In the world of premium cigars, where craftsmanship meets culture and the ritual of smoking transcends time, few figures embody both intellect and passion as seamlessly as Joshua Habursky, Chief Executive Officer of the Premium Cigar Association (PCA). 

At the helm of the industry’s leading organization, Habursky represents a new generation of leadership: articulate, insightful, strategic, and unwaveringly committed to protecting and promoting one of the world’s last artisanal luxuries.

In an age where nuance often yields to noise, Habursky embodies a rare blend of intellect and conviction: he is a leader equally at ease in a congressional hearing as in a cigar factory or lounge. Under his direction, the PCA continues to champion not only the rights of an industry but the preservation of a culture and a centuries-old art form: one that speaks of craftsmanship and freedom in its purest sense.

I sat down with him to discuss leadership, regulation, education, and the enduring spirit of an industry built on heritage, freedom, and community, from Capitol Hill to the rolling fields of The Dominican Republic and Nicaragua.

Interview

Ricardo Carioni (RC):

Joshua, you’ve become one of the youngest leaders to head a major trade association. What drives you personally, and how did your journey lead you to the world of premium cigars?

Joshua Habursky (JH):

Personally, I relate to the premium cigar industry being the underdog. I moved to Washington DC, not knowing anyone, didn't come from a political family, and had to work three jobs to afford intern housing and make it through graduate school. This experience taught me a lot about sacrifice and resilience, which are helpful attributes for running any organization, especially one with many demands, personalities, and challenges.

I have a great support system of close friends and family who have mentored me along my career path, but I have also encountered rejection, failure, and adversity, which have had an equal impact, pushing me towards creativity, advancement, and success.

I started smoking cigars as an undergraduate at Washington & Jefferson College, in the Winston Churchill Society, where we met every week to smoke cigars and talk politics. I entered the industry as the Director of Federal Affairs in 2019, wanting a career that combined my love of politics and cigars. I became the Executive Director in 2024 and the Chief Executive Officer in 2025, working my way up and learning from retailers, manufacturers, and enthusiasts alike.

RC:

The PCA is both a guardian of tradition and a voice for progress. How would you describe your leadership philosophy, and what do you believe makes the PCA unique among global trade organizations?

JH: 

My leadership philosophy is to surround myself with good people who have the right attitude and ambition. Most skills can be taught, but the foundation of any successful organization is the character of its people. From the board of directors to the staff, the PCA has a strong foundation, and I am proud to lead the organization even through challenges and setbacks.

The PCA is uniquely positioned at the centre of retail and manufacturing, with the world's largest trade show for premium cigars in the world's largest market. We can partner with many other organizations worldwide to defend, protect, and expand the premium cigar sector for discerning adult consumers.

PCA can curate and expand ideas through tools, technology, and information-sharing that transcend borders as we tackle global challenges. The association is nearly 100 years old, and I am deeply cognizant of tradition and the obligation to preserve it on behalf of our members, while ensuring the association's future development.

RC:

You manage a complex portfolio – advocacy, memberships, education, global partnerships, and the PCA Show – all under political and social pressures. How do you prioritize and keep the organization both nimble and visionary?

JH: 

Leveraging the team's skill sets, I don't micro-manage and identify project leads and support from the outset. We are a small team that can react quickly, and everyone on staff does the work of three or four people. When I speak about the work of PCA to other association executives, they are continually amazed at the output of our small team of eight, and the scope of projects that we are working on at any given time.

In addition to running the association, I remain a member of the advocacy team and manage the federal government affairs portfolio, including the White House, Congress, regulatory agencies, and litigation. I learned quickly that I can't be involved in every project, and I trust our team to deliver even when I am not. I often work with membership, education, events, and partnerships staff on major decisions, budgets, and communications, while allowing them to lead as the department expert.

RC:

Education has become a defining pillar of your leadership. What’s your vision for PCA Education, and how can it transform the way the world understands premium cigars?

JH: 

I want the professionalisation of the premium cigar sector and education to be part of my legacy. PCA has an incredible opportunity to provide educational resources to all its members through partnerships like our Masterclass with FIU, or our commissioned book release in 2027.

PCA is striving to create career paths in the premium cigar sector, and not just a paycheck that people fall into. Education and learning are essential to the industry's longevity moving forward. Without investment in this area, the association and industry will tread water rather than sail to their destination.

RC:

Turning to regulation, many readers enjoy cigars but may not follow the legal battles behind them. How would you describe the current landscape for premium cigars in the U.S. and some other parts of the world? What are the major victories, and what key challenges remain?

JH:

There is no shortage of challenges: from taxation and tariffs to generational smoking bans and restrictions on the ability to smoke indoors and outdoors. These changes are present in localities in the United States and in countries around the world.

Fortunately, the data, research, and court precedent are on our side in differentiating premium cigars from other tobacco products. The three court victories against the Food & Drug Administration are major victories that will have a lasting global impact as the battlefield shifts to small towns and far-off countries.

RC:

The idea of generational bans on tobacco has been spreading internationally. What’s your view on this type of legislation, and what does it mean for personal freedom and cultural heritage?

JH:

This is nonsensical public policy that will lead to many issues, including black market sales. Fundamentally, this policy discriminates against adults in deciding whether or not to enjoy a premium cigar. What's next? Gin? Slot machines? Coffee?

Beyond the product itself, these initiatives are the most troubling because governments step in to make decisions in place of individuals. Personal freedom is at stake more broadly than any one product category. Hopefully, non-smokers understand that if they support these prohibitions, someday something that they enjoy could face the same unjust treatment.

RC:

Premium cigars are, at their core, about culture, community, and craft. What message would you give our readers, many of whom see cigars as one of life’s great pleasures, about what makes this culture worth defending?

JH:

Do not shy away from being in the premium cigar industry at any level: retail, manufacturer, or consumer. It is an honourable profession and pastime that we need to preserve for the next generation to make their own decision about whether to enjoy a cigar when they are of legal age.

Do not be fearful of the social stigma around smoking, and continue to savour cigars with friends, family, or in a contemplative state on your own. Premium cigars can represent the celebration of moments to remember, a shared social experience between people, or just sheer relaxation. Whether it be a recreational hobby, your career, or your lifestyle, this industry is worth protecting, which is why I am committed to making sacrifices, handling adversity, and remaining resilient, leading the PCA for many years to come.