Frequently asked questions

Cigar Rights of America is a non profit 501(c)4 corporation chartered in the State of Virginia founded in 2008, and is a national advocacy organization representing adult premium cigar consumers, retailers, manufacturers, and others who support the premium cigar community.

CRA membership helps support the organization's work on legislative, regulatory, and legal issues affecting premium cigars. Members also receive CRA updates, advocacy alerts, opportunities to take action, access to member-focused information and programs, and a direct connection to the national effort to protect the premium cigar community. Membership also strengthens CRA's ability to represent consumers, retailers, and the broader premium cigar industry before policymakers.

Membership dues and donations support CRA's advocacy, legislative, regulatory, legal, communications, and member-engagement work. Those funds help CRA monitor policy developments, engage lawmakers and regulators, support legal and policy efforts, communicate with members and the public, and maintain the programs and infrastructure needed to defend premium cigar interests at the federal, state, and local levels.

Cigar Rights of America is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization. Membership dues are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.

Individual Members: Consumer membership dues are not tax-deductible.

Corporate Members: Businesses may be eligible to deduct the portion of their CRA membership dues attributable to non-lobbying activities as an ordinary and necessary business expense.

For the 2025 tax year, 50% of corporate membership dues were attributable to non-lobbying activities and may therefore qualify as a deductible business expense. The remaining 50%, attributable to lobbying activities, is not deductible.

The deductible percentage may change annually. Corporate members should consult their tax advisors to determine eligibility and the appropriate tax treatment.

Any adult 21 or older who supports the mission of defending premium cigars is welcome to join. Visit the Membership page to learn about membership and join CRA online.

Visit the Renew page to renew your existing membership securely online.

No. CRA membership dues and general donations support Cigar Rights of America's advocacy, legislative, regulatory, legal, communications, and member-engagement work.

A contribution to the CRA Political Action Committee is separate and is used for political activity permitted under applicable campaign-finance law. A CRA membership payment or general donation is not a PAC contribution.

CRA works on legislative, regulatory, and legal issues affecting premium cigars at the federal, state, and local levels. CRA also keeps members informed about policy developments and opportunities to take action.

Follow CRA's News and Issues sections and maintain an active CRA membership to receive updates and advocacy communications.

CRA's Take Action campaigns provide opportunities to contact lawmakers or respond to specific legislative and regulatory issues. Visit the Take Action section for current campaigns.

The Issues section explains the major legislative, regulatory, tax, and legal matters CRA is currently monitoring or working on.

Premium cigars are traditionally handmade tobacco products distinguished by their construction, ingredients, manufacturing methods, and adult consumer market. Specific legal definitions can vary depending on the law or regulation involved.

Use CRA's Find Your Legislator tool to identify the officials who represent you and find ways to contact them.

CRA's Cigar Tax Map provides state-by-state information on cigar excise taxes, tax caps, and related tax treatment.

GACS stands for Great American Cigar Shops. The program connects CRA with participating premium cigar retailers and helps strengthen retailer involvement in advocacy and the premium cigar community.

Retailers can learn about GACS membership and enroll through the Retailers section of the site.

Yes. CRA works with manufacturers and other industry partners that support premium cigar advocacy. Visit the Manufacturers & Sponsors section or contact CRA for information.

No. CRA provides advocacy information and educational resources, but information on the site should not be treated as individual legal advice.

Use the Contact page and select the subject that best matches your question. CRA routes inquiries internally to the appropriate person.