Tobacco retailers challenge news reports on roll-your-own, pipe tobaccos

(CSP) The International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) is challenging news reports regarding the labeling switch of some roll-your-own (RYO) tobacco brands to pipe tobacco by their manufacturers to avoid tax increases, as well as to claims that pipe tobaccos, which have been flavored for more than five centuries, are designed to appeal to minors. ... Among other increases on tobacco products, the new RYO taxes jumped 2,000% per pound. RYO tobacco sales have plummeted while pipe tobacco sales are on the rise. Gary Pesh, president of the IPCPR and owner of a chain of retail tobacco stores in Virginia, said he believes it is due, in small part, to the label switch, but mostly because many consumers who roll their own cigarettes are simply using pipe tobacco, which, because of lower taxes, is less expensive than RYO tobacco. Continued

Photo: International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR)