Here in the United States when we think about tighter controls on cigars from Cuba, we always seem to think in terms of the embargo and the controls that American has put in place to stop people bringing in cigars from Cuba. But this time it’s Cuba that’s cracking down on the export of cigars.

Don’t panic if you’re not in the United States - Cuba isn’t about to stop exporting cigars to your country. And you shouldn’t panic if you’re here in the United States either - Cuba isn’t about to stop you from taking cigars out of the country if you’ve been able to head there for holidays.

It’s just where you get the cigars from and how many cigars you’re trying to take out of the country that Cuba wants to control more strongly.

In Cuba there are two markets for cigar production and sales. There are the officially sanctioned factories that are subject to government control and where prices are fixed. When you go on holidays to Cuba you’re permitted to buy from the licensed factories but you will pay quite an inflated price for whatever you buy.