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Tag: Smoker Friendly

  • Smoker Friendly Moves Events to Wyoming in 2026

    Smoker Friendly Moves Events to Wyoming in 2026

    For the first time, the Smoker Friendly Conference and Tobacco Festival (SFCTF) and the Rocky Mountain Cigar Festival will be held outside Colorado, relocating to Cheyenne, Wyoming, in 2026. Organizers said the move reflects a long-term strategy tied to Wyoming’s business- and tobacco-friendly regulatory environment. Held July 30-31, SFCTF will celebrate its 30th anniversary while RMCF will mark its 17th year.

    Both gatherings will take place back-to-back at the Little America Hotel & Resort, creating a multi-day hub for retailers and consumers. SFCTF will focus on Smoker Friendly’s network of roughly 700 authorized retail stores with seminars, networking, and a trade show, followed by RMCF, which is expected to draw around 2,500 cigar enthusiasts and more than 100 vendors for a consumer-facing festival. Organizers say the relocation underscores how the regulatory climate increasingly influences where large-scale premium tobacco events are held.

  • 22nd Century Reports Momentum for VLN Products

    22nd Century Reports Momentum for VLN Products

    22nd Century Group touted early sales momentum for its VLN low-nicotine cigarettes, distributing approximately 8,800 cartons to about 1,700 new retail outlets nationwide in the fourth quarter of 2025, with initial sell-through data indicating growing adoption across its 22nd Century VLN, Pinnacle VLN, and Smoker Friendly VLN brands. The company said expanding retail placement across convenience stores, wholesalers, and independent chains supports its plan to exceed 5,000 points of distribution in 2026.

    22nd Century positioned its progress alongside regulatory developments, including a January 2025 proposed rule by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to cap nicotine levels in cigarettes at 0.7 mg per gram of tobacco, and broader global support for nicotine reduction under the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

  • CAA Elects Terry Gallagher as New Chairman

    CAA Elects Terry Gallagher as New Chairman

    The Cigar Association of America (CAA) announced that Terry Gallagher, Jr., president of Smoker Friendly tobacco outlets, has been elected chairman of the association, succeeding Javier Estades. Gallagher, Jr. brings decades of experience in the premium cigar and tobacco sectors and assumes leadership as the association continues its advocacy and industry-support efforts.

    CAA president Scott Pearce praised Estades for his nine years of service, during which the association strengthened federal and state advocacy, expanded policymaker engagement, and became a leading voice on tobacco issues. Estades will remain on the Board.

    The Board also elected new officers: Eric Newman (Vice Chair), Carrie Freed (Treasurer), and Henry Roemer (Secretary). Gallagher, Jr. emphasized collaboration with the leadership team to advance cigar-specific regulation, protect adult consumers, and preserve the heritage of premium cigars.

  • Smoker Friendly Announces Promotions in Accounting Department

    Smoker Friendly Announces Promotions in Accounting Department

    The Cigarette Store LLC, the parent company of Smoker Friendly, announced the promotions of Cameron Schwehr to vice president of Finance and Accounting, and Jon Gallagher as controller. The two have worked together since 2021.

    Schwehr previously worked in public accounting for 14 years, primarily as an auditor and consultant with nonprofit, construction, and retail companies. He worked with Smoker Friendly as a contractor for six of those years before being hired as Controller in 2021.

    Jon Gallagher, nephew to Smoker Friendly president Dan Gallagher, CEO Terry Gallagher Jr., and senior vice president of Governmental and External Affairs Mary Szarmach, continues to contribute to the legacy of Smoker Friendly’s founding family with his new appointment. He joined Smoker Friendly as an entry-level accountant in 2008, and advanced to accounting analyst, lead analyst, and assistant controller before accepting his latest promotion

    “I’m excited for both Cameron and Jon to take this next step, leading our finance and accounting team, and they will be integral members of our strategic management group,” Dan Gallagher said. “Both have shown tremendous dedication and work ethic in their respective careers with Smoker Friendly.”

  • Dan Gallagher President Smoker Friendly

    Dan Gallagher President Smoker Friendly

    Credit: Smoker Friendly

    The Cigarette Store, which operates as Smoker Friendly, announced on Monday that Dan Gallagher will be its new president, effective April 17.

    Gallagher has worked for the fuel and tobacco retailer since it was founded in 1991 and has been its executive vice president and chief operating officer since 2012. He’ll continue in those roles as he takes on the additional title of president, according to a press release.

    Gallagher is replacing his brother Terry Gallagher Jr. as the president of Smoker Friendly. Terry Gallagher will remain the CEO and chairman of the board of the family-owned company.

    Terry Gallagher Jr.

    “Dan has been instrumental in the growth of Smoker Friendly since its inception and key in establishing the great culture we have in this company,” Terry Gallagher Jr. said in the release. “Those of you who have worked closely with Dan know he is very deserving of this role and extremely capable of leading this company.”

    Smoker Friendly’s change at the president level comes during a busy period for the company, which is coming off a 54-store acquisition in March. Those locations, formerly Bob’s Discount Tobacco Shops in Indiana, are being rebranded to Smoker Friendly stores.

    Boulder, Colorado-based Smoker Friendly owns and operates 342 stores across 13 states. The Cigarette Store is the largest tobacco store retailer in the U.S., operating a mix of tobacco stores, cigar lounges, liquor stores, and fueling locations under the Smoker Friendly, Tobacco Depot, Smoke ’N Go, Havana Manor, and Gasamat banners.

  • Smoker Friendly Acquires Low Bob’s Locations

    Smoker Friendly Acquires Low Bob’s Locations

    Credit: Smoker Friendly

    The Smoker Friendly chain of retail stores announced it is acquiring 54 Low Bob’s Discount Tobacco locations in Indiana.

    The Cigarette Store, LLC, parent company of Smoker Friendly, announced its acquisition of Richmond Master Distributors, Inc., the owner of Low Bob’s Discount Tobacco. The stores will be rebranded as Smoker Friendly locations.

    There are 344 Smoker Friendly locations across 13 states, as well as independently owned stores within the Smoker Friendly network. The company has its own private-label brands and operates the Rocky Mountain Cigar Festival, according to Charlie Minato of Halfwheel.

    “We are very pleased to welcome the Low Bob’s team to the Smoker Friendly family,” said Terry Gallagher Jr., CEO of Smoker Friendly, in a press release. Pat and Scott Carrico and the Richmond Master team have been longtime friends and leaders in the tobacco outlet channel. We are fortunate to make this acquisition and strengthen our Smoker Friendly footprint in Indiana, bringing our store count to 80 in the state.”