Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Our View: Protect pristine headwaters from nickel mining ... Bumper crop ... Growers and Crafters Market searching for new homes ... Our View: Protect pristine headwaters from nickel mining ... Bumper crop ... Growers and Crafters Market searching for new homes ... Cuban cigars are coming to America - sort of For cigar aficionados around the country, the warming of U.S.-Cuba relations might best be celebrated beside the smoky glow of a Cohiba. And yet stateside, that still won't be easy to do for some time. Comment By Washington Post MailTribune.com By Washington Post Posted Dec. 17, 2014 at 1:04 PM By Washington Post Posted Dec. 17, 2014 at 1:04 PM » Social News WASHINGTON — For cigar aficionados around the country, the warming of U.S.-Cuba relations might best be celebrated beside the smoky glow of a Cohiba. And yet stateside, that still won't be easy to do for some time. For cigar smokers, the Holy Grail is finally in sight... http://t.co/jD0sprDYar pic.twitter.com/8RGTtA5Ddo — Charles Passy (@CharlesPassy) December 17, 2014 On Wednesday, the White House announced that it would reestablish ties with Cuba. In addition to opening a U.S. embassy in Havana, the government will ease travel restrictions for Americans to the island nation. Commercial imports of Cuban goods, however, are still frozen despite the diplomatic thaw. In 2013, the global retail value of the cigar market was more than $23 billion, according to data from Euromonitor International. And Corporación Habanos, an iconic producer of Cuban cigar brands like Cohiba, was the 18th largest cigar company in the world last year, selling more than 215 million units. Cuban #cigars won't be sold in U.S. shops tomorrow, but today's news was an important first step. Experts weigh in: http://t.co/fiOjXdKnrM — Cigar Aficionado (@CigarAficMag) December 17, 2014 For those cigars to make their way into American shops, Congress would need to lift the trade embargo on Cuba, which is codified in U.S. law and beyond the scope of the executive power that Obama exercised on Wednesday. The president did, however, say in a press conference that he hopes his actions will lead to "a serious debate about lifting the embargo," and that "increased commerce is good for Americans and Cubans." While the sale of Cuban cigars is less than imminent, small quantities will soon be easier to bring into the United States for personal use. Speaking on background, a Treasury Department official said rules on enforcement of Cuban cigar importation would ease, according to the travel changes announced by Obama. Now that Cuban cigars are becoming legal I am looking forward to guys with waxed moustaches smoking them and telling me they are overrated. — Geoff Brousseau (@Gbrousseau) December 17, 2014 To this point, the importation of tobacco from Cuba was not previously authorized, even for the small group of citizens who were permitted to travel between the two countries. Once the president's changes take effect in the coming weeks, however, authorized American travelers will now be allowed to import up to $100 of Cuban alcohol or tobacco products. Due to decades of embargo, cigar makers have long looked for other ways to satisfy Americans' taste for the smoky contraband. In the United States, Swisher Sweets is currently the most popular brand, with a market share of 31 percent. But many brands create cigars that are "Cuban style" or "made with Cuban seed," in an effort to skirt the illegality of importing cigars produced on the island. By Washington Post MailTribune.com By Washington Post Posted Dec. 17, 2014 at 1:04 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501