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Tag: PCA

  • PCA Announces New Board

    PCA Announces New Board

    The Premium Cigar Association announced the results of its latest Board of Directors election, with Brandon Hayes of Renegade Cigars in Dallas, Paul Copeland of Shore Thing Cigars (Florida and Alabama), and Michael Frey of the CigarBox in Las Vegas, elected to new three-year terms. Teresa Wessling of Georgetown (D.C.) Tobacco and Christian Eiroa of C.L.E. Cigars were re-elected to additional terms. The newly elected directors will be formally approved by the association’s membership on April 16 at the PCA 2026 trade show in New Orleans.

    PCA leadership said the association recorded its strongest membership, attendance, and revenue growth in a decade in 2025 and noted increased participation in this year’s board election.

  • Calif. Court Denies Injunction for Cigar Companies in UTL Suit

    Calif. Court Denies Injunction for Cigar Companies in UTL Suit

    A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge denied a request by premium cigar manufacturers and trade groups to block enforcement of California’s Unflavored Tobacco List (UTL) requirements. On Monday, January 12, Judge Cherol J. Nellon rejected the plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction in Rocky Patel Premium Cigars Inc. et al. v. Bonta, a state court case challenging emergency regulations tied to Assembly Bill 3218. The lawsuit was brought by Rocky Patel Premium Cigars, Cigar Rights of America, the Premium Cigar Association, and six other cigar manufacturers.

    The plaintiffs argued that the regulations impose duplicative and burdensome SKU-by-SKU submissions on premium cigars that they contend are already unflavored under federal law. Judge Nellon found the plaintiffs were unlikely to succeed on the merits and failed to show irreparable harm.

    The case stems from California’s creation of the UTL to enforce the state’s 2020 ban on most flavored tobacco products, requiring tobacco items to be approved for sale in the state. Plaintiffs sought to exempt “premium cigars” from the UTL, relying on a federal definition developed through FDA litigation, but the court held that the regulations lawfully apply to all tobacco products subject to the statute and do not exceed the attorney general’s authority. Nellon noted that the legislature chose a different approach to defining premium cigars and that the UTL rules are reasonably aimed at distinguishing unflavored products from prohibited flavored ones. This state ruling follows similar denials of relief in related proceedings and is separate from a parallel federal lawsuit involving the same parties and law but different legal claims.

  • PCA’s Tips for Posting Industry-Related Material on Social Media

    PCA’s Tips for Posting Industry-Related Material on Social Media

    The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) published an article focused on posting tobacco-related content on social media, saying Meta (the parent company of Facebook and Instagram) has intensified enforcement around content linked to regulated industries, increasingly limiting the reach and visibility of posts even when they do not clearly violate written policies. Much of this tightening, the article says, is driven by automated and AI-based moderation systems and evolving internal standards, resulting in reduced feed placement, recommendation blocks, or suppressed exposure without clear warnings. While this creates challenges, accounts are still able to post if they adapt their approach to align with Meta’s enforcement environment.

    The PCA advised shifting away from direct product promotion toward lifestyle, educational, and community-focused content, while avoiding explicit sales language, pricing, or calls to purchase. Using neutral captions, lifestyle imagery, and modest hashtags can help reduce enforcement risk, though inconsistencies remain common. Given the unpredictability of social platforms, businesses are also encouraged to diversify communication by strengthening owned channels such as websites, email newsletters, SMS lists, and in-store engagement, with storytelling and education proving most effective for sustaining audience connection.

  • PCA26 Registration Opens

    PCA26 Registration Opens

    The Premium Cigar Association announced that registration is open for its trade show, taking place April 17–20 in New Orleans. Open exclusively to current 2026 PCA members, the event will bring together manufacturers, retailers, and industry partners for four days of business, education, networking, and advocacy, with opportunities to discover new products, strengthen industry relationships, and take part in PCA’s highly anticipated return to one of its most popular host cities. Full details are available at pcashow.org.

