PCA | March 23, 2023

PCA POSITION/STRATEGY

The Premium Cigar Association is actively working with state associations, retailers, and coalition partners to introduce and support tax cap legislation in the states. The goal of this state legislation is to reduce the tax burden on retailers and consumers, alike, and to create a robust marketplace to sell premium cigars. The association aims to support legislation that can provide relief to the most number of products sold by our retail members, and to use the available definitions of cigars, that can best suit the legislative climate in a given state. The “large cigar” tax definition encompasses the most number of products, but because of it’s inclusion of non-premium machine made and flavored cigars, the use of this definition is not acceptable in every state. To pursue tax relief in more challenging legislative environments, the association will utilize the definition of “premium cigars” used by the Judge Amit Mehta opinion in Cigar Association et al v. Food & Drug Administration. Tax caps for premium cigars are essential in promoting a robust brick and mortar marketplace, especially in states with challenging tobacco tax and regulatory environments. 

[Washington, DC — Tue, March 21, 2023] The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) announced today the hiring of Antoine Reid as its new Director of Content. In this new role, Reid will be responsible for overseeing content creation and production for PCA’s various platforms, utilizing PCA’s unique industry position to connect content with retailers, manufactuers, and consumers. In addition, Reid will leverage high-quality content to engage consumers to raise PCA’s profile to enhance comsumer engagement in grassroots advocacy efforts. Antoine’s first day is Tues., March 21.

Hudson, NH- Spring Training is in full swing and with our national pastime’s opening day around the corner it is the perfect time for the Big Papi Firecracker to step back into the batter’s box. Featuring a dark, rich Mexican wrapper grown in the San Andres Valley, the Big Papi Firecracker explodes with flavor right from the start. Returning for MLB’s Opening Day, the Big Papi Firecracker is back as part of United Cigars collaboration project with Artista.

March 14, 2023 — Black Works Studio (BLK WKS) will begin shipping the Limited Release, S&R, and the new RORSCHACH SUMATRA. Both are hand crafted at Fabrica Oveja Negra in Esteli, Nicaragua.

[Washington, DC — Tue, March 14, 2023] The Premium Cigar Association has completed its initial analysis of the Proposed Rule for Tobacco product Manufacturing Practices published in the Federal Register on March 10th, 2023. The nearly 300-page document contains several provisions that will affect the “business of specialty tobacco retailing” both domestically in the United States and commerce internationally. Because a federal court has held that the FDA acted arbitrarily and capriciously in deeming premium cigars subject to the Act, it is the PCA’s position that FDA lacks jurisdiction to apply this rule to premium cigars. The PCA will urge the agency, and if necessary, the courts, to make clear that the proposed rule should not, cannot, and will not reach premium cigars. Furthermore, the proposed rule has several fundamental flaws in it that would inordinately harm smaller manufactures and lead to overall market contraction that would limit the products offered on retail shelves.

LAMPERT CIGARS has begun shipping “FAMILY RESERVE 2022”, a 6 x 52 TORO, to retailers.

Dunbarton, NH – Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust® (DTT) is currently taking pre-orders for “Krakatoa”, its newest addition to their much-heralded Muestra de Saka line. The deadline for pre-orders is Friday, March 24th, 2023.

[Washington, DC — March 10, 2023] The Premium Cigar Association submitted a comment to the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) in response to their solicitation of feedback on “Broadening Public Engagement in the Federal Regulatory Process”.

LAMPERT CIGARS will be unveiling its newest line – Edición MORADO and it has started shipping to select shops. The widespread release is expected in mid-April.

We are writing to inform you of a bill that has been introduced in the Texas State Senate, SB 920. This bill aims to ban the sale of flavored tobacco products, including cigars with a so-called “characterizing flavor” other than tobacco. We believe this would have a negative impact on our industry and our ability to enjoy these products.

We strongly urge you to read the PCA’s position statement on flavor bans to fully understand the potential harm this bill could cause. We also urge you to use the link below and contact your state elected officials and express your opposition to SB 920.

We must act now to protect our industry and the options of consumers to purchase and enjoy premium cigars and pipe tobacco.

Thank you for your support.

Hudson, NH- The tide is rolling in, and with it comes four new sizes of Red Anchor for 2023. Originally launched in 1772, Red Anchor was created by Albertus Hillen Sigarenfabriek in Delft, Holland. The brand was passed down through the family until 1890 when it was sold to Martinus Holland who continued to expand the brand into a tin format through the early 1900s until the brand went out of business in 1937. In 2022, United Cigars reignited the 250 year old brand with a familiar Dutch connection, the Kelner Family, at Hendrik Kelner Jr.’s Kelner Boutique Factory in the Dominican Republic.

