Growing the Business
of Specialty Tobacco Retailing

Founded in 1933 as the Retail Tobacco Dealers of America, the PCA is the largest, most active, and longest-running trade association which represents specialty tobacco retailers, and supports manufacturers and partners in the industry.

What we do

PCA membership gives you and your business a direct connection to every facet of the industry, providing exceptional opportunities for networking and growth, offering business support, advocacy, education and year-round buying opportunities.

Protect

We protect our members against onerous, business-killing regulations & taxes, to help them thrive and grow.

Advocate

We amplify voices while providing a positive
effect on the political process for the future
of the industry.

Support

We strengthen business relationships through our trade show, b2b offerings, and professional development tools.

Promote

We provide a connection to every facet of the industry through networking, b2b offerings, and events.

Latest Industry News

Beats and Blends: The Story Behind Escobar Cigars

What do you get when you take a couple of committed cigar enthusiasts turning their passionate hobby into a business, ally them with two of the world’s top cigar producers making their cigars, and...

New Member Highlight: Black River Tobacco Co., Dunn, North Carolina

Premium Cigar Association (PCA): Tell us about your shop.Frank D’Alesio:  The Black River Tobacco Company started in 2021 out of a passion for cigar smoking, spending time with friends and family,...

Big Sky Cigar Co.: Telling the Montana Cigar Story

If you had to pick a state with a rich tradition of cigar manufacturing, dating back to the early 20th century, Montana might not be the first one to leap to mind. And yet, as Big Sky CEO Jess...

Smoke, Lies, and Government Overreach: The Truth About the War on Premium Cigars

In an age where facts are routinely sacrificed on the altar of political expediency, the latest campaigns targeting premium cigars in Louisiana and Detroit offer a masterclass in emotional...

What We’re Smoking: H. Upmann by AJ Fernandez Toro

Cigar: H. Upmann by AJ FernandezSize: ToroSmoke time: 1 hour, 35 minutes Appearance & AromaThe gorgeous blue and gold band is only the first in a list of amazing qualities this cigar has to...

Member Benefits: Continuing Education Opportunities

Continuing Education Opportunities Proper training and education are key to success in most industries, and the premium tobacco industry is no exception. A retail tobacconist needs to know a number...

PCA Retailer & Manufacturer Survey, Quarter 1, 2025

PCA Retail Survey Results (Qtr. 1, 2025) *112 PCA retailer members anonymously surveyed1. Compared to 2023, did you do better, the same, or worse during the 2024 holiday season? Better: 50.90% About...

The Cigar Women Who Lead

When I was first elected to the PCA board of Directors, I had the goal to provide a space for women in the cigar and pipe industry to get together to network and share ideas. That was the first step...

Seize the Day: Keeping Pipe Smoking Alive

I wonder if anyone recalls what I wrote in this space just three short months ago, in a column I titled “The Smoker in Winter.”  I wrote, “The best things in life are ephemeral. (Well, the best...

The Villainous Archetypes

If you are a retailer reading this column for the first time as a PCA member at our 2025 trade show in New Orleans, don’t judge these musings too harshly. My intent is not to bash our revenue...

PCA Tariff Bulletin

The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) understands the uncertainty regarding the potential impacts that increased tariffs might have on its members. PCA shares the concerns of its members and provides...

PCA and CAA Commission Study on Tax Cap Policies

Today, the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) and Cigar Association of America (CAA) announced that they are collaborating on a national study of cigar tax cap policies enacted and planned throughout...

PCA Applauds FDA’s Withdrawl of Flavored Cigar Ban

The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) commends the recent decision by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to withdraw its proposed Tobacco Product Standard for Characterizing Flavors in Cigars...

Global Trade Alert

[Update – October 3, 2024] Joint Statement Regarding Master Contract: “The International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance, Ltd. have reached a tentative agreement...

New Certain Tobacco Age-of-Sale Requirements Go Into Effect

September 30, 2024, marks the beginning of new certain tobacco age-of-sale requirements. As of this date, retailers must verify with a photo ID the age of anyone who is under the age of 30 who is...

FDA Issues Final Rule for Tobacco 21

At long last, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) has released its Final Rule for implementing T-21, including requirements for age verification of patrons...

