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TOBACCO BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL
MAY/JUNE 2014
NEWS & TRENDS
MAY/JUNE 2014
Viva República and Miami Cigar have an-
nounced an exclusive distribution agree-
ment effective April 1, 2014. Miami Cigar
will sell and distribute all Viva República
lines in the United States. In addition to
the brand joining Miami Cigar’s premium
product offerings, its creator, Jason Holly,
is joining the Miami Cigar team. Holly
will concentrate on developing existing
brands and creating new projects, while
visiting accounts nationally for events and
sales support.
“We plan to increase our emphasis on
traditional channels,” says Jason Wood,
VP of Miami Cigar, explaining the arrange-
ment. “In adding Jason Holly, we bring
on another valuable team member who
has seen the industry from the traditional
retailers’ eye[s]. He is highly creative and
can add to our strategy immensely.”
Founded by Nestor and Mariana Mi-
randa in 1989, Miami Cigar is celebrating
its 25th year in business. “We are proud
to be adding a growing new brand in the
same year [that] we are celebrating our
25th anniversary,” pronounces Nestor Mi-
randa. “Even after two-plus decades and
millions upon millions of cigars, we’re not
ready to slow down.”
“I was thoroughly impressed with the
Mirandas and Jason Wood,” says Holly,
who attended Harvard University. “We
share similar values, key relationships,
and both see enhanced growth potential
resulting from our complementary skills
and resources.”
When asked about future Viva Repúbli-
ca releases, Holly said that he will con-
tinue to rely solely on León’s factory. “It’s
home. The factory is modern and well-
run, boasts a fantastic tobacco inventory,
and is owned by a great friend,” relays
Holly.
With the pending release of the Nestor
Miranda Collection, the addition of Viva
República, and a plan to enhance its sales
mechanisms, Miami Cigar could be in for
one of its most exciting years since its
founding. “We have spent some serious
time evaluating our practices and look for-
ward to implementing positive changes
that will enhance our brand identity,” says
Wood.
Miami Cigar to
Distribute Viva República
The company will be the exclusive U.S. distributor for all lines.
L.A. Bans Vaping
California city becomes the third
to ban the use of e-cigarettes in
public.
After a 14-0 vote in March, Los Angeles
became the third major city to ban the
use of e-cigarettes and vaping products in
public spaces. Themeasurewill not takeef-
fect until Mayor Eric Garcetti’s signature is
added, but industry observers expect the
mayor to support the action.
Chicago andNewYork City already have
similar bans in effect, and three states—
Utah, NorthDakota andNewJersey—have
banned e-cigarette use wherever smoking
is prohibited. Clearly, even as vapor devic-
es and e-cigarettes gain momentum, cities
and states are increasingly taking action
against the emerging category.
Many see the anti-e-cig sentiment as
guilt by association, suggesting that pub-
lic perception may be tainted by the fact
that more and more traditional cigarette
manufacturers—companies viewed with
suspicion by the public—are moving into
the category. Others say that legislators
simply don’t understand the true nature of
vaping, despite strong scientific evidence
showing that e-cigarettes are far less de-
structive than combustibles and may ac-
tually be the most effective opportunity
for today’s smokers to quit. Many view
vaping as, at best, facilitating a nicotine
addiction and, at worst, luring new users
into the nicotine fold. Some suggest that
the true risks of vaping devices are not yet
known. Finally, critics claim that the cig-
alike devices—those that look, feel and act
like a cigarette—are viewed as making it
more difficult for businesses to enforce the
Smoke-Free Air Act.
With the future of the category at stake, it
will be up to e-cigmakers tomake the case
against such bans, and to do so quickly.
These and other issues central to the cat-
egory will be addressed at Vapor World
Expo on May 7 and 8 at the Rosemont
Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois.
Tell Your Story in
TBI
Would you like to see your store profiled in
TBI
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maybe you’d like to share your point of view or see a
particular topic covered in our magazine. If so, we’d
like to hear from you at tobonline.com/contact.
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TOBACCOBUSINESS
JANUARY/FEBRUARY2014
trenchmarketing
BYMICHAELGELFAND
B
efore tobacco became his bread and butter, Tom
Foster was training at the California Culinary
Academy tobecomeaprofessionalchef.Back then,
he looked forward to thedaywhenhe’dhavea restaurantof
his ownwhere he could play tastemaker for his customers
and prepare a sensory experience thatwould exceed their
expectations every time they came in. But dreams and
realityoftenmix likeoil andwater, and Foster soon realized
thatbeingacookmeanthewouldnever see the frontof the
house—let aloneget theopportunity towatch them eat the
foodheprepared.
Disillusioned, Foster souredon hisdreamofprofessional
cooking and left California to return home to Kansas City,
Fidel’scigar Shop dug itself
out of an early hole created by a
contentious store name—now
it’s a thriving boutique cigar
hotspot on thekansascity scene.
Facing the Music
