"Cigars are no longer just for the seasoned smoker.      They have become a staple in society for rookies and veterans alike,        representing an air of character, class and pleasure. Whether it's a          satisfying smoke after dinner, during a round of golf, or out at the          bar for drinks, cigars are the perfect complement to your lifestyle        because that is exactly what defines cigar smoking:      -- your lifestyle. Welcome to the good life!"
Habanos S.A.

Habanos S.A. is the arm of the Cuban state tobacco monopoly "Cubatabaco", that controls the promotion, distribution, and export of Cuban cigars and other tobacco products worldwide.

The word "habanos" literally means "something from Havana", and is the word used in the Spanish-speaking world for Havana cigars and, sometimes, cigars in general.

Habanos S.A. owns the trademarks of every brand of Cuban-made cigars and cigarettes in the countries they are exported to and franchises the La Casa del Habano chain of cigar stores.

To control distribution and protect against counterfeiting, Habanos S.A. exports to only one company in each country (Hunters & Frankau for Great Britain and Gibraltar, 5th Avenue Cigars for Germany, Intertabak for Switzerland, Pacific Cigar Co. for most of the Pacific Rim, etc.). The only nation to which Habanos S.A. doesn't sell cigars is the United States, which has had a trade embargo against Cuba since 1962.

Altadis

In 2000, the Franco-Spanish tobacco giant Altadis purchased 50% of Habanos S.A.. There has been speculation that their influence has led to Habanos' drastic restructuring of their Cuban cigar lines and size offerings, the adoption of marketing practices and production methods more in-line with cigar companies that market in the US, and the increasing number of "special release" and "limited edition" lines of cigars.

It has also been suggested that Altadis might be ramping Habanos up ready to trade with the US, anticipating the end of the embargo.

Altadis is a multinational purveyor and manufacturer of cigarettes, tobacco and cigars. Altadis is the result of a 1999 merger between Tabacalera, the former Spanish tobacco monopoly and SEITA, the former French tobacco monopoly. The company was acquired by Imperial Tobacco in February 2008.

Takeover by Imperial

On 18 July 2007, the board of Altadis backed a €16.2 billion offer for the company by Imperial Tobacco. The acquisition was cleared by the Spanish stock market regulator on 7 November 2007, paving the way for the creation of the world's fourth largest tobacco company. The offer period for Altadis' shares expired on 18 January 2008, after which the company was removed from the IBEX 35 index. The acquisition was completed on 25 February 2008 with the delisting of Altadis from the Bolsa de Madrid.