PCA Objects to New Zealand’s Smokefree Environments Bill

[Mon, August 22, 2022 — Washington, DC] Today, the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) submitted evidence to be considered by the New Zealand Parliament in an effort to revise the Smokefree...

Court Blocks FDA Product Approval Requirements for Premium Cigars

In the case of Cigar Association of America, the Premium Cigar Association, and Cigar Rights of America v. United States Food and Drug Administration et al., Judge Amit P. Mehta of the...

Rep. Meuser Hosts Cigar Policy Roundtable

Congressman Dan Meuser (PA-09), Co-Chairman of the Congressional Cigar Caucus, hosted a Cigar Policy Roundtable to provide Members of Congress insight on how proposed policies and regulations would...

US Court of Appeals Unanimously Strikes Down Warning Labels

Washington, DC, July 7, 2020 —The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) and Cigar Rights of America (CRA) are pleased that a unanimous panel of the United States Court of Appeals for...

Louisiana Passes Cigar Tax Cap Legislation

With the leadership of a few state tobacconists and distributors, the state of Louisiana has become the third southern state to enact a cigar tax cap, following Arkansas and North Carolina. The new...

State Advocacy 2025 Outlook

As we anticipate the 2025 state legislative sessions, the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) is steadfast in its commitment to advocate for and protect the rights of premium cigar retailers across the...

2025 Crystal Ball: PCA Prepares for State Legislative Sessions

It’s that time of year. Pumpkins, holidays, leaves changing, and…the filing of a few hundred pieces of legislation that could impact the premium cigar and pipe industry. The Premium Cigar...

New Certain Tobacco Age-of-Sale Requirements Go Into Effect

September 30, 2024, marks the beginning of new certain tobacco age-of-sale requirements. As of this date, retailers must verify with a photo ID the age of anyone who is under the age of 30 who is...

2023 Premium Cigar Association Year in Review

This past year was another terrific year in which we were able to utilize the momentum of the tremendous 2022 to propel our organization and the industry to a whole new level. As we look forward to...

PCA Endorses Wisconsin Cigar Bar Legislation

This week, the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) endorsed new legislation that would allow cigar bars in Wisconsin for the first time since 2009. Assembly Bill 451 removes the date, June 3, 2009, by...

PCA Leadership: Thank you for Supporting Victory Against the FDA

Last week we have achieved something that many thought we never could: VICTORY over the deeming rule and the FDA’s overreaching efforts to stifle our industry, livelihoods, and our passion! Whether...

The FDA’s Final Deeming Rule is Vacated: What Does That Mean?

“The FDA’s Final Deeming Rule is vacated insofar as it applies to premium cigars.” But what does that mean? The given court ruling has implications related to a legal case involving Plaintiffs and...

Dayton Considers Discriminatory Tax on Tobaccos Users

The city of Dayton, Ohio, is considering imposing a monthly surcharge on its non-classified employees who use tobacco products starting January 1, 2026. This proposed ordinance aims to set...

PCA Appeals to the White House on UPS and Teamsters Negotiations

The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) has joined over 200 organizations in signing a letter to the White House that raises awareness of the importance of the negotiations between UPS and the...

New Certain Tobacco Age-of-Sale Requirements Go Into Effect

September 30, 2024, marks the beginning of new certain tobacco age-of-sale requirements. As of this date, retailers must verify with a photo ID the age of anyone who is under the age of 30 who is...

FDA Issues Final Rule for Tobacco 21

At long last, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) has released its Final Rule for implementing T-21, including requirements for age verification of patrons...

PCA Objects to New Zealand’s Smokefree Environments Bill

[Mon, August 22, 2022 — Washington, DC] Today, the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) submitted evidence to be considered by the New Zealand Parliament in an effort to revise the Smokefree...

Court Blocks FDA Product Approval Requirements for Premium Cigars

In the case of Cigar Association of America, the Premium Cigar Association, and Cigar Rights of America v. United States Food and Drug Administration et al., Judge Amit P. Mehta of the...

Rep. Meuser Hosts Cigar Policy Roundtable

Congressman Dan Meuser (PA-09), Co-Chairman of the Congressional Cigar Caucus, hosted a Cigar Policy Roundtable to provide Members of Congress insight on how proposed policies and regulations would...

