By Timothy S. Donahue
Top Takeaways:
- Regulatory shift: St. Louis creates targeted exemption from indoor smoking ban for convention events
- Market expansion: Move positions the city as the future host for PCA trade show beyond 2029
- Industry signal: The policy change could prompt other cities to accommodate cigar events
St. Louis just made its pitch to the premium cigar industry. Mayor Cara Spencer has signed an ordinance creating a temporary exemption from the city’s indoor smoking ban, clearing the way for the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) to potentially host its Convention & Trade Show at America’s Center.
The measure, Ordinance 72136, allows smoking at certain convention facilities during approved events—a targeted carveout designed specifically for the PCA show. The legislation passed the St. Louis Board of Aldermen in March by an 8-6 vote, with one abstention, and then received final approval from the mayor.
Alderman Rasheen Aldridge, who sponsored the bill, said the goal was straightforward: to make St. Louis a viable host city for one of the cigar industry’s largest annual gatherings. For now, the timeline is long.
The Premium Cigar Association has already secured locations through 2029, with shows scheduled in New Orleans and Las Vegas:
- 2026 — New Orleans
- 2027 — Las Vegas
- 2028 — Las Vegas
- 2029 — New Orleans
That means St. Louis would not realistically enter the rotation until 2030 at the earliest. Still, the move matters.
“It is welcomed news that another large-scale venue is allowing for trade show and convention smoking,” said Joshua Habursky. “We are committed to New Orleans and Las Vegas for our shows for the next four years, but this gives us another option for future consideration of the main trade show.”
Habursky also highlighted broader opportunities beyond the flagship event. The exemption could enable additional activations, including a potential business-to-business exhibition for the spirits industry—an idea the PCA has been exploring as it seeks to expand its event footprint.
The key takeaway is competitive positioning. By carving out a legal pathway for indoor smoking at conventions, St. Louis is aligning itself with a key requirement for hosting cigar trade shows—something many major cities cannot accommodate under current public health laws.
And it may not stop there. “We hope other cities like Nashville will see what St. Louis just did and follow suit,” Habursky said, signaling that the PCA is actively looking for more host options with sufficient space and regulatory flexibility.
