Habanos S.A. Confirms Prison Laborers Are Rolling Cuban Cigars

[nKostyan]

Historically, this was the case when Cuba was a Spanish colony. This is why the cigar rolling room has the historical name "galera." Slaves and prisoners were responsible for cigar rolling. In fact, prisoners were still rolling cigars for the domestic market (“bodega cigars” or "folk cigars") even before the COVID pandemic.

Habanos formally receives cigars from Tabacuba, and its responsibility is marketing and quality. This can be presented as a return to historically authentic cigar production.

[Sanchez27]

On 10/4/2025 at 10:39 AM, LizardGizmo said:

The Prisoners Defenders NGO yesterday released a response to Habanos S.A.’s confirmation of the use of prison labor including a detail of specific international laws which they believe are being violated.

Here’s the direct link with multiple languages available: https://www.prisonersdefenders.org/2025/10/03/tabacuba-y-habanos-s-a-admiten-publicamente-el-uso-de-presos-para-la-elaboracion-de-cigarros-puros-destinados-a-la-exportacion/

Here’s the PDF in English:

EN CUBA Tabacuba and Habanos S.A. publicly admit to using prisoners to make cigars for export.pdf

The whole press release to Halfwheel has got to be one of the dumbest things Habanos S.A. has ever done, or any company for that matter. Now that they've confirmed this, it's only a matter of time before politicians begin lining up to call for a ban on the importation of Cuban cigars. Up till now governments could turn a blind eye to the sorry state of Cuba's affairs and human rights - sad, but not our problem. But now that we're talking about verifiable goods and profit created using prison labour, with zero oversight or compliance with international laws, it puts a huge target on the backs of any importers and prominent retailers who handle these goods in foreign countries. The argument that other goods in other countries are produced using prison labour has no grounds, as those are documented processes subject to external verification and checks. 

And whilst it's true other goods are known to be tainted by production practices, such as forced labour in the supply chain, in all instances manufacturers take the line that they will investigate and stamp out the problem. Or claim it's an isolated incident with a single supplier. What Habanos S.A. have done instead is drink the Kool-Aid, and tell everyone it's delicious!

This debacle is only just beginning...

[VeguerosMAN]

Would you buy boxes of Habanos rolled by convicts if the prices are pre-Covid level???  I think I might take a chance and grab a few boxes. Cigar rolling isn't rocket science after all...  

[SCgarman]

58 minutes ago, VeguerosMAN said:

Would you buy boxes of Habanos rolled by convicts if the prices are pre-covid level???  I think I might take a chance and grab a few boxes.  Cigar rolling isn't rocket science after all...  

No, no, and no. If anyone and everyone are capable of rolling cigars, then why does Cuba have a "shortage"? Pull teenage school kids using a lottery system and train them to roll cigars. What else would they do for a living anyway? The Cuban economy is stagnant. 

[VeguerosMAN]

12 hours ago, SCgarman said:

No, no, and no. If anyone and everyone are capable of rolling cigars, then why does Cuba have a "shortage"? Pull teenage school kids using a lottery system and train them to roll cigars. What else would they do for a living anyway? The Cuban economy is stagnant. 

"Not everyone can become a great artist; but a great artist can come from anywhere". Therefore, I believe "not everyone can become a great roller: but a great roller can come from anywhere", even in prison with the right training. I hear rumors that school kids are already rolling cigars in Cuba, but then again it's just a rumor.  

[MrBirdman]

On 10/6/2025 at 12:17 PM, Sanchez27 said:

Now that they've confirmed this, it's only a matter of time before politicians begin lining up to call for a ban on the importation of Cuban cigars.

I agree, though I think the threat of a ban would prompt Tabacuba to end the practice. 

This news turns the “ultra-luxury” rebranding into even more of a farce. Not that HSA’s target clientele is likely to care in the slightest.