US Court of Appeals Unanimously Strikes Down Warning Labels

Washington, DC, July 7, 2020 —The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) and Cigar Rights of America (CRA) are pleased that a unanimous panel of the United States Court of Appeals for...

Supreme Court Decision Checks Potential FDA Overreach

The recent Supreme Court decision to overturn Chevron deference has sent shockwaves through the regulatory world, with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) facing significant potential...

Generational Bans: A Prohibition That’s Bigger Than Tobacco

First, it was New Zealand, saying, “Hey, let’s ban access to a perfectly legal product, in a manner that if you’re fifty years old, yet born after January 2007, you’re still not allowed to purchase...

Continuing the Legacy of the Premium Cigar Association

For 91 years, the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) has consistently spearheaded the industry’s growth and well-being. Having joined in 2019, I was excited about the opportunity to fight for our...

How Bad Ideas Spread: Minneapolis, Minnesota Sets A Bad Precedent

Over the course of the last week, it has taken a moment to digest yet another bad national precedent by the forces of tobacco control. On the heels of communities in Massachusetts adopting...

Memberships

PCA membership gives you and your business a direct connection to every facet of the industry, providing exceptional opportunities for networking and growth, offering business support, advocacy, education and year-round buying opportunities.

Retailer

Open to Premium Tobacconists, Cigar Lounges and other Premium Tobacco Retailers.

As a Retailer member, you have access to a suite of resources! From tools to help you develop relationships with partners in the industry to information on the latest trends, the PCA is your one-stop-shop for your premium tobacco business.

Associate

Open to manufacturers, distributors or service providers who serve or supply PCA Retail members.

Want to get your premium cigars, pipes, pipe tobacco, or accessories in front of the largest retailer buying group in the world? With 3,000+ retail stores throughout the US, the PCA brings more buyers directly to you than any other single source.

Industry Partner

Open to Suppliers, Distributors, Brokers and Media.

Suppliers, Distributors, Brokers and Media all play vital roles in helping the premium tobacco industry thrive. As industry partners, you have the unique ability to add your voice to the fight, attend the annual convention and trade show for insider participation and knowledge, and support the industry.

Alliance Member

PCA Alliance is available to premium cigar-friendly businesses such as wineries, breweries, restaurants, country golf clubs, and individual consumers who want to do their part to support those businesses that sell premium cigars and pipe tobacco products. The PCA Alliance is an avenue to support the industry’s advocacy through financial support and participation.

PCA25

PCA membership gives you and your business a direct connection to every facet of the industry, providing exceptional opportunities for networking and growth, offering business support, advocacy, education and year-round buying opportunities.

Register for PCA25

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Sponsorship Opportunities

PCA offers a variety of sponsorship opportunities so you can decide which channels will help you reach your goals and get the most brand exposure to fit your budget.

Sponsorship Opportunities

PCA offers a variety of sponsorship opportunities so you can decide which channels will help you reach your goals and get the most brand exposure to fit your budget.

Take Action

The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) advocates for retail tobacconists at both state and federal levels. The State Legislative Affairs Team monitors and influences state legislation, educates officials, and supports laws that help tobacconists thrive. Similarly, the Federal Affairs Team tracks federal legislation, engages with Congress, and works to ease regulatory burdens, promoting a favorable environment for the premium tobacco industry nationwide.

Join us and take action now on state and federal legislative matters concerning your premium cigar and pipe tobacco business.

Take Action

The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) advocates for retail tobacconists at both state and federal levels. The State Legislative Affairs Team monitors and influences state legislation, educates officials, and supports laws that help tobacconists thrive. Similarly, the Federal Affairs Team tracks federal legislation, engages with Congress, and works to ease regulatory burdens, promoting a favorable environment for the premium tobacco industry nationwide.

Join us and take action now on state and federal legislative matters concerning your premium cigar and pipe tobacco business.

“PCA membership to me is not about one single thing, like the trade show or lobbying. It’s our premium tobacconist community that brings us together to learn from each other, grow together, combine our voices to effect real change to help our entire industry.”
Harris Saunders, Cigars and More

Contact PCA

Have a question you haven’t yet found an answer to? We’re here to help!