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The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has floated tariffs of up to 100% on certain imports from Nicaragua and a possible suspension of CAFTA-DR preferences. Nicaragua’s premium-cigar ecosystem — anchored by Estelí, Jalapa, and Condega — and its network of smallholder farms would feel the first shockwaves. (Reuters coverage)

California has taken another bold and controversial step in tobacco regulation with the introduction of the Unflavored Tobacco List (UTL) — an official roster of tobacco products approved by the California Attorney General’s Office as “unflavored under the law.”

For years, premium cigar makers in the United States and abroad have watched anxiously as regulatory pressures mounted. The Food and Drug...

Few debates stir the cigar industry as much as the question: what exactly qualifies as a “premium cigar”? For consumers, the answer may seem straightforward—handmade, carefully blended, and crafted with whole-leaf tobacco. But in the legal and regulatory arena, the definition carries major consequences. From tax obligations to FDA oversight, how “premium” is defined shapes the future of manufacturers, retailers, and smokers alike.

The premium cigar industry has always been a fascinating balance of tradition and market evolution. In 2025, that balance has tilted toward growth and resilience, as new data confirms that handmade cigars are once again seeing an increase in U.S. imports. For enthusiasts, retailers, and producers alike, this is more than just a statistic—it’s a sign that the culture and craft of cigars remain firmly woven into global luxury markets.