Legal Compliance

FDA Compliance - Sua Altezza 24kt Gold Leaf Cigars
At Sua Altezza, we are committed to adhering to all applicable regulations set forth by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), as amended by the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. Below, we outline our compliance with FDA regulations for the manufacture, import, packaging, labeling, advertising, promotion, sale, and distribution of our premium Sua Altezza 24kt Gold Leaf Cigars.

About Sua Altezza Cigars
Sua Altezza 24kt Gold Leaf Cigars are premium cigars, handcrafted with high-quality tobacco and distinguished by their unique 24kt gold leaf embellishment and exotic leather rings. As a premium cigar brand established in 2014, we prioritize quality, craftsmanship, and compliance with all relevant regulations to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for our customers.

FDA Regulatory Oversight
The FDA regulates tobacco products, including cigars, under the FD&C Act. While a 2023 U.S. District Court ruling vacated the FDA’s authority to regulate premium cigars (Cigar Association of America v. FDA, No. 16-cv-01460), Sua Altezza voluntarily complies with certain FDA guidelines to promote transparency and consumer safety. The following sections detail our compliance efforts.

1. Age Restrictions
In accordance with federal law, Sua Altezza restricts the sale and distribution of our cigars to individuals aged 21 and older. We implement age verification processes for all online and in-person purchases to ensure compliance with the federal minimum age requirement, as amended on December 20, 2019. Retailers and distributors partnering with Sua Altezza are required to verify customer age using government-issued identification to prevent sales to minors.

2. Health Warning Statements
Although the FDA’s health warning requirements for cigars (21 CFR §§ 1143.3 and 1143.5) were vacated by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in 2023, Sua Altezza voluntarily includes health warning statements on our cigar packaging and advertisements to inform consumers of potential health risks. Our packaging, excluding the gloss black display chest, may feature one or more of the following warnings when applicable:
WARNING: Cigar smoking can cause cancers of the mouth and throat, even if you do not inhale.
WARNING: Cigar smoking can cause lung cancer and heart disease.
WARNING: Cigars are not a safe alternative to cigarettes.
WARNING: Tobacco smoke increases the risk of lung cancer and heart disease, even in nonsmokers.
WARNING: Cigar use while pregnant can harm you and your baby.
WARNING: This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical.

For cigars sold in small packages, we provide point-of-sale signage with these warnings, as outlined in FDA guidance for small-packaged cigars. Retailers receiving our products from licensed importers or distributors are not in violation of labeling requirements if the packaging is unaltered and supplied by a TTB-licensed entity.

3. Ingredient Listing and Harmful Constituents
Sua Altezza submits ingredient listings to the FDA for all tobacco products, as required for manufacturers and importers. Our cigars are crafted with 100% tobacco filler and leaf wrappers, with no characterizing flavors other than tobacco, in compliance with the FDA’s proposed product standard to prohibit non-tobacco flavors in cigars (2022). We also provide data on harmful and potentially harmful constituents (HPHCs) when requested by the FDA, ensuring transparency in our manufacturing process.

4. Manufacturing and Importing Compliance
Sua Altezza works with licensed customs brokers, to facilitate the importation of our cigars from Costa Rica. We hold a Florida Tobacco Products Wholesale Dealer Permit, as required for commercial resale in the United States. Our import processes comply with U.S. Customs Service regulations, including the accurate completion of PS Form 2976-A for commercial shipments.

5. Retail and Distribution Requirements
Sua Altezza partners with luxury cigar lounges to distribute our cigars. Retailers are provided with compliant packaging and point-of-sale materials to ensure adherence to federal and state regulations. We prohibit the use of modified risk claims (e.g., “light,” “low,” or “mild”) without FDA authorization.

6. Advertising and Promotion
All Sua Altezza advertising and promotional materials comply with FDA regulations, including restrictions on marketing to individuals under 21 and the inclusion of voluntary health warnings in advertisements. We ensure that our unique features, such as the 24kt gold leaf and exotic leather rings, are promoted responsibly without making unsubstantiated health claims.

7. Compliance with State and Local Laws
In addition to federal regulations, Sua Altezza complies with state-specific tobacco laws, including those in Florida, where we operate. In Florida, we maintain a Tobacco Products Wholesale Dealer Permit and a surety bond. We also navigate state-specific shipping restrictions, such as those in Utah, Hawaii, and California, where our premium cigars may exempt us from certain flavored tobacco bans but not from shipping prohibitions.

8. Contact Us for Compliance Inquiries
For questions about our compliance with FDA regulations or to report concerns, please contact our compliance team at:
Sua Altezza Cigars
PObox 570122
Orlando, FL 32857
contact@sua-altezza.com
Alternatively, you may contact the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) at:
Phone: 1-877-CTP-1373
Email: AskCTP@fda.hhs.gov
Address: Center for Tobacco Products, Food and Drug Administration
10903 New Hampshire Ave.
Silver Spring, MD 20993  
For detailed FDA resources, visit www.fda.gov/tobacco-products.

9. Commitment to Public Health
Sua Altezza recognizes that cigar smoking carries health risks, as noted by the FDA, including delivering up to 10 times the nicotine, twice the tar, and five times the carbon monoxide of a filtered cigarette. We are dedicated to promoting responsible use by adult consumers and providing clear, accurate information about our products. Our voluntary compliance with warning labels and other FDA guidelines reflects our commitment to consumer safety and regulatory transparency.