With the leadership of a few state tobacconists and distributors, the state of Louisiana has become the third southern state to enact a cigar tax cap, following Arkansas and North Carolina.
The new fifty-cent tax cap in H.B. 325 will take effect January 1, 2026. The proposal passed the Louisiana House of Representatives 74-20, and the state Senate 26-11, and has been signed by Governor Jeff Landry.
Glynn Loope, Director of State Advocacy for the Premium Cigar Association, commended the leadership of State Representative Marcus Bryant, D-New Iberia for sponsoring the bill, and to the state coalition that facilitated the legislation. Loope stated, “Once again, the local leadership of PCA’s retail partners have produced positive legislation that will benefit Louisiana small businesses, and their customers alike. We issue our sincere thanks to Representative Bryant, each legislator that voted for the proposal and to Governor Landry for signing H.B. 325.”
Specifically PCA commends: Dustin Prudhomme of Cajun Cigar; Luis Molina of Habana Port; Ty Bromell lobbyist for the Louisiana Independent Tobacconists Association; Evan Alvarez lobbyist for the Louisiana Tobacco Wholesalers; and Chris Kane of Adams & Reese, legislative advocacy for PCA.
PCA provided testimonial support for the bill to the Senate Committee on Revenue & Fiscal Affairs, and issued a grassroots campaign for retailers and consumers to the legislature. PCA recently launched a national economic impact study of tax caps.
PCA Executive Director Joshua Habursky noted, “This positive development in Louisiana is yet another indicator of how the state is supporting its small business community and their patrons. The economic impact of the New Orleans based trade show was shared with the legislature, as was the positive impact of cigar tax caps throughout the nation. We appreciate the support of the legislature and Governor Landry with this positive step.”
The PCA trade show returns to New Orleans April 17-20, 2026.
