As 2025 draws to a close, it’s worth pausing to take stock of what this year tells us about the state of the premium cigar industry—and the forces shaping its future.

This has been one of the most consequential years the industry has faced in some time, not because of any single crisis, but because of the way multiple pressures converged at once. Trade policy, regulatory uncertainty, and state-level experimentation all collided, testing the resilience of an industry that is both deeply traditional and increasingly misunderstood.

Early in the year, renewed tariff threats exposed just how fragile global supply chains can be when geo-political decisions intersect with trade and human rights considerations. For small, family-owned manufacturers—many of whom rely on generations-old production methods—those pressures were existential. Through close collaboration with industry partners, we were ultimately able to secure an exemption for Nicaraguan premium cigars from the USTR investigation, but the episode underscored a larger truth: these debates are rarely just about trade. They’re about whether policymakers recognize the difference between mass-produced commodities and artisanal products rooted in culture, labor, and place. Thanks to diligent advocacy efforts, thoughtful Administration officials, and the unwavering support of our CRA members, we were successful in our efforts to exempt premium cigars from what could have been an irretrievable loss.

At the same time, the long-running legal battle over what constitutes a “premium cigar” continued to move through the federal courts. That question may sound technical, but it sits at the heart of nearly every regulatory dispute the industry faces. Definitions, after all, determine who bears the cost of regulation—and who survives it.

Nowhere has that been clearer than in California, where the state’s Unflavored Tobacco List has become a test case for how broadly regulators are willing to cast the net. What began as an effort framed around enforcement efficiency has evolved into a framework that risks sweeping premium cigars into regulatory regimes never designed for them. Similar dynamics are playing out across the country, as lawmakers pursue broad tobacco policies that often fail to account for meaningful distinctions within the category.

Against this backdrop, Cigar Rights of America has stayed focused on a simple but demanding mission: to protect premium cigars, defend the family-owned businesses that produce them, support the retailers embedded in their communities, and stand up for adult consumers who choose these products responsibly. One way in which we distinguish ourselves and achieve this primary directive is in our first class data collection apparatus. 2025 saw the inception of new programs and consultant relationships to further enhance the quality of epidemiological and economics datasets we utilize in our education and lobbying campaigns across a multitude of Executive branch agencies, Congressional committees and offices, and State Houses across the land.

Looking ahead to 2026, there’s little reason to expect the pace to slow. State legislatures are likely to grow more active, with targeted proposals on taxes, statutory definitions, smoking bans, and so-called “endgame” policies that will require sustained attention. At the federal level, we will continue pressing for the passage of H.R. 2111, the premium cigar exemption bill, while remaining prepared to respond to any renewed efforts to regulate premium cigars through the FDA or other agencies.

None of this happens on its own. Advocacy at this scale requires time, resources, and long-term commitment—and it’s only possible because of the support of our members, donors, and industry partners.

To those who stood with Cigar Rights of America this year, thank you. Your support doesn’t just fund advocacy; it strengthens the credibility and reach of our voice at every level of government. And to those who have not yet joined us, we invite you to do so. The challenges ahead are real, but so is the opportunity to ensure this industry remains independent, resilient, and respected.

On behalf of our board and the entire CRA team, I wish you and your family a happy and healthy holiday season. We look forward to continuing this work together in the year ahead.

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