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Category: News This Week

  • U.S. Premium Cigar Imports Top 430M

    U.S. Premium Cigar Imports Top 430M

    The Cigar Association of America (CAA) released its annual report today, indicating that U.S. imports of handmade, premium cigars rose 0.9% last year, going from 426.3 million in 2023 to 430 million in 2024. It appears that the pandemic created a second cigar boom, as imports have exceeded 400 million units for four years in a row, a 27% increase from 2019’s 338 million cigars. The market has cooled slightly, however, from its record years of 2021 and 2022, where imports were 453.9 million and 464.5 million, respectively.

    Nicaragua accounts for 58.8% of U.S. cigars, shipping 253.1 million cigars in 2024, a 2.7% increase over the previous year. The Dominican Republic shipped 106 million cigars, a 1.8% decrease from 2023, followed by Honduras’ 67.4 million cigars, a 3.3% increase. Those three countries account for 99% of the U.S. cigar supply.

    Costa Rica saw a 44.9% jump in the number of cigars it sends to the U.S., and at 2.5 million units is the only other producer to top the 1 million mark.

    The CAA generates this data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. Customs Services, and from cigar companies themselves. The numbers include estimates that remove large, machine-made cigars from the premium category.

  • Latvian Officials Make Arrests in Cigarette Counterfeiting Ring

    Latvian Officials Make Arrests in Cigarette Counterfeiting Ring

    The Latvian News Agency reported that since December 2024, the State Border Guard has been conducting a criminal investigation against an organized crime syndicate producing counterfeit cigarettes in the towns of Ludza, Riga, Rezekne, and Daugavpils that have led to numerous searches, seizures, and arrests. Police believe this illegal production has been ongoing for 10 years.

    Last week, a total of 32 people were detained, including 25 Ukrainians who were arrested at a factory in Ludza where they were producing counterfeit cigarettes to be passed off as Marlboro, Prince, Winston, and LM cigarettes. That raid seized 300 million cigarettes and 47 tons of shredded tobacco leaves, as well as property worth €13 million and a fleet of refurbished retro-luxury cars.

    Had the illegal cigarettes ended up on the Latvian market, officials said the total loss to the state would have been more than €75 million.

  • Essex Vape Shop Closed for 3 Months for Selling Illicit Vapes

    Essex Vape Shop Closed for 3 Months for Selling Illicit Vapes

    The Mellow Yellow Vape Shack in south Essex, England, was ordered to close for three months after being caught selling counterfeit tobacco and illegal vapes by Thurrock Council’s trading standards team in February. The team, accompanied by sniffer dog Lily, found large quantities of counterfeit cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco hidden in the shop, along with illegal vapes that came in packaging targeting children or that were more than 10 times the legal tank size.

    This is the second time the shop has been caught selling illegal products in less than six months. The Basildon Magistrates Court ordered the shop to remain closed for three months and for Amir Ahmadi to pay £4,665.67 in costs.

    “Let this be a message to any business that thinks it can cheat and endanger its customers by selling counterfeit and illegal goods,” said Victoria Holloway, councilor responsible for place and the environment. “Our trading standards team will find you and the full force of the law will be used to hold you to account.”

  • Indiana Bill Allows Vendors to Sell Cigars at Events

    Indiana Bill Allows Vendors to Sell Cigars at Events

    A bill would allow tobacco vendors in Indiana to obtain a three-year supplemental cigar sales certificate, allowing them to sell cigars at an event on a temporary basis, passed through the Senate today (April 9) by a vote of 41-8. House Bill 1468, authored by State Rep. Kyle Miller, will head to the governor’s desk following a concurrence vote in the House.

     “I am thrilled to see my legislation pass through the Senate,” Miller said. “HB 1468 will help many small businesses that sell cigars across our state by allowing them to vend at public events. This legislation will ensure that our businesses are engaging with their communities and can promote their trade outside of their shops. 

