Cigar Association of America

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Cigar Association of America

The Cigar Association of America (CAA) is the leading national trade association of the entire cigar industry.

06/18/2026

The most pronounced declines in 2025 occurred in mass market large ci**rs.
Lower-priced ci**rs saw the largest drops, while higher-priced segments remained relatively stable. The contrast in performance across segments continues to become more evident.

06/16/2026

Total large cigar imports fell to 7.77 billion ci**rs in 2025, down 6% year over year.
The decline is concentrated in lower-priced ci**rs, while higher-value segments remained comparatively stable. This divergence highlights how different parts of the category are performing.

06/12/2026

2025 import data tells a clear story: the U.S. cigar market remained stable, but underlying dynamics are shifting. Large cigar volumes declined, while little ci**rs (+7%) and cigar leaf imports (+13%) increased, signaling continued activity across the supply chain.

Taken together, the data points to a market that is holding steady overall, with performance increasingly tied to product mix and value.

06/10/2026

Year-end 2025 import data shows a U.S. cigar market that remains stable overall, with differences emerging across segments. Total large cigar volumes declined, while little ci**rs and cigar leaf imports increased, reflecting continued activity across the broader market.

Higher-value segments remained comparatively steady, reinforcing the role of product mix and pricing in shaping overall performance.

06/04/2026

CAA's inaugural Legislative & Policy Conference concluded with the Congressional Cigar Caucus.

CAA members joined PCA and CRA for a Congressional Cigar Caucus meeting where CAA member Greg Fox, President and CEO of Best Cigar Prices, Best Cigar Pub and Alliance Cigar, led a discussion for Members of Congress on the economics of the online market and how it supports businesses across the supply chain.

06/02/2026

Illinois legislature adopts $0.75 tax cap for ci**rs. Special thanks to CAA’s team in Illinois: Ryan Taylor, Mark Taylor, Rebecca Gordon and Litesa Wallace for carrying this project over the finish line! Beginning January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2029 excise tax on ci**rs will be capped at 75 cents per cigar. Illinois currently taxes ci**rs at 45% of wholesale price. CAA is advancing the industry through better tax policy.

The IL tax cap is a foundational achievement secured through the strength of CAA’s advocacy strategy, legal expertise and member engagement.

05/29/2026

Wednesday's sessions at CAA's inaugural Legislative & Policy Conference in Washington D.C. covered issues spanning the entire cigar business, from legislative risk to market performance.

Mitch Langer, Vice President of Sales and Operations at Nuvo Company, which operates Premium To***co Payment Processing, addressed a growing operational threat: payment processors are exiting the to***co vertical, and that businesses across the supply chain need to understand the compliance, tax, and deployment considerations involved in securing reliable payment processing systems.

Adam Hoffer of the Tax Foundation put a specific number on the state tax environment: to***co tax increases were proposed in 37 states in 2026, with active legislation still running in 14 of them.

Matt Dogali drew on his experience with alcohol regulation to discuss strategy options the cigar industry has in today's regulatory environment.

CAA's Dan Cotter delivered the data: premium large ci**rs remained the market's most stable segment in 2025, Q1 2026 confirmed that trend, and a 13% rise in cigar leaf imports signals industry confidence in forward production.

Charlie Cook closed with political analysis of the 2026 elections and what shifting party control of the House and Senate could mean for the to***co industry's priorities in Washington, D.C.

The day concluded with a Capitol Hill visit, staying connected to the lawmakers whose decisions directly affect this industry.

05/27/2026

CAA Chairman of the Board Terry Gallagher Jr. has been named a 2026 inductee into the Convenience Store News Hall of Fame, recognized in the retailer category by a blue-ribbon panel of convenience channel executives.

Gallagher is CEO of The Cigarette Store Corp., the parent company of Smoker Friendly, To***co Depot, Smoke N Go, and Gasamat, with 344 stores across 13 states. He founded The Cigarette Store Corp. in 1991 and Smoker Friendly International in 1993, building what began as a Colorado family business into one of the largest to***co retail operations in the country.

Now in its 40th year, the CSNews Hall of Fame recognizes retailers and suppliers who have shaped the convenience channel. Gallagher joins a distinguished class of past inductees selected for their lasting impact on the industry.

Congratulations, Terry.

05/21/2026

CAA's inaugural Legislative & Policy Conference is underway in Washington, D.C.

The Q2 Board Meeting convened yesterday afternoon at CAA's Washington, D.C. offices. With active legislative battles running in state capitols and a federal regulatory calendar that continues to demand attention, the board covered the advocacy, financial, and operational decisions that keep the association's work moving on behalf of its members.

Last night's welcome reception at Casa de Montecristo drew a great crowd, with ci**rs and hospitality to welcome the companies and people who make up our industry.

05/14/2026

Adam Hoffer, Director of Excise Tax Policy at the Tax Foundation, joins the CAA Legislative and Policy Conference on May 20 in Washington, D.C. with a timely read on state tax trends, revenue shortfalls, and the warning signs cigar businesses should be watching.

Hoffer holds a PhD in Economics and has published extensively on excise tax policy. His work tracks to***co taxation closely in the policy world, making his session directly relevant to anyone running a cigar business in today's legislative environment.

Learn more about the conference: https://ci**rsusa.org/caa-legislative-and-policy-conference-2026/

**rs

Address

525 9th Street, NW, Suite 375
Washington D.C., DC
20004

Telephone

+12022238204

Website

http://www.cigarsusa.org/

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