We have heard a lot about the "R" word regarding the United States economy lately, but will the slowdown in our national economy negatively impact the sales of premium handmade imported cigars during 2008? Last year (2007) was the second best year on record for premium cigar imports into the United States, despite many obstacles such as more restrictive smoking bans, regulations, and higher taxes. Although these increasingly formidable obstacles will eventually have a negative impact on cigar sales in future years, the current main threat to the cigar industry is our economy.
The definition of the word "recession" is when your neighbor has to cut back or quit smoking cigars. The economy is in a depression when YOU have to cut back or stop smoking cigars. Since the bulk of cigars sold in the U.S. are the cheaper machine made cigars, that segment of the market has the highest risk for a downturn. However, since premium handmade imported cigars are experiencing somewhat of a renaissance, will this upward trend continue during 2008, despite a slowing economy?
Cast Your Vote or View Results in Our Cigar Recession Opinion Poll
The definition of the word "recession" is when your neighbor has to cut back or quit smoking cigars. The economy is in a depression when YOU have to cut back or stop smoking cigars. Since the bulk of cigars sold in the U.S. are the cheaper machine made cigars, that segment of the market has the highest risk for a downturn. However, since premium handmade imported cigars are experiencing somewhat of a renaissance, will this upward trend continue during 2008, despite a slowing economy?
Cast Your Vote or View Results in Our Cigar Recession Opinion Poll
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