OpenTube

Save Cigars UK Livestream w Eddie Sahakian, Jemma Freeman, Ajay Patel, and Philip Buckthorpe

Kirby Allison

52,146 views

If you are watching this, please help save cigars by completing the consultation! https://www.savecigars.co.uk

The UK government's consultation on plain packaging for handmade premium cigars closes in 24 days — 2nd October 2026.

Tonight I'm joined live by four of the most important voices in Britain's premium cigar world for a final push to make sure every cigar lover who hasn't responded yet knows what's at stake and how to act.

Guests:
🎙 Jemma Freeman — Chairman, Hunters & Frankau, exclusive UK distributor for Habanos S.A.
🎙 Eddie Sahakian — Owner, Davidoff of London, St James's Street
🎙 Ajay Patel — No. 6 Cavendish
🎙 Philip Buckthorpe — Founder, Save Cigars campaign

Plain packaging was designed for mass-market cigarettes. Premium handmade cigars are a different product entirely — different manufacture, different consumer, different market. When Ireland introduced comparable rules, producers stopped supplying. Box sales collapsed. The government's own Impact Assessment acknowledges £101.9 million in costs with zero monetised benefits.

The consultation is open to everyone. The government is legally required to consider every individual response it receives. Yours takes 15 minutes.

👉 savecigars.co.uk → click "I am a Consumer" → submit before 2nd October

Plain packaging. Plain nonsense. Help save cigars today.

0:00 Welcome & Introduction
4:20 Eddie Sahakian — Davidoff of London
13:45 Eddie: London's Place in the Global Cigar World
21:00 Eddie: No Youth Market — The Case for an Exemption
24:30 Jemma Freeman — Hunters & Frankau (est. 1790)
35:00 Jemma: Article 5.3 & the Silencing of the Industry
51:00 Jemma: The Flawed Impact Assessment
59:30 Jemma: Why Plain Packaging Destroys the Category Overnight
1:17:30 Ajay Patel — No. 6 Cavendish
1:22:00 Ajay: Live Authentication Demo — What We Lose
1:35:30 Ajay: Cedar Lining & the Science of Aging Cigars
1:39:30 Philip Buckthorpe — savecigars.co.uk
1:52:00 Final Call to Action

20 Comments

@TheJosephHarris 3 weeks ago

Don’t live in the UK but here to stand with unregulated tobacco and freedoms for UK!

Kirby Alison working for the people!!

@marcuscreasy6195 3 weeks ago

Government overreach is one of the