PCA, CRA, and Manufacturers Challenge California’s UTL in Federal Court to Protect the Premium Cigar Industry
[Washington, D.C. — October 3, 2025] Today, the Premium Cigar Association (PCA), Rocky Patel Premium Cigars, Inc., Oliva Cigar Co., Piloto Cigars, Inc., d/b/a Padrón Cigars, Inc., A. Fuente & Co., LLC, Ashton Distributors, Inc., Premium Imports, Inc. d/b/a La Flor Dominicana, My Father Cigars, and Cigar Rights of America, filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Central District of California challenging the application of California's Unflavored Tobacco List (UTL) law to premium cigars as defined in the federal regulatory system.
California's Attorney General is claiming that, if premium cigar manufacturers do not submit a voluminous application for every size, shape, and blend of premium cigar by October 9, 2025, those cigars will need to be pulled off the shelves of retailers. In doing so, the Attorney General is attempting to establish himself as a second Food and Drug Administration, in violation of numerous federal and state constitutional and statutory provisions.
"The California UTL is a classic example of a regulatory burden that hurts small businesses, including PCA retail and manufacturer members, and is especially harmful to boutique companies and brands that offer brick and mortar shop exclusives or limited editions. PCA is proud to join in this lawsuit to take a stand at the state level in California, just like we did at the federal level, once again protecting our members through the courts," says Joshua Habursky, Chief Executive Officer of the Premium Cigar Association.
Glynn Loope, PCA's Director of State Advocacy, added, "For almost a year, PCA and industry allies have been trying to convey their concerns and recommendations to the office of the California Attorney General, with hope for a reasonable approach to any regulatory plan. The effort included filing a public comment that included common sense recommendations for regulatory reform, and that comment was ignored. PCA also filed a request for extension so that our manufacturer partners could have ample time to properly file and comply, and that request was denied. That chain of events obviously brings us to this point in hope of seeking relief from these overly burdensome regulations. These regulations set a horrible precedent that must be challenged at every level.”
From the outset, the PCA and its manufacturer allies have opposed these regulations, arguing that they unfairly penalize the premium cigar industry. On numerous occasions, the PCA asked the California Attorney General's Office for sensible changes to administering this regulation, and ultimately, those requests were either denied or ignored. The UTL was intended to address flavored products and youth use; however, the proposed rules would saddle premium cigar manufacturers with excessive fees and paperwork, potentially leading to market consolidation and the exit of key products and companies from the California market.
About the Premium Cigar Association
The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) is the leading authority and advocate for the premium cigar and pipe retailer industry. The PCA is dedicated to brick-and-mortar premium tobacconists' current and future success. Founded in 1933 as the Retail Tobacco Dealers of America (RTDA), the PCA is the largest, most active, longest-running trade association representing specialty tobacco retailers and supporting manufacturers and partners in the industry. For additional information, visit premiumcigars.org.
Media Contact
Joshua Habursky