  • 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.

  • PCA Extends CEO Habursky Through 2031

    PCA Extends CEO Habursky Through 2031

    The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) extended the contract of executive director Joshua Habursky for five years, securing his governance through 2031. Habursky, who also serves as CEO, will continue overseeing the trade association’s operations and assets, including its Washington, D.C., office.

    Board president Todd Naifeh praised Habursky’s leadership, citing record membership and revenue growth, while vice president Paul Groh highlighted his forward-looking approach, including early planning for the PCA’s centennial in 2033. Since joining in 2019, Habursky has overseen initiatives such as the PCA Alliance program, an FIU educational partnership, and the launch of the World Cigar Show.

    At its fall meeting in Washington today (September 10), the Board also promoted Antoine Reid to senior director of marketing and communications and announced plans to hire an additional communications manager in early 2026.

  • PCA Launches Premium Retailer Finder

    PCA Launches Premium Retailer Finder

    The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) introduced “Find Your Tobacconist,” a new interactive store locator on its website that enables enthusiasts to discover nearby premium tobacco retailers that are current PCA members. By leveraging geolocation and an intuitive map interface, the feature makes it easier than ever to support local brick-and-mortar tobacconists.

    Visit premiumcigars.org/find-your-tobacconist to use the locator.

  • TPE and PCA Join Forces for TPE26

    TPE and PCA Join Forces for TPE26

    Total Product Expo (TPE) announced a partnership with the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) today (September 2) for TPE26 to “enhance industry advocacy and education.” The collaboration will feature sessions led by PCA Executive Director Joshua Habursky, focusing on regulatory awareness and product knowledge for retailers, manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers.

    “Education is the foundation of effective advocacy,” said Habursky. “By understanding both policy and product, our industry becomes more resilient and united.”

    TPE26 will be held March 31–April 2, 2026, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. PCA26 follows April 17–20, 2026, in New Orleans.

    For more information, visit totalproductexpo.com and pcashow.org.

  • PCA, FIU Launch Luxury Marketing Program on Premium Cigars

    PCA, FIU Launch Luxury Marketing Program on Premium Cigars

    The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) and Florida International University’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management announced a luxury marketing and experiences program focused on premium cigars, being held November 19-21, in Miami.

    The three-day executive course will cover event marketing, celebrity collaborations, retail strategies, and regulatory challenges, with speakers from the cigar, spirit, and luxury sectors. PCA CEO Joshua Habursky said the initiative aims to professionalize the premium cigar industry within the broader hospitality field. Graduates will earn a certificate of completion.

    Enrollment is open through November 5 at hospitalityexed.fiu.edu.

  • PCA Pushes Back on California “Unflavored Tobacco List”

    PCA Pushes Back on California “Unflavored Tobacco List”

    The Premium Cigar Association (PCA), joined by the Boutique Cigar Association and the newly formed California Premium Cigar Association, has filed comments opposing emergency regulations from the California Attorney General’s Office that would create an “unflavored tobacco list” following the state’s flavored tobacco ban.

    The PCA criticized the emergency designation as unjustified, arguing that premium handmade cigars do not pose youth access or public health risks comparable to other tobacco products. The group also raised concerns over the high costs, vague definitions, and extensive documentation requirements the rules would impose, potentially forcing small businesses and specialty cigar shops out of the market.

    “These regulations and fees are a needless and costly burden to our manufacturer and retail partners, that will have no affect on youth access, protection of public health, or enforcement of the existing flavor tobacco ban,” said Glynn Loope, PCA’s Director of State Advocacy, warning the policy sets a “horrible national precedent.”

    California retailers echoed those concerns, warning the rules could reduce brand availability, eliminate limited editions, and shrink consumer choice. PCA said it will continue monitoring the regulatory process and work with allies on next steps.

    You can view PCA’s filed comment on California’s Proposed Unflavored Tobacco List Emergency Regulations by clicking here.