why are cuban cigars illegal?
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Why Are Cuban Cigars Illegal?
They are legal in the UK; their illegal reputation comes from the US trade embargo on Cuba, in place since 1962. Like all cigars, they are still harmful.
Cuban cigars have a reputation for being illegal, but for a UK reader that needs clearing up: Cuban cigars are legal in the UK. Their illegal reputation comes from the United States, where a long standing trade embargo against Cuba makes them illegal to buy or import. This guide explains, alongside our guide on whether there is nicotine in cigars.
Quick answer
Cuban cigars are legal to buy, own and smoke in the UK, subject to normal tobacco rules. Their illegal reputation comes from the United States, where a trade embargo against Cuba, in place since 1962, bans buying or importing Cuban goods, including cigars, even from a third country like the UK. Like all cigars, they are still harmful.
Legal in the UK
For anyone in the UK, the key point is that Cuban cigars are legal. The UK has no trade embargo against Cuba, so Cuban cigars are widely sold by tobacconists and specialist retailers, and you can legally buy, own and smoke them, subject to the same tobacco rules as other cigars, such as the age limit of 18, packaging laws and duty.
Cuban cigars by country
| Place | Status |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Legal to buy, own and smoke |
| United States | Illegal, due to the trade embargo |
| Reason for US ban | Embargo against Cuba since 1962 |
| UK bought, taken to US | Not allowed into the US |
| Still harmful? | Yes, like all cigars |
Why they are illegal in the US
The illegal reputation comes from the United States. In 1962, the US imposed a trade embargo on Cuba, following the Cuban Revolution and Cuba''s alignment with the Soviet Union, banning trade in Cuban goods, cigars included. That embargo remains, so it is illegal for people in the US to buy or import Cuban cigars, even bought in a third country like the UK. The ban became a symbol of the political tension between the two countries.
Cuban cigars are legal in the UK, subject to normal tobacco rules. They are illegal in the US because of a trade embargo against Cuba in place since 1962. Like all cigars, they are still harmful.
Myths and facts
| Myth | The reality |
|---|---|
| Cuban cigars are illegal everywhere | No, they are legal in the UK; the ban is a US matter. |
| The UK ban ended recently | The UK has never banned Cuban cigars; there is no UK embargo on Cuba. |
| You can buy them in the UK and take them to the US | No, US rules prohibit bringing Cuban cigars into the US, even from a third country. |
| Cuban cigars are safe because they are premium | No, like all cigars they are harmful and contain nicotine. |
Frequently asked questions
Why are Cuban cigars illegal?
They are illegal in the United States due to a trade embargo against Cuba, in place since 1962; in the UK they are legal.
Are Cuban cigars legal in the UK?
Yes, they are legal to buy, own and smoke in the UK, subject to normal tobacco rules.
Why does the US ban them?
Because of the US trade embargo on Cuba, which bans trade in Cuban goods, including cigars.
Can I bring UK Cuban cigars into the US?
No, US rules prohibit bringing Cuban cigars into the country, even if bought legally elsewhere.
Are Cuban cigars less harmful?
No, like all cigars they are harmful and contain nicotine, regardless of quality or reputation.
The bottom line
Cuban cigars are legal to buy, own and smoke in the UK, subject to the normal tobacco rules such as the age limit of 18, so their illegal reputation does not apply here. That reputation comes from the United States, where a trade embargo against Cuba, in place since 1962, makes it illegal to buy or import Cuban goods, including cigars, even from a third country like the UK. Like all cigars, though, Cuban cigars are still harmful and contain nicotine.
More help and related reading
If this guide raised other questions, the Help and Guidance library has plain English answers to many more. The closely related pages below are worth a look, and you can always return to the main hub to browse every topic we cover. If you are unsure about a product or rule, our team and the official guidance are the best places to check.
- Is there nicotine in cigars?
- How much tobacco can you bring back to the UK?
- What countries still sell menthol cigarettes?
- Browse the full Help and Guidance library
Key things to remember
- Cuban cigars are legal in the UK
- Their illegal reputation comes from the US
- The US embargo on Cuba dates to 1962
- US citizens cannot buy or import them, even via the UK
- Like all cigars, they are still harmful
Why the confusion exists
The confusion over Cuban cigars comes almost entirely from the United States, whose embargo is so well known that the idea of Cuban cigars being banned has spread worldwide, even to countries where they are perfectly legal. In the UK, there has never been such a ban, and Cuban cigars are openly sold by tobacconists.
It is also worth being clear that the embargo follows the person, not just the place, US citizens are barred from buying Cuban cigars even abroad, and from bringing them into the US. For a UK resident at home, none of that applies, though all cigars remain harmful.
Legal status at a glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Legal in the UK? | Yes |
| Legal in the US? | No |
| Reason for US ban | Embargo on Cuba since 1962 |
| UK to US allowed? | No |
| Harmful? | Yes, like all cigars |
A few more questions
Can I smoke a Cuban cigar in the UK?
Yes, it is legal for adults, subject to normal tobacco and smoking rules; remember cigars are still harmful and contain nicotine.
Do and don’t
Do
- Buy Cuban cigars from reputable UK tobacconists
- Remember they are legal for adults in the UK
- Be aware they cannot be taken into the US
- Treat them as harmful, like all cigars
Try not to
- Assume they are banned in the UK
- Try to bring them into the US
- Believe premium means safe
- Buy obvious counterfeits or unlabelled boxes
Cuban cigars and your health
Whatever their legal status or reputation, Cuban cigars are tobacco products and are harmful. They contain nicotine, which is addictive, and cigar smoke carries tar, carbon monoxide and toxic chemicals. Even cigar smokers who do not inhale absorb nicotine through the lining of the mouth and face raised risks of mouth, throat and other cancers.
So while a UK reader can legally enjoy a Cuban cigar, the legality says nothing about safety. As with all tobacco, the healthiest choice is not to smoke, and free stop smoking services can help anyone wanting to quit.
Reputation versus reality
| Belief | Reality |
|---|---|
| Banned everywhere | Legal in the UK; banned in the US |
| Premium means safe | All cigars are harmful |
| No nicotine if not inhaled | Nicotine is absorbed through the mouth |
| A safe luxury | Linked to serious health risks |
| Fine to take to the US | Not allowed into the US |
More questions answered
Where can I buy Cuban cigars in the UK?
From specialist tobacconists, cigar shops and some airports; they are imported and sold legally, subject to UK tobacco rules.
Has the US embargo ever changed?
The rules have shifted over the decades depending on the administration, but the embargo and the cigar ban remain in place.
A couple more questions
Are Cuban cigars better quality?
They have a strong reputation for craftsmanship, which adds to their mystique, but reputation does not make them any less harmful.
Can US citizens ever buy them?
US citizens can buy and enjoy Cuban cigars while in Cuba, but cannot bring them into the US or buy them elsewhere under the embargo.
A quick word on safety and the law
Vaping and nicotine products are intended for adult smokers and existing vapers as a less harmful alternative to cigarettes. They contain nicotine unless stated otherwise, which is addictive, and they are not suitable for non smokers, pregnant women or anyone under 18. By law you must be 18 or over to buy vaping products in the UK, and we age verify every order. If you want to stop using nicotine altogether, your local stop smoking service offers free, tailored support.
UK public health bodies advise that vaping is substantially less harmful than smoking, but it is not risk free, and if you do not smoke the advice is not to start.
This guide is general information about rules as they currently stand and is not legal advice. Laws differ by country and can change, so always check the current local rules.
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