Steve Saka vs. California

In a statement released on his social media accounts, Steve Saka, founder and co-owner of Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust (DTT), announced that in response to recent legislation passed in the State of California, his products will no longer be sold there as of January 1, 2026.

“DTT has decided not to register our handcrafted cigars for sale in the State of California, in accordance with their recently enacted UTL regulations.”

The California “Unflavored Tobacco List” (UTL) is a list of specific tobacco products whose sale is permitted under the state’s flavored tobacco ban. All products not on this list will be illegal as of January 1, 2026.

The UTL was created to close legal loopholes in the flavor ban law (AB 3218) and strengthen its enforcement by preventing the sale of “non-menthol” products that imitate flavored ones and to streamline the regulation of all tobacco products.

According to Saka’s post, there are several reasons for his decision, including excessive cost, an unreasonable application process, and a governmental attitude he views as “they’ll kneel.”

But he clarifies that the main reason is his refusal to establish any legal, corporate, or fiscal nexus with the State of California. “Their government is punitive, unreasonable, and litigious against businesses in general, and in the tobacco sector, it’s much worse.”

Additionally, he announced that Proposition 65 warning labels will be removed from all future boxes, as he considers them to be “factually incorrect.”

He concludes by emphasizing that as of January 1, 2026, Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust’s handmade cigars will become illegal and contraband products in the State of California, a situation that has already been communicated to his state-level vendors.

“I understand that most companies of any reasonable size will likely comply; that is their prerogative, and I do not blame them for doing so. However, in the case of DTT, I prefer to adhere to my principles over business concerns.”