The History of Cigars: From the Ancient Maya to Modern Cuban Cigars

The history of cigars spans thousands of years, although their exact origin has never been fully clarified. When Christopher Columbus arrived in the New World in 1492, he became the first Westerner to encounter tobacco products resembling cigars. Despite numerous theories about who first created the cigar and how it developed, archaeological findings have provided enough evidence to form a clearer picture of its early history. Over the centuries, cigars became part of many cultures, and each well-known brand carries a certain historical legacy.

A cigar is most commonly described as a tightly rolled bundle of tobacco that is lit so that the smoke can be inhaled into the mouth. The ancient Maya are believed to have been among the first peoples to use this form of tobacco, as confirmed by an old Mayan vessel depicting a person smoking rolled tobacco wrapped in plant leaves.

Indigenous peoples of the Americas were the first to cultivate and use tobacco, and after the decline of Maya civilization, the practice spread across North and South America. Tobacco played an important role in the rituals of many tribes. It is believed that the word “tobacco” may come from the Caribbean island of Tobago, while others argue it originates from the Mexican province of Tabasco. The Taíno people of Cuba used the term “Cohiba” for cigars, while the word “cigar” is thought to derive from the Mayan word “sikar”, meaning smoking.

Columbus’s crew encountered tobacco through trade with Indigenous peoples, and sailors quickly adopted the habit during their return to Europe. After the practice spread across Spain and Portugal, the French diplomat Jean Nicot played an important role in its popularization, and nicotine was later named after him. Smoking then spread through Italy and the rest of Europe, although some rulers attempted to restrict or ban it. Spanish producers developed the technique of rolling dried tobacco in paper, making cigars more practical and elegant to consume.

Although Spain long dominated European cigar production, it soon became clear that Cuba had ideal climatic conditions for growing high-quality tobacco. Cuban cigars therefore gained a worldwide reputation over time. Spain attempted to maintain its monopoly, but many producers moved to Florida or tried cultivating tobacco in the Philippines, then a Spanish colony. Later, New York also became an important cigar production center. Home production developed as well, briefly leading to a ban, but it was soon lifted and the industry flourished again.

The first tobacco grown in the Americas was cultivated in 1640 in Windsor, Connecticut. Over the following centuries, pipes and cigars were extremely popular in Europe, even before cigarettes dominated the market. During conflicts between England and Spain, the English briefly controlled Havana, which enabled stronger international trade than under previous centuries of Spanish rule.

Demand for cigars in England continued to grow, and the famous Connecticut wrapper emerged thanks to an English officer from Hartford who smuggled tobacco seeds after staying in Havana.

The seeds adapted to the local climate and enabled the production of tens of thousands of cigars. By the early 19th century, Havana cigars were already being exported worldwide, and many manufacturers used Connecticut tobacco for wrappers and binders.

Over the following decades, the United States gradually took over the leading role in cigar production, although it had previously imported tobacco from Cuba. By 1860, there were already more than 1,500 cigar factories in America. During this period, famous Cuban brands such as Sancho Panza, Partagás, Montecristo, and El Rey del Mundo emerged, while American producers like La Palina also grew stronger. Due to political conflicts in Cuba and Spanish colonial rule, many manufacturers relocated to Key West, which became known as “Cigar City.”

The year 1920 is considered the peak of American cigar production. Despite Prohibition, billions of cigars were produced. A cigar-rolling machine was introduced the year before, and more than four thousand machines quickly increased productivity compared to manual production.

The Great Depression soon slowed the market, and declining incomes led consumers to increasingly choose cheaper cigars instead of expensive Cuban ones.

After Fidel Castro’s victory in 1959, the Cuban cigar industry was nationalized, and Cohiba was initially reserved for the political elite. In 1962, the United States imposed an embargo on Cuban products, causing Cuba to lose its main market. Many producers relocated abroad and expanded tobacco production, leading to the emergence of new production centers. Brands such as Montecristo in the Canary Islands were renamed, while Partagás and Hoyo de Monterrey remained popular.

During the 1980s, the cigar industry experienced stagnation, but it recovered again in the early 1990s. While cigarette consumption in the U.S. declined, cigars once again became a symbol of prestige among wealthier social classes. The Dominican Republic significantly increased production, while Cuban cigars remained among the most sought-after. Cohiba became available outside Cuba, and the collapse of the Soviet Union further pushed Cuba to increase cigar exports.

A new change occurred in 2014 when the Barack Obama administration eased restrictions on American travel to Cuba and on importing Cuban cigars into the United States. Today, Cuban cigars can be purchased in many countries, with certain restrictions on import into the U.S. Premium cigars can cost several dollars per piece, although more affordable options also exist.

The cigar industry has undergone many changes since tobacco first arrived in Europe. The shape of cigars, rolling methods, flavors, and production techniques have all evolved.

Despite well-known health risks, cigars remain present in popular culture, film, and among public figures such as actors, politicians, and musicians.

Although the industry no longer has the scale it once reached during its peak in the 20th century, sales continue to show steady growth, while some consumers switch from cigarettes to different forms of tobacco consumption.

Pictures: MyCigarSite