As the 2026 legislative session begins to take shape, shipping regulations are emerging as a growing threat in tobacco control efforts targeting premium cigars. With mail-order sales accounting for roughly 50 percent of all premium cigar purchases, proposals to restrict or prohibit shipping would significantly limit how and where adult consumers can access premium cigars.

Hawaii & Connecticut: The Starting Point for Shipping Regulation

Hawaii served as an early indicator of where the regulation of shipments could be headed. In 2023, the Hawaii legislature, with the support of Governor Josh Green, enacted legislation imposing new compliance requirements on the shipment of premium cigars and other tobacco products into the state. Those requirements proved sufficiently burdensome that many online retailers ceased shipping premium cigars in Hawaii, effectively eliminating mail-order access for consumers.

More recently, lawmakers in Connecticut advanced this trend by introducing HB 7275 and HB 7181, which would have directly prohibited the shipment of premium cigars into the state. Unlike Hawaii’s approach, which established a compliance framework for shipping, the Connecticut proposals sought an outright ban. Through direct engagement during the committee process, CRA worked with legislators to remove premium cigars from the bills. While both measures ultimately failed, they offer a clear signal of the direction in which shipping regulations are moving.

Illinois House Bill 4250

Illinois was the first state to introduce shipping-related legislation for the 2026 session with HB 4250, sponsored by Representative Maurice West. The bill would define “remote retail sale” and “remote retail seller,” create new licensing requirements, apply the state’s existing 45 percent tobacco tax rate to remote transactions, and subject remote sellers to the same recordkeeping standards as in-state retailers. While these requirements are not prohibitive, they add another regulatory layer for online retailers to comply with.

The Broader Legislative Outlook

Taken together, Hawaii’s restrictions in 2023, Connecticut’s push for restrictions last year, and Illinois’ approach this year illustrate how shipping regulations are increasingly being used as a policy mechanism to regulate premium cigars and tobacco products. As additional states convene for the 2026 session, similar proposals are likely to surface in varying forms. CRA will continue to monitor these efforts and engage with lawmakers to ensure that premium cigars are clearly distinguished within evolving regulatory frameworks, and we will work to protect this important channel for all premium cigar retailers.

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