The PCA has finally opened the doors to new members…but don’t book your trip to the next PCA convention just yet.

This morning, the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) sent over this email…

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.

Benefits of Alliance Membership

• Access to select PCA Member Benefits
• Stay informed with regular advocacy and legislative updates
• Get expert guidance on communicating with elected officials
• Receive legislative alerts and direct access to legislators through cigaraction.org
• A free PCA Lapel Pin (while supplies last)
• Includes a 1-year subscription to PCA The Magazine, published four times a year

Alliance Partner Membership Eligibility

To be eligible for membership as an Alliance member with the Premium Cigar Association (PCA), you must meet the following qualifications:

BUSINESS: A business that sells or supports premium tobacco products. This includes wineries, breweries, restaurants, and golf clubs.

INDIVIDUAL: A consumer who is passionate about premium cigars and pipe tobacco products but does not have a tobacco business from which they own or make the majority of their income.

Note: PCA Alliance members are not eligible to attend the annual PCA trade show.

For more information, VISIT PCA HERE.