The new face of the cigar industry

Between bans, price increases and "electric" alternatives, smoking in Europe is clearly on the decline. Cigarette smokers are fewer and fewer, and several figures confirm this. Smoking is becoming an increasingly anti-social behavior. On the other hand, cigar consumption does not seem to be particularly affected. On the contrary: cigars are increasingly in demand and attracting new consumers.

The cigar industry adapts to new trends

Although cigars are not recommended for your health, they are imbued with a special appeal. Indeed, cigars are considered a passion rather than a habit. The cigar is generally a symbol of status, class and wealth, a pleasure reserved for connoisseurs, to be savored with voluptuous pleasure.

Cigars are fashionable, and in recent years they've managed to shake off the image of a "manly" pastime reserved for mature men. While still its most avid consumer, this target group has given way to another type of consumer... New products are invading the market: flavored and subtle cigars to seduce women and younger consumers, natural and additive-free cigars for the all-organic enthusiast, and hyper-accessorized cigars for geeks!

More and more women attracted to cigars 

Women's growing interest in cigars has given rise to a new wave of innovation and creativity in the cigar industry. Today, more and more women are discovering that cigars can be delicious and sexy. No longer reserved for special occasions, women are using cigars as a relaxation product.

More women than ever are smoking cigars, and this has led to the development of a host of new products aimed specifically at them, and a rethought marketing strategy to appeal to the female gender. In 2011, global Cuban cigar distributor Habanos S.A. released a cigar specially designed for women: the Romeo y Julieta Julieta. The Julieta size (13 mm in diameter and 120 mm in length) was created not only to appeal to female cigar smokers, but also in honor of the company's female employees who are essential to the manufacture of Cuban cigars. 

Eco-friendly and organic cigars

The cigar-making process is inherently more environmentally friendly than other mass-produced products. Most cigars are made by hand, producing very little waste in the process.

Leading cigar manufacturers are increasingly moving towards more sustainable and environmentally-friendly practices. They recognize that as their consumers become more environmentally conscious, it is essential to invest in green projects. They are also committed to ensuring better working conditions for workers throughout the production process. 

Most manufacturers follow organic procedures for growing and processing premium cigar tobacco. Hand-rolled premium cigars are 100% organic and made entirely of tobacco. Plasencia Reserva Original is one of the few cigar brands to be certified 100% organic.

The Cuban cigar industry remains directly regulated by the government to ensure unrivalled quality. Today, the Cuban cigar monopoly, Habanos, S.A., fully controls the production and distribution of Cuban cigar brands, including Cohiba, Montecristo and Partagas.

Bearing in mind all that has been said above, it's clear that the cigar industry has been able to broaden its target audience by adapting to new trends and reinventing itself to meet the expectations of new consumers and environmental and social concerns.