St. Louis Considering Smoking Ban Exemption to Attract PCA Convention & Trade Show

[JohnS]

St. Louis Considering Smoking Ban Exemption to Attract PCA Convention & Trade Show

March 13, 2026 - Charlie Minato

For many years, St. Louis has been floated as one of the few cities that could host the Premium Cigar Association’s annual convention and trade show. The list of cities is quite short because the trade show needs a convention center of a certain size and also one that would allow smoking.

Today, St. Louis took a step towards making that a possibility.

The St. Louis Board of Aldermen voted 8 to 6 with one abstaining to advance a bill that would create an event-specific exemption that would allow smoking in certain parts of the America’s Center Convention Complex, the city’s convention center.

“It is a premier cigar convention that the convention center has been trying to get to the city of St. Louis for the last several years,” said Alderman Rasheen Aldridge, D-14, at today’s meeting. “Unfortunately, there was a hiccup because of the non-smok(ing) act that was passed, has the convention center in there.”

Aldridge, who said that he is a not a cigar smoker but is the bill’s sponsor, referred to the organization as the “Premier Cigar Association,” but there was no question as to what event he was referring to; he mentioned that event had been held in Las Vegas and New Orleans, the two cities that have hosted every PCA Convention & Trade Show since 2013.

As part of the proposal, the convention center would need to have both permanent and temporary filtration and exhaust systems, set up physical barriers between the smoking and non-smoking areas, and signage to designate which areas are smoking and not smoking.

Members of the Board of Aldermen indicated they received lots of emails about the proposed exemption, likely in part due to not fully understanding what the PCA Convention & Trade Show is. Much of the confusion seemed to be about whether the exemption would be a more widespread exemption, like one that would be permanent or exempt more than just part of the convention center. Even amongst the members themselves, there was clear tension between an effort to generate more revenue for the city and the weakening of anti-tobacco measures in the city.

At various points, Aldridge suggested that it was a one-day event—it is four days—and that people wanted to sample cigars so they could decide if they wanted to purchase more. While that is somewhat true, the PCA Convention & Trade Show is an industry event that primarily exists for retailers to attend and place orders with cigar companies. It is not open to consumers and retailers are placing orders to be delivered in the future, not to walk out of a convention center with boxes of cigars.

Per Aldridge, Brad Dean—president and ceo of Explore St. Louis, which operates the convention center—has been working to get the trade show to the city. Aldridge said that it would have a $4.2 million economic impact, including generating $465,000 in tax revenue for the city, and bringing 5,000 people to the city.

He also touted that it would create over 1,200 jobs, a figure that likely references the number of people required to put on the event, though the proposal includes language that would allow any convention center worker to opt out of working the event due to concerns about smoking or any other reason. Aldridge credited Stanley’s Cigars, a local cigar bar with 150 years of history, for helping him to better understand the issue.

If St. Louis becomes an option for the PCA, it wouldn’t be until 2030 at the earliest. The Premium Cigar Association has already announced the locations of its next four trade shows:

• PCA 2026 — New Orleans Morial Convention Center (April 17-20)
• PCA 2027 — Las Vegas Convention Center West Hall (March 5-8)
• PCA 2028 — Las Vegas Convention Center South Hall (March 3-6)
• PCA 2029 — New Orleans Morial Convention Center (TBA)

“It’s always good to see more cities acknowledging the economic footprint of the PCA trade show and other shows like it where smoking is an essential feature,” said Joshua Habursky, ceo and executive director of the PCA, in response to an email from halfwheel asking what the organization’s plans might be for St. Louis. “We are under contract with Vegas and New Orleans for the next 4 years, but this gives us another option to consider for future years.”

Source: https://halfwheel.com/st-louis-considering-smoking-ban-exemption-to-attract-pca-convention-trade-show/464526/

[JohnS]

St. Louis Bets on Smoke to Lure Big-Money Cigar Show

By Marisol Keane - Published on March 14, 2026

Source: Unsplash/ GRAS GRÜN

St. Louis aldermen are weighing whether a little indoor cigar smoke is worth a short burst of convention cash. This week they advanced a narrow exemption to the city's indoor smoking rules that is tailored to help land a major cigar trade show and its downtown spending spree.