    “Passing this bill is a great step taken by the legislature to foster entrepreneurship in Indiana by promoting our small businesses. As a small business owner myself, I’m proud to fight for legislation that encourages entrepreneurship in our state.”

  • Grizzly Nicotine Pouches Increase NASCAR Sponsorship

    Grizzly Nicotine Pouches Increase NASCAR Sponsorship

    Kaulig Racing announced yesterday (April 7) an expansion of its partnership with Grizzly Nicotine Pouches for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. Grizzly will become the primary sponsor on Kaulig Racing’s No. 16 Chevrolet with driver AJ Allmendinger for four NASCAR Cup Series races, beginning with the April 13 event at Bristol Motor Speedway.  Additional events will be the April 27 Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway, the July 27 Brickyard 400 Presented by PPG at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and the August 10 Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International.

    Grizzly Nicotine Pouches is part of American Snuff Company LLC (ASC), an affiliate of iconic R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. Grizzly Nicotine Pouches are a tobacco leaf-free product available nationwide. Allmendinger’s teammate, Kaulig Racing’s Ty Dillon debuted the Grizzly Nicotine Pouches partnership at the 2025 Daytona 500 as part of a nine-race sponsorship. 

    “When we got the chance to further our partnership with Kaulig Racing and now AJ [Allmendinger], we did not hesitate for a second,” said Brent Trader, Senior Director, Brand Marketing American Snuff Company. “We are more than happy with the relationship we have with Kaulig Racing and the entire No. 10 team. We felt like this was a great opportunity for us to get even more exposure for the brand with adult consumers who love NASCAR as much as we do.”

  • Washington Lawmakers Take Another Shot at Banning Flavors

    Washington Lawmakers Take Another Shot at Banning Flavors

    Efforts to ban flavored tobacco products in the state of Washington were revived Monday (April 7), as a bill to do so got a House committee hearing after the effort was previously assumed dead. Lawmakers rolled out twin bills aimed at nearly every product that contains tobacco or nicotine.

    House Bill 2068 and its Senate counterpart, SB 5803, call for a statewide ban on the sale of all flavored tobacco and nicotine products (e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco, hookah, cigars, menthols, nicotine pouches, and menthol cigarettes). They also call for an extra $2 in tax on every pack of cigarettes. If passed, Washington would leap into the top tier of states with the highest cigarette taxes, going from $3.025 per pack to $5.025. The tax would be tied to inflation and adjusted every three years to keep pace with rising costs. Other tobacco and vapor products, including alternative nicotine options like nicotine pouches, would also see steep tax hikes, up to 95% of the product’s taxable sales price.

    “These products don’t contribute to the social well-being of our communities,” said Rep. Kristine Reeves, the bill’s main sponsor. “They definitely don’t contribute to the health and well-being of our children. And I would love for you to join me in helping find a path forward to make sure that the next generation is not getting hooked on tobacco.”

    Reeves pushed similar restrictions in another bill this session which failed to move forward.

  • Miami Cigar Launches New Brand: Outcast Cigars

    Miami Cigar Launches New Brand: Outcast Cigars

    Miami Cigar & Co. announced the launch of a new brand, Outcast Cigars, which will debut at this year’s PCA25 trade show. It said, “the brand is built for those who defy the norm, embrace boldness, and live on their own terms.”

    Outcast Cigars will feature a rare Brazilian Cubra wrapper, a hybrid of Cuban-seed Corojo—often called Brazilian Habano—paired with a spicy Ecuadorian Sumatra binder and premium Dominican filler. “The resulting cigar is a complex, smooth, and unforgettable smoke with notes of cedar, hay, and chocolate,” the company said.

    “We created this cigar for those who defy the norm and embrace the journey less traveled,” said Jason Wood, vice president of sales and marketing for Miami Cigar. “Outcast Cigars forges its own path—bold, unapologetic, and destined for greatness. Outcast Cigars isn’t just a smoke; it’s a statement.”

    Presale begins at PCA 2025 with shipping slated for June 2025. Outcast Cigars will be available in four sizes (Robusto 5×50, Corona Gorda 6×47, Toro 5.5×54, and Gran Toro 6×58), each packaged in sleek 10-count boxes.

