Below is an article describing the demise of cigar manufacturing in America. While reading the article paint a picture of Ybor throughout history. You will find out how important the cigar was to the Ybor commmunity economically and socially. Imagine local citizens and visitors getting together to smoke their favorite stogie and exchange life stories with each other. The cigar brought people together that would have never crossed paths if not for the hobbie of enjoying a freshly rolled stogie.

Ybor: A brief history

From reading this article one can make the implication that most of the cigar manufacturing industry has been outsourced to other countries. Out of the four main cigar distributors in Tampa; Davidoff, Arturo Fuente, JC Newman, and Altadis, only one still manufactures locally which is JC Newman.


Even though the manufacturing of cigars in America is primarily in the past, the cigar society is still very vibrant. There are non-official communities of cigar aficionados all over the country. Members know each other because they all share a common interest: smoking cigars. They talk about cigars, business, and just life in general. It is a great networking community where people have fun, relax, and get to know one another. Friendships are made around the cigar, and you can probably imagine how many business deals are struck while ciagrs go up in smoke. This unofficial community has individuals of all backgrounds and ethnicites; Cubans, men, women, middle-class, upper-class, Asians, older aged memebers, people in college, etc. It does not discriminate against any type of person!!!!

Although any one can join the unique group of cigar aficionados, they must tlearn proper cigar etiquette. Here is an audio clip explaining the proper "rules" of being a successful cigar smoker, at least in public, so enjoy!

Audio Clip

Allison Clancy

Last Updated: June 19, 2013

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