As reported by the St. Louis Business Journal, the item moved forward on March 13, 2026, with backers pitching the change as a way to secure a "premier cigar convention." Organizers estimate the event could generate roughly $4.2 million in regional economic impact and as many as 1,200 jobs tied to the show.

How the exemption is framed

Per the city's Board of Aldermen website, the proposal appears as Board Bill 167 and is sponsored by Alderman Rasheen Aldridge. The municipal listing describes the item as a specific "Convention Exemption," signaling that the allowance is meant to apply to particular events rather than unravel the city's broader indoor smoking rules.

A long history of limits and carve-outs

St. Louis has wrestled with indoor smoking rules for years, moving toward a more comprehensive ban more than a decade ago while still carving out limited exemptions for certain venues. St. Louis Public Radio documented those earlier debates, which produced exceptions for cigar shops and similar spaces.

Public health tradeoffs and the tourism pitch

Supporters told the St. Louis Business Journal that the exemption would help the city compete for a high-profile trade event and the hotel nights and visitor spending that come with it. Public health authorities, meanwhile, warn that indoor smoking exposes workers and guests to secondhand smoke, and federal guidance says comprehensive smoke-free policies are the only reliable way to prevent that exposure, according to the CDC.

What happens next

The measure has cleared an initial hurdle in the legislative process and will require additional approvals before it could take effect. If it becomes law, city officials would still need to spell out any administrative rules and permitting, with meeting calendars and full bill text available on the Board of Aldermen's website for residents tracking the next steps.

Source: https://hoodline.com/2026/03/st-louis-bets-on-smoke-to-lure-big-money-cigar-show/

[El Niño]

I was born and raised in STL. I would love to see this for them. They need ANYTHING they can get! 

[feernot]

6 hours ago, El Niño said:

I was born and raised in STL. I would love to see this for them. They need ANYTHING they can get! 

My in-laws live in STL so we're there a few times a year. Do you know or recommend any good cigar place in the city? I know there are several and I've looked them up before, but would be more interested in one recommended from another member.

[Ford2112]

6 hours ago, El Niño said:

I was born and raised in STL. I would love to see this for them. They need ANYTHING they can get! 

They have the Cardinals and they have ribs...

[Cigar Surgeon]

I think it's great they're pursuing an exemption for the convention center. As an attendee I think unless there are after hours venues for attendees to smoke in, this would be a hard sell for the exhibitors and retailers.

[El Niño]

On 3/16/2026 at 9:47 AM, feernot said:

My in-laws live in STL so we're there a few times a year. Do you know or recommend any good cigar place in the city? I know there are several and I've looked them up before, but would be more interested in one recommended from another member.

I wish I had first-hand experience, but I haven't lived there since becoming a serious cigar smoker. However, I have a dear friend who is. Here's his list. I'll have to check them out myself next time I'm up there. 

1) Charles P Stanley Cigars - Downtown - the og cigar joint in STL been there forever it’s huge
2) Hill Cigar Co - The Hill Neighborhood - down to earth neighborhood joint with a nice selection
3) MAC Club Downtown - Downtown - you need a membership to get in but one of the best places to smoke
4) Ash Cigar - Midtown STL - Black owned, always a vibe, they’ll bring in DJ’s and live music
5) Lit Cigar - Chesterfield - huge selection of both sticks and booze

 

[feernot]

I wish I had first-hand experience, but I haven't lived there since becoming a serious cigar smoker. However, I have a dear friend who is. Here's his list. I'll have to check them out myself next time I'm up there. 

1) Charles P Stanley Cigars - Downtown - the og cigar joint in STL been there forever it’s huge
2) Hill Cigar Co - The Hill Neighborhood - down to earth neighborhood joint with a nice selection
3) MAC Club Downtown - Downtown - you need a membership to get in but one of the best places to smoke
4) Ash Cigar - Midtown STL - Black owned, always a vibe, they’ll bring in DJ’s and live music
5) Lit Cigar - Chesterfield - huge selection of both sticks and booze
 

Wow! That’s awesome. I really appreciate you sharing this.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Dadof3]

New Orleans and Vegas are cities that grownups interested in cigars likely are happy to visit.  There is a reason that sports leagues have finally cracked and given teams to Vegas and there is a reason the NFL keeps having New Orleans host super bowls despite the Superdome being one of the oldest stadiums in the league. 