  • ALP Announces Two Online Partners for Pouches

    ALP Announces Two Online Partners for Pouches

    ALP Supply Co. LLC announced yesterday that it entered into a one-year agreement to use Nicokick and Northerner as its preferred online distribution partners in the U.S. for its nicotine pouches. ALP is a new venture jointly owned by Turning Point Brands and Tucker Carlson Network (TCN), while Nicokick and Northerner are both owned by Haypp Group.

    “As the leading online retailer for nicotine pouches, we’ve seen firsthand which products resonate with adult consumers,” said Sarah Krysalka, Senior Director of Commercial Partnerships and External Affairs at Haypp Group. “Based on our consumer research, we know ALP is set to be a huge success, and we’re proud to be ALP’s preferred online partner. This partnership not only expands ALP’s reach but also strengthens our commitment to meeting the evolving needs of adult consumers by providing a range of modern nicotine alternatives to traditional tobacco products.”

    One of the newest brands on the market, ALP nicotine pouches come in three strengths—3mg, 6mg, and 9mg—and four flavors, Chilled Mint, Mountain Wintergreen, Refreshing Chill, and Tropical Fruit. A limited introductory price will be available in both online stores.

    “The ALP movement is already proving unstoppable in the industry. Now, with our preferred online partnership with Nicokick and Northerner, even more adult consumers will have access to the best nicotine pouch in the market,” ALP co-founder Tucker Carlson said. “Shipped directly to doors, this partnership makes it easy for our fans. Nicokick’s loyalty program also offers our most enthusiastic customers more rewards.”

  • Rob Maneson Named CCO of Casa 1910

    Rob Maneson Named CCO of Casa 1910

    Yesterday (April 7), Casa 1910 announced the hiring of cigar industry veteran Rob Maneson to be its new global chief commercial officer.

    “Rob’s deep industry experience and strategic mindset will be instrumental in taking Casa 1910 to new heights,” said Serge Bollag, co-founder of Casa 1910, in a press release. “We are excited to have him on board as we continue to expand and share our passion for premium cigars with the world.”

    Most recently, Maneson was the president of the Americas for League of Fat Bastards Cigars, and previously was with Imperial Brands, serving as the head of the company’s two retail arms, Casa de Montecristo and later JR Cigar.

    “I’m thrilled to be joining Casa 1910, a brand that is redefining what it means to be a premium cigar company with deep Mexican heritage,” said Maneson. “The company’s commitment to craftsmanship and innovation aligns perfectly with my passion for building brands and growing businesses in the premium cigar space. I look forward to working with the team to expand Casa 1910’s reach worldwide.”

  • Spain Gets First-Ever Juan Lopez Cigar

    Spain Gets First-Ever Juan Lopez Cigar

    For the first time in Cuba’s Regional Edition program, a Juan Lopez cigar is being exclusively made for Spain. The Juan Lopez Cincuenta y Cuatro, which translates to the number 54 in Spanish, refers to the cigar’s relatively thick ring gauge, measuring 4 3/4 inches by 54 ring gauge.

    The cigars have a suggested retail price of €22 each or €220 per box of 10, and only 50,000 boxes are being produced. According to Spain’s official Habanos distributor, Tabacalera S.L.U., these are medium-to-full-bodied cigars.

    “Once a much larger brand, the now small Cuban Juan Lopez line consists of only a few regular-production sizes, and only sees new releases through limited editions, anniversary humidors or Regional Editions such as this,” Gregory Mottola wrote for Cigar Aficionado. “One of the cigar’s defining details is its band. The Cincuenta y Cuatro does not have the traditional Juan Lopez band found on the core line, but is adorned with a customized variation made just for this release. The central motif is different, emphasizing the name of the cigar. And two gold medals have been added to each side, one depicting the original Juan Lopez design and the other, an embossment of the Palace of the Captains General, a Colonial Baroque building located in Old Havana.”