Federal Advocacy
The PCA’s Federal Affairs Team represents the interests of retail tobacconists and their suppliers on Capitol Hill regarding issues concerning their businesses. PCA actively tracks federal legislative activity, monitors regulatory practices related to the industry, educates Members of Congress, fights for small businesses, and vigorously engages in the process to reduce burdens on retail tobacconists. The objective of the federal affairs team is to foster a political climate conducive to the production, marketing, sale, and enjoyment of premium tobacco products in the United States.
Federal Legislative Team

Joshua Habursky
Executive Director
(202) 849-6045
joshua@premiumcigars.org
Federal News & Regulations
Fighting the Bigger Smaller Battles
Alex Harding, Kristoff Cigars As the cigar industry copes with the effects of nationwide, state mandated...
PCA COVID-19 Update: Letters to US Treasury and SBA
The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) sent a letter to the U.S. Department of the...
UPDATE: Business Loan Program Temporary Changes; Paycheck Protection Program
Yesterday evening, the U.S. Treasury Department and Small Business Administration issued further...
COVID-19 Update: Paycheck Protection Program & Treasury Tax Delay
Starting Friday, April 3rd, qualified businesses impacted by COVID-19 can apply for the Small Business...
CARES Act Passes House & Heads to the President
Today, the House of Representatives passed a historic stimulus package known as the Coronavirus Aid, Relief,...
US Senate Passes CARES Act
Late last night, the US Senate passed the CARES Act by a unanimous vote 96—0. This bill will...
PCA + CRA File Joint Petition for filing Substantial Equivalence Reports due to COVID-19
The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) and Cigar Rights of America (CRA) filed a Joint Petition with several...
FDA’s Compliance Policy for Deemed Tobacco Products
Over the past several weeks, the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) has received numerous questions from...
PCA Advocacy & Cornavirus Update
The CDC has recently updated it’s recommendations to no gatherings of 10 or more people, changed from 50...
COVID-19 Advocacy and Resources
COVID-19 has impacted nearly all facets of the premium cigar world from our association including retailers,...
MARYLAND: Your Urgent Participation Needed to Save Pipe Tobacco!
Due to COVID-19 the Maryland General Assembly has barred non-essential staff from Maryland General Assembly...
Hawaii: Protect Premium Tobacconists from Statewide Tobacco Ban!
Urge Legislature to Protect Tobacconists from Statewide Tobacco Ban Senate Bill 2904 and House Bill 2348 ban...
Take Action
Endorsement for the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act
In the 2023 National Retail Security Survey by NRF, nearly two-thirds of retailers’ shrink is attributed to internal and external theft. Even more alarming is the fact that 67% of retailers reported a surge in violence and aggression linked to Organized Retail Crime compared to the previous year. These incidents jeopardize the safety of employees and customers and contribute to a substantial shrink, causing the retail industry a loss of over $112 billion in 2022.
Oppose the CARE for Moms Act and its Tobacco Tax Equity Provision
We need your help in opposing a massive tax increase that has been proposed in the CARE for Moms Act H.R.5568/S. 2846. PCA has been actively engaged in opposing the CARE for Moms Act, introduced September 19, 2023, specifically its Tobacco Tax Equity provision. This provision has been introduced in the past and has faced rejection each time, and we believe it is vital that we continue our efforts to ensure it does not become law.
Support the REINS Act and rein in rogue federal agencies!
The “Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2023” (REINS Act) would require that Congress approve any new federal regulation that the Office of Management and Budget finds to have an economic impact of $100 million or more before it is imposed on the American people. The law would keep elected officials accountable for policy making, and create a check on unelected bureaucrats driving political agendas.
This act specifically targets “major rules”–regulations that have a substantial impact on the economy, consumer costs, or competition. Under this proposed legislation, federal agencies would be required to provide economic studies that analyze how the proposed regulations would affect the U.S. economy, jobs, and businesses.
Support Credit Card Fairness
Oppose Tobacco Tax Equity
We need your help in opposing a massive tax increase that has been introduced in Congress. PCA has been actively engaged in opposing tobacco tax equity for years, with this rendition introduced September 26, 2023. This bill has been introduced in the past and has faced rejection each time, and we believe it is vital that we continue our efforts to ensure it does not become law.
Contact PCA
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