[JohnS]

St. Louis Moves Forward With Smoking Ban Exemption to Attract PCA Convention & Trade Show (Update)

March 20, 2026 - Charlie Minato

For many years, St. Louis has been floated as one of the few cities that could host the Premium Cigar Association’s annual convention and trade show. The list of cities is quite short because the trade show needs a convention center of a certain size and also one that would allow smoking.

Update (March 20, 2026) — The St. Louis Board of Aldermen voted 8 to 6 with one abstaining to pass the bill, the same results as when the bill was introduced last week. The bill now heads to Mayor Cara Spencer, who will need to approve the exemption.

When the bill was debated last Friday, most of the opposition was related to smoking, but a new form of criticism was levied today. Three aldermen opposed to the bill pointed out that the bill does not define what a “convention facility” is, which could potentially allow for other city-owned venues to get the exemption.

The fiercest opposition came from Alderwoman Sharon Tyus, D-12, who said that citizens should sue over the bill’s language and that the city should stop funding the convention center if it will allow for smoking. 

Alderman Rasheen Aldridge, D-14, the bill’s sponsor, said that the event was targeted for 2030. As halfwheel mentioned last week, 2030 is the first open date for the PCA Convention & Trade Show. The only other notable part of today’s hearing was that it was mentioned that the event may only take place once every three to five years, perhaps a sign that the PCA Convention & Trade Show would only be hosted in St. Louis every three to five years.

This post was originally published on March 13. The original version of the story is above.

Source: https://halfwheel.com/st-louis-considering-smoking-ban-exemption-to-attract-pca-convention-trade-show/464526/

[JohnS]

St. Louis Mayor Signs Bill Allowing for PCA Trade Show

April 13, 2026 - Charlie Minato

Last week, Mayor Cara Spencer signed into law an ordinance that will clear the way for the city to host the PCA Convention & Trade Show.

In March, the St. Louis Board of Aldermen voted 8-6, with one abstaining, in favor of the bill, which creates a specialized exemption to the city’s indoor smoking ban. All that was left was a sign off from Spencer. Ordinance 72136 allows for a temporary exemption at convention facilities within the city for certain events. Alderman Rasheen Aldridge, D-14, the bill’s sponsor, said the proposal was introduced to allow the PCA Convention & Trade Show to take place at America’s Center, the city’s convention center.

If the Premium Cigar Association does plan a trade show in St. Louis, it likely won’t be before 2030. The organization has already announced the locations of the next four trade shows:

• PCA 2026 — New Orleans Morial Convention Center (April 17-20)
• PCA 2027 — Las Vegas Convention Center West Hall (March 5-8)
• PCA 2028 — Las Vegas Convention Center South Hall (March 3-6)
• PCA 2029 — New Orleans Morial Convention Center (TBA)

“It is welcomed news that another large-scale venue is allowing for trade show and convention smoking,” said Joshua Habursky, ceo and executive director of the PCA, in an email to halfwheel. “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 as well as new event activations like a partnership exhibition with the spirits industry (b2b), which we have been exploring recently. We hope other cities like Nashville will see what St. Louis just did and follow suit to expand options with adequate exhibitor space where smoking is permissible.”

His statement is more or less the same as the one he gave halfwheel a month ago, but with one major addition: the last sentence about Nashville. Attendees have the event have often mentioned Nashville, alongside Miami and Tampa, as potential alternatives to Las Vegas and New Orleans. While sources have told halfwheel that the city of Tampa is very interested in hosting the trade show, the previous PCA leadership dismissed Tampa’s convention center as being too small for the event. It’s unclear how viable Miami is as a potential host.

Source: https://halfwheel.com/st-louis-mayor-signs-bill-allowing-for-pca-trade-show/467030/