TobaccoReporter logo

Tag: cigar

  • Cuban Cigar Company Repurposing Tobacco Waste

    Cuban Cigar Company Repurposing Tobacco Waste

    The Lázaro Peña Cigar Company in Holguín, part of Cuba’s Tabacuba Group, is turning industrial waste into a key resource to reduce costs and diversify production, the Cuban News Agency reports. Its reconstituted tobacco plant—Cuba’s first—repurposes cigarette dust and central leaf veins into reusable raw material for cigar blends, adding weight and volume while cutting the need for new inputs.

    The initiative supports sustainability by maximizing industrial byproducts, reducing pressure on agricultural land, and creating environmentally friendly materials. The company is also working with Holguín and Moa universities to develop tobacco-based products like tabaquina insecticide, and uses compost from waste to fertilize gardens that supply its workers’ cafeteria.

    Other recycled materials, such as leftover paper, are repurposed for educational resources at the Los Criollitos Children’s Center. Lázaro Peña’s efforts have earned the company multiple awards, including Cuba’s Quality Award and recognitions in Light Industry and Innovation at Expo Caribe 2025.

  • PCA Fighting N.J. Bill to Hike Premium Cigar Taxes

    PCA Fighting N.J. Bill to Hike Premium Cigar Taxes

    The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) launched a campaign urging lawmakers to reject New Jersey Senate Bill No. 4820 that would increase the tax on premium cigars from 30% to 50% of the wholesale price. The PCA says the tax hike is “punitive” and “disproportionate,” with retailers saying the proposal unfairly targets adult consumers of premium cigars, who already face some of the highest tobacco taxes in the region.

    Introduced by Senator Joseph Vitale (D–Middlesex) on November 6, the bill would also expand taxation on other nicotine products, including e-liquids used in vaping devices. Opponents, however, warn that the legislation would devastate New Jersey’s specialty cigar shops, many of which are small, family-owned businesses, as higher taxes would drive consumers to neighboring states or online retailers.

  • Industry Veteran Escalona Joins Don Emmanuel Cigars

    Industry Veteran Escalona Joins Don Emmanuel Cigars

    Don Emmanuel Cigars announced that Carlos Escalona, a longtime veteran of Davidoff of Geneva, has joined the company to help steer its growth and expansion. The move is a significant step for the emerging premium cigar brand, according to its founder, Brazilian Master Cigar Sommelier Don Emmanuel.

    The connection was made through legendary blender Eladio Díaz, who collaborated with Don Emmanuel to craft the brand’s debut Anunnaki line—an artisanal collection featuring seven tobaccos, including a rare Dominican wrapper.

    “To see someone like Carlos Escalona believe in what we’re creating is deeply meaningful,” said Emmanuel. “Eladio and I built these cigars with soul and precision. Carlos brings the same dedication and understanding of what true luxury represents.”

  • PCA Partners to Offer Cigar Retailers Financial Services

    PCA Partners to Offer Cigar Retailers Financial Services

    The Premium Cigar Association announced a new preferred vendor partnership with JeisonGermanGroup, in collaboration with NewtekBank, to offer specialized banking and lending solutions tailored for premium cigar retailers.

    Led by CEO Jeison German, the firm brings financial expertise and custom strategies to support PCA members, with access to services including business banking, loans from $5,000 to $15 million, POS and payment processing solutions, and support for insurance, payroll, HR, and IT.

    This initiative aims to strengthen financial stability and support business growth within the premium tobacco industry.

  • Louisiana Caps Cigar Taxes at 50 Cents Each

    Louisiana Caps Cigar Taxes at 50 Cents Each

    Louisiana joined Arkansas and North Carolina in implementing a cigar tax cap, putting a 50-cent ceiling on each cigar. Passed by the state legislature and signed into law by Governor Jeff Landry, the measure will take effect January 1, 2026.

    Sponsored by Rep. Marcus Bryant, the law applies to cigars wholesale priced at $2.50 or more, which includes virtually all premium handmade cigars. Those under that threshold will continue to be taxed at 20% of the wholesale price.

    The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) praised the legislation, calling it a victory for small businesses and cigar consumers. PCA, which held its annual trade show in New Orleans in 2025 and returns for 2026, provided testimony and advocacy support alongside local Louisiana tobacconists and distributors.

    “This positive development in Louisiana is yet another indicator of how the state is supporting its small business community and their patrons,” said PCA executive director Joshua Habursky. “The economic impact of the New Orleans-based trade show was shared with the legislature, as was the positive impact of cigar tax caps throughout the nation. We appreciate the support of the legislature and Governor Landry with this positive step.”

  • Gran Habano’s Rico Named to PCA Board

    Gran Habano’s Rico Named to PCA Board

    Today (June 12), the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) announced the appointment of George Rico of Gran Habano as an associate member on the PCA Board of Directors. The board position opened last week when Max Bichler resigned from his position at Rocky Patel Premium Cigars and the PCA board.

    “Per the association by-laws, the current board of directors had the duty to appoint a good-standing member to fill the role,” the PCA said in a statement. “Based on his experience, service on PCA committees, and overall participation and support for the Premium Cigar Association, the board of directors selected George Rico of Gran Habano to serve the remainder of the three-year term from 2025 to 2028.”