The premium cigar and pipe tobacco industries have long been targets of organizations seeking to restrict or eliminate the use of tobacco in society. This paper will examine some of the tactics used by these groups in their efforts to marginalize industry producers, retailers, and consumers. These tactics include conflation of data, prohibition and virtue signaling. Finally, the paper will examine how these organizations fundraise on the decades-long decline in tobacco use while publicly perpetuating the notion of an ongoing crisis. By analyzing these tactics and strategies, this paper aims to shed light on the challenges facing the premium cigar and pipe tobacco industries and to offer insights into how it can successfully navigate these challenges.

DATA CONFLATION

“Those who smoke cigars heavily or inhale deeply also increase their risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. (…) Cigar smoking has many similar consequences as cigarette smoking”^[1]

An interesting claim but let us look at the facts. The NASEM report, released March of 2022, stated “Conclusion 5-5: There is strongly suggestive evidence that health consequences of premium cigar smoking overall are likely to be less than those smoking other types of cigars because the majority of premium cigar smokers are non-daily or occasional users and because they are less likely to inhale the smoke.” ^[2]

Tampa, FL, Feb 2023. One of the hottest brands in the industry just got hotter!  Introducing, West Tampa Tobacco Company Red!

Like its predecessors, White & Black, Red delivers a flavor bomb with enhanced body that is a perfect addition to the West Tampa line-up.  From mild to full bodied, creamy to spicey, West Tampa now offers something for everyone.

(Esteli, Nicaragua) – Muestra is the humble, common Spanish word for “sample;” however, it takes on much more important, sometimes reverential, meaning when used in a handmade cigar factory. A muestra is the vision of the ligador and torcedor realized, it is the promise of a new experience and possibly the key to financial success for the fabrica. Muestras are hoarded and coveted by not only their makers, but by the cigar smokers who seek to catch a glimpse into the cigar maker’s soul within their smoke.

Muestra de Saka is just that. A line of unique blends and vitolas made in extremely limited quantities that reflect the blending machinations of Mr. Saka. To smoke a Muestra de Saka is to embark upon a journey with him in which he greatly welcomes your companionship.

(Hialeah Gardens, FL) … Espinosa Premium Cigars is proud to announce the release of the Espinosa Wasabi Lancero. The Wasabi Lancero, joins the Wasabi Robusto and Wasabi Corona as a seasonal production release for Espinosa Premium Cigars.

Said Erik Espinosa, “The Wasabi brand continues to grow. It is consistently mentioned as one of the best candela cigars in the market. We are proud of how well it has done and are always looking to come up with new experiences for our consumers.”

“I smoked a lot of candela before working on the Wasabi, it was a real challenge, but I am proud to see that the brand continues to flourish. It’s a good cigar, not a novelty, and now for the second time since we introduced it in 2016, we have added another vitola. This lancero is special, truly a format that we excel with at La Zona Factory.” said Hector Alfonso.

The Espinosa Wasabi Lancero is rolled in the traditional 7½ x 38 size, with candela wrapper over Nicaraguan fillers and binder. The Wasabi Lancero was blended by Espinosa Premium Cigars, and hand-rolled at the La Zona Factory in Esteli, Nicaragua.

February 21, 2023 — Black Label Trading Company will be debuting the release of Santa Muerte to its core line at this year’s TPE 2023 in Las Vegas.  Visit Booth 1059 for the display.  Like all BLTC products, Santa Muerte is hand crafted at its own Factory, Fabrica Oveja Negra in Esteli, Nicaragua.

Miami, FL – February 20, 2023–HumidifGroup has developed special experiences for all attendees of Pro Cigar, the Dominican Cigar Festival that welcomes local and international cigar enthusiasts. Two of the Pro Cigar boxes, which will be given at the welcome and gala dinners, incorporate an NFC tag powered by the HGTag platform, to engage with cigar enthusiasts. This will provide users with information and background on each of the cigars being featured.

Washington, D.C. – The The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) is calling on all cigar retailers, consumers and those who care about the future of the premium cigar sector in California to join in opposing Assembly Bill 935, introduced by California Assemblymember Damon Connolly.

Hudson, NH- Erin Go Bragh! St. Patrick’s Day is going to have a spark this year with the introduction of the St. Patrick’s Firecracker collaboration with All Saints Cigars at TPE 2023. Saint Patrick is known as the patron saint of Ireland and the Feast of St. Patrick, also known as St. Patrick’s Day, is held on March 17. United Cigars could not think of a better way to salute this year’s festivities than a commemorative United Firecracker collaboration with All Saints Cigars!

Fort Lauderdale, FL – (February 13, 2023)

Alec Bradley Cigar Company announced today that the Limited Edition Black Market Filthy Hooligan Barber Pole and Filthy Hooligan Shamrock cigars are now shipping to appointed tobacconists.

Ocala, FL – Operation: Cigars For Warriors is proud to announce the release of the new book “Rookie to Aficionado” from Adam Guard of the Dreamer Cigars podcast. 10% of proceeds will benefit CFW and a
discount is available for CFW Donation Centers interest in purchasing copies. For more information on how to get the book in your shop please contact Adam at 513-505-7029 or email him at adam@dreamernational.com