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  • 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.

  • Tobacconist University Launches E-Commerce Platform for Retailers

    Tobacconist University Launches E-Commerce Platform for Retailers

    Tobacconist University (TU) has unveiled TUECOM, a fully customizable e-commerce platform built exclusively for Certified Retail Tobacconists. The standalone system is designed to give brick-and-mortar retailers full ownership of their online stores, offering a streamlined way to compete in the premium cigar mail-order market without relying on third-party platforms.

    The $6,500 package includes a custom-designed website with cigar filtering tools, Certified Cigar Reviews, a rewards program, built-in credit card processing, age verification, and advanced promotional features. Retailers also receive hosting and security for the first year, SSL certification, backups, and access to TU’s product image and description database for six months. Launch time averages four to six weeks, with optional POS integration available.

    Annual maintenance runs about $4,000, covering hosting, plugin updates, and card certification. TU emphasizes that while e-commerce requires ongoing effort, it can extend the reach of tobacconists by serving out-of-town and repeat customers. The program is open only to TU Certified Tobacconists, with priority given to CRTs. Interested retailers can contact Tobacconist University directly for enrollment, and Premium Cigar Association members may qualify for discounted TU certifications.

    For more information, click here.

  • PCA Appoints Ricardo Carioni as Director of International Affairs & Education

    PCA Appoints Ricardo Carioni as Director of International Affairs & Education

    Today (August 11), the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) announced the appointment of Ricardo Carioni as its new director of international affairs and education. “This position signals the PCA’s continued commitment to advancing premium cigar advocacy, education, and global engagement,” the organization said in a press release.

    Carioni’s career spans over 18 years across seven countries, where he has lived and worked in senior roles. He served as head of development at Casa Turrent, chief operating officer of Tor Imports—the leading premium cigar distributor in Great Britain—and CEO of Gesinta, Spain’s foremost distributor of premium cigars. He is also the co-founder of The Cigar Academy, an educational institution that fosters knowledge and appreciation of premium cigars. He is also a former deputy ambassador and official representative of Nicaragua to the United Nations Maritime Organization, and worked for several multilateral institutions in the coffee, sugar, and cocoa sectors.

    “Ricardo is a catalyst who brings a ton of energy and passion to any project,” said says Joshua Habursky, executive director of the PCA. “His expertise will allow the PCA to refine existing projects and help service our growing membership ranks. He will be working in a versatile role to help grow membership outside of the United States, create programs for U.S. retailers in the Caribbean Basin, and develop universal education programs for all membership categories.”

  • 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.

  • PCA Talks “Beautiful Bill’s” Impact on U.S. Cigar Industry

    PCA Talks “Beautiful Bill’s” Impact on U.S. Cigar Industry

    With the Trump Administration’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” now signed into law, the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) reached out to its members who have spent years frustratingly in a sort of limbo where cigars are sometimes but sometimes not treated like cigarettes or other tobacco products. The PCA said the Act introduces important policy shifts that provide both immediate benefits and notable challenges to premium cigar retailers.

     “On the positive side, PCA members will see immediate advantages from a temporary regulatory freeze on new FDA and HHS rules,” the statement said. “This provides retailers with temporary relief from new compliance burdens, enhancing short-term operational stability. Additionally, the Act significantly increases the small business tax deduction on qualified business income from 20% to 23%. This improvement directly benefits small and family-owned cigar retailers by lowering their overall tax liability, allowing more resources to be invested back into their businesses.  

    “While the Act provides meaningful short-term benefits, it also necessitates proactive management of new challenges. Strategic advocacy, ongoing economic analysis, and member education will be key in leveraging the opportunities and mitigating potential risks posed by these legislative changes.”

    Read the full statement here.

  • 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.”