    Originally from Medellín, Colombia, Rico has worked in the cigar industry for over 28 years and is the founder, along with his father, Guillermo Rico, of Gran Habano Cigars. “He is renowned for his craftsmanship and dedication to producing high-quality, artisanal cigars. In addition to his cigar blending and manufacturing expertise, Rico is a fourth-generation tobacco farmer with operations in countries like Colombia, Nicaragua, and Honduras,” the PCA said.

  • CAA Seeks New Definition of “Premium Cigar”

    CAA Seeks New Definition of “Premium Cigar”

    The Cigar Association of America (CAA) has submitted a revised definition of “premium cigar” in its ongoing legal battle with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Filed June 6 as part of Cigar Association of America et al. v. United States Food and Drug Administration et al., the brief marks a shift from the working definition previously agreed upon by Judge Amit P. Mehta, the Premium Cigar Association (PCA), and Cigar Rights of America (CRA).

    Mehta, CRA, and PCA have been satisfied with an eight-point working definition, however earlier this year the CAA said it was opposed. Last week in its brief, the CAA said it “does not agree that the definition suggested by the agency and adopted in the Court’s previous rulings is the proper definition of a premium cigar, or that it was properly adopted. That organization’s proposed definition is reflected in the comments it submitted in response to the Proposed Rule.”

    The CAA proposed modifying the definition to a five-point standard: that is wrapped in whole tobacco leaf; contains a 100% leaf tobacco binder; made by manually combining the wrapper, filler, and binder; has no filter, tip, or non-tobacco mouthpiece, and is capped by hand; and weighs more than six pounds per 1,000 units.

    CAA’s proposed five-point standard omits language prohibiting characterizing flavors and allows for machine-assisted production. It also lowers technical requirements for filler content. The FDA, CRA, and PCA must respond to the proposed changes by July 7.

  • Cigar Associations Team to Commission Study on Tax Cap Policies

    Cigar Associations Team to Commission Study on Tax Cap Policies

    Today (June 10), the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) and the Cigar Association of America (CAA) announced they are collaborating on a national study of cigar tax cap policies enacted and planned throughout the nation. The PCA and CAA have commissioned Goss & Associates, led by Dr. Ernie Goss, who serves as chair in regional economics at Creighton University, to undertake the study. Goss has published more than 100 studies on economic forecasting and on statistical analysis of business and economic trends.

    “This is a first-of-its-kind study that should produce a historic perspective on cigar tax policy, coupled with an analysis that charts a path forward in the states,” PCA executive director Joshua Habursky said. “Having a study produced by an economist of Dr. Goss’s acclaim is a testament to how serious PCA and CAA are on this pressing issue as we initiate this project.” 

    The study will evaluate the effectiveness of cigar tax caps as a matter of state policy and the direct and indirect economic impact of premium cigars for each state, including local, state, and federal taxes.

    “Since 1977, the CAA economic and statistics program has provided actionable insights to support industry advocacy,” CAA president Scott Pearce said. “Currently, we find ourselves having to defend existing tax caps, as well as working to advance new cap bills, in addition to addressing reform of statutes in some states.  And in this regard, research and substantiated data are the number one requests of state legislatures. CAA is excited to be partnering with PCA to further progress our advocacy with this new study.” 

    The study results are expected to be released in 2025.

  • CAA Reports U.S. Cigar Imports Down 8.7%

    CAA Reports U.S. Cigar Imports Down 8.7%

    The Cigar Association of America (CAA) reported the U.S. imported 48.4 million premium cigars in the first two months of 2025, an 8.7% decrease from the previous year. The decline was not due to tariffs, which were announced in April, but are believed to be part of the ever-adjusting post-pandemic market.

    The three major cigar exporters all saw declines, with the Dominican Republic down 4.1%, Nicaragua (which accounts for more than half of the market) down 9.3%, and Honduras down 19.3%. Those three producers account for 99% of handmade, premium cigar shipments to the United States.

    “January’s imports are typically anemic compared to the other 11 months of the year, oftentimes less than half of some of the peak import numbers that occur in the second half of the calendar,” Charlie Minato wrote for Halfwheel. “While imports have cooled off from their peak in 2020-2022, the U.S. imported 430 million premium cigars in 2024, up more than 90 million units compared to pre-pandemic levels.”

    According to the CAA, the market increased from 338 million handmade cigars in 2019 to 465 million in 2022.

  • U.S. Tops List for Importing Dominican Cigars

    U.S. Tops List for Importing Dominican Cigars

    Iván Hernández Guzmán, the director of the Tobacco Institute of the Dominican Republic, recently offered a breakdown of the nation’s cigar export market, which he said this year will top $1.3 billion with products going to 148 countries.

    Hernández Guzmán said the United States is by far the biggest importer of Dominican cigars, accounting for 74.3% of the market at $906 million. Purchasing power, culture, and relatively low tariffs on premium cigars make the U.S. an attractive market, he said.

    The next highest importers are China $74 million (5.53%) and Germany $60 million (4.45%), followed by Belgium $26 million (1.93%), Nicaragua $22 million (1.63%), Puerto Rico $18 million (1.31%), and Spain $15 million (1.21%).

     “The tobacco of the Dominican Republic is considered a country brand and is recognized for its premium cigars that are highly appreciated nationally and internationally,” Hernández Guzmán said. “So from the government and the private sector, we are working for its greater promotion, expansion, and support.”