Demand for Cuban cigars has increased despite the growth of anti-tobacco laws around the world.

This year marks 520 years since Christopher Columbus first saw tobacco and brought it to Europe. Western Europe remains a key market for Cuban cigars.
Distributor Habanos announced 9% sales growth in 2011. Javier Terres, vice president of the company, said that the main market for cigars is in China, while other markets are on the decline. For example, last year, Habanos sales in China, including Hong Kong and Macau, grew by 39%, while in Spain they fell by 20%. Sales in Russia have remained at a stable high level. "There's no smoking ban there. You can still smoke in bars, clubs and restaurants," notes the distributor in Moscow, Ryd Bu Karama. Cuba exports 80% of its products to every country in the world except the U.S., which bans Cuban imports under the trade embargo. But many Americans use the black market.
Farmers earn several thousand dollars for a year's crop of tobacco. In contrast, most Cubans still work for the state, earning $ 20 a month.
All profits from cigar sales go to Cuban health care.

Based on foreign press for ForTrader.org