The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) has announced a new level way for non-tobacco businesses and consumers to support the association and its advocacy work. The new PCA Alliance program is open to premium cigar and pipe-friendly businesses and consumers and is an avenue to support the industry’s advocacy through financial support and participation. This opportunity will help expand the PCA’s reach and strengthen its advocacy efforts across the U.S. and beyond by contributing to the PCA’s Industry Defense Fund.
“The PCA Alliance has been in development for some time. As the PCA continues to work and advocate on behalf of specialty retailers, we realized there were many businesses not yet members with an interest or a stake in premium cigars and pipe tobacco. We also wanted to allow consumers, a key to the growth of specialty tobacco retailers, to be able to donate to the Industry Defense Fund. Together, this new Alliance will add to our efforts to give voice to the premium tobacco industry and all involved,” says Scott Regina, President of the PCA.
“Retailers are at the forefront in interactions and sales of premium cigars and pipe tobacco with other small businesses like golf courses, restaurants, and other businesses that serve and offer their customers premium cigars. So are consumers that support lounges, bars, and other premium cigar-carrying businesses. The Alliance membership empowers retailers, small businesses, and consumers to get involved in the PCA’s cause. This is an important step in growing our advocacy army and informing a wider audience on what is going on from a legislative and regulatory perspective and where they might be able to be involved,” says Joshua Habursky, Executive Director of the PCA.
There are two tiers within the new PCA Alliance: Business and consumers. Business Alliance members ($250 per year) include wineries, breweries, restaurants, country golf clubs, and other businesses that want to support the premium cigar and pipe tobacco categories. Consumer Alliance members ($99 per year) are cigar enthusiasts interested in staying engaged with and supporting the ongoing advocacy efforts of the PCA. Alliance participants are not eligible to attend the annual trade show but their contributions to the organization will go toward supporting the PCA Industry Defense Fund, used to fight back against bad legislation while defending an individual’s right to enjoy a premium tobacco product.
PCA Alliance Business participants will have access to select PCA member benefits, including partner savings and discounts on business services, access to the PCA’s training and educational courses, and helpful resources and guidance regarding their state’s legislative and regulatory bills that impact premium cigar and pipe tobacco products. Both businesses and consumers within the PCA Alliance will receive regular advocacy and legislative updates, guidance on communicating with local officials, and a free subscription to PCA The Magazine, published four times a year. Additional new benefits will be announced as they become available.
Those interested in joining the PCA Alliance can find additional information at premiumcigars.org/membership/alliance-membership.
In addition to the new PCA Alliance option, the PCA offers Retailer Membership (premium tobacconists, cigar lounges, other premium tobacco retailers), Associate Membership (manufacturers of premium tobacco retailers), and Industry Partners (suppliers, distributors, brokers) options. The PCA is currently accepting new members for 2025. You can start a new or renew your membership to PCA at premiumcigars.org/membership/join-renew.