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.

The post PCA Partners to Offer Cigar Retailers Financial Services first appeared on Tobacco Reporter.

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.”

The post Louisiana Caps Cigar Taxes at 50 Cents Each first appeared on Tobacco Reporter.

“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.

The post Gran Habano’s Rico Named to PCA Board first appeared on Tobacco Reporter.

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.

The post CAA Seeks New Definition of “Premium Cigar” first appeared on Tobacco Reporter.

“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.

The post Cigar Associations Team to Commission Study on Tax Cap Policies first appeared on Tobacco Reporter.

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.

The post CAA Reports U.S. Cigar Imports Down 8.7% first appeared on Tobacco Reporter.

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.”

The post U.S. Tops List for Importing Dominican Cigars first appeared on Tobacco Reporter.

PMI said following a thorough review and after taking into account the current environment, it will not shed the cigar unit it acquired as part of its $16 billion purchase of rival Swedish Match. It has previously said it wanted to dispose of US cigars as it continues to pin its future on a shift toward smoke-free alternatives to traditional tobacco products.

The company said strong sales of Zyn nicotine pouches — also acquired from Swedish Match — were driving performance as it boosted adjusted earnings per share guidance this year to as much as $7.49, compared with a previous targeted high of $7.17.

The smoke-free business includes Zyn and IQOS heated tobacco sticks and accounted for 42% of the first-quarter total net revenue. Philip Morris wants to generate more than two-thirds of its sales from alternative products by 2030.

The post PMI Halts U.S. Cigar Sale first appeared on Tobacco Reporter.

• PCA 2026 — New Orleans Morial Convention Center (April 17-20)
• PCA 2027 — Las Vegas Convention Center West Hall (March 5-8)
• PCA 2028 — Las Vegas Convention Center South Hall (March 3-6)
• PCA 2029 — New Orleans Morial Convention Center (TBA)

The PCA says nearly 6,000 people registered to attend this year’s event, making it the largest cigar-focused event in the world. The annual PCA Convention & Trade Show is an industry event where companies that sell cigars, cigar accessories, and other adjacent products exhibit.

The post PCA Announces Next Four Shows first appeared on Tobacco Reporter.

AJ Fernandez to Release New World Decenio at PCA25 | PCA

Byron 175th Anniversary to Debut at PCA 2025 | halfwheel

Caldwell Releasing New The King is Dead Escape Plan at PCA 2025 | halfwheel

Caldwell Bringing Long Live the King Mad Mofo Habano to PCA 2025 | halfwheel

Camacho Limited Edition 2025 Slated for June | halfwheel

New Cigars For PCA From E.P. Carrillo | Cigar Aficionado

Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Collaborates With La Gloria Cubana | Cigar Aficionado

Ceniza Fina Announces Connecticut Line | halfwheel

Crowned Heads Launching Broadway Line | Cigar Aficionado

Deadwood Dominicana Shipping Next Week | halfwheel

Diesel Launching Limited Edition Backyard Barbecue Series Pullk | halfwheel

Diesel Whiskey Row Founder’s Collection Raceking Shipping in May | halfwheel

Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust Unveils 2025 Releases Ahead of 10-Year Milestone | PCA

El Rey del Mundo Introduces Appointment Line | Cigar Aficionado

Emilio Cigars Limited Edition Static Releasing at PCA25 | PCA

Espinosa Re-Upping 601 La Bomba Warhead 1 and Warhead 6 Releases | halfwheel

Espinosa Cigars Expands Knuckle Sandwich Line with All-Nicaraguan Puro | PCA

Fratello Cigars Launches Puro Collection | Cigar Aficionado

Foundation Cigar Company Expands The Wise Man with New Lanceros | PCA

J.C. Newman Dives Into History Books for New Sarzedas Line | halfwheel

La Flor Dominicana Making Changes To Original Blend | Cigar Aficionado

Luciano Cigars Crafts Limited Edition Maria Lucia for PCA 2025 | halfwheel

Gold & Bullet Cigars And Accessories From The OpusX Society | Cigar Aficionado

Perdomo Cigars Announces Upcoming Perdomo Legacy Release | PCA

A Romeo y Julieta Made Just For The Kentucky Derby | Cigar Aficionado

Room101 Celebrates a Decade of Johnny Tobacconaut with Limited Edition Release | halfwheel

The post Cigar Brand Wrap-Up first appeared on Tobacco Reporter.