On October 8, U.S. District Judge Mónica Ramírez Almadani denied the premium cigar industry’s request for a temporary restraining order (TRO) that sought to delay California’s Unflavored Tobacco List (UTL) filing deadline. The decision, based on procedural grounds rather than the merits of the case, leaves the October 9 deadline in place.
The broader legal challenge to the UTL regulation, filed October 3, will continue through the courts. In the meantime, state officials have reiterated that applications submitted by the deadline are the only way to ensure products are considered for inclusion on the initial UTL, expected to be published by December 31, 2025. Late applications may still be accepted but are not guaranteed for the first release, potentially complicating product sales and distribution.
The California Attorney General’s office also filed a formal opposition to the industry’s request for a preliminary injunction. Legal counsel for the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) is reviewing the filings and says it will continue to pursue available legal options to challenge the regulation.
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