Canada’s cigar industry is under attack. With plain packaging laws and exorbitant taxes, the government is making it harder for both businesses and consumers to enjoy cigars. These regulations aren’t just turning cigars into an unaffordable luxury—they’re actively working to destroy the industry.
Plain packaging has stripped cigars of their identity, leaving behind bland, generic wrappers that diminish the artistry and craftsmanship behind each cigar. For collectors and enthusiasts, this is a frustrating change. At Cigar Chief, we’re fortunate to still offer cigars with original bands and boxes, but many retailers can’t.
Plain packaging introduces several issues:
- Authenticity Concerns: Without clear branding, it’s harder to verify genuine products, opening the door for counterfeits and low-quality cigars.
- Reduced Engagement: Packaging connects consumers to their favorite brands. Plain designs take away that emotional connection, especially for collectors.
- Mistaken Purchases: With no distinctive branding, consumers may confuse products, leading to mistakes and a loss of trust.
But the real blow comes from the taxes. Federal and provincial taxes are so high that they often double the price of a premium cigar. Let’s break it down:
A $15.00 cigar before tax suddenly becomes:
- $13.20 in federal excise tax (88%)
- $8.49 in Ontario’s provincial tobacco tax (56.6%)
The final price after taxes: $36.69 per cigar.
In some cases, these taxes can more than double the cost of a single cigar, putting them out of reach for many enthusiasts. This isn’t about making cigars an expensive luxury—it’s about pricing the industry out of existence. These sky-high taxes are forcing many businesses to close their doors, making it harder for cigar lovers to continue their passion.
In short, the current regulations are pushing the Canadian cigar industry to the edge. Plain packaging and excessive taxes aren’t about reducing smoking—they’re about eliminating the entire industry. At Cigar Chief, we’re committed to keeping the experience alive, but it’s clear that these policies aren’t sustainable for the future of the cigar industry.
I hate how the government is slowly removing our rights in a proggressive way that makes a smoker look like ‘the bad one’ as the years go. They’re slowly deleting our values and rights to like something that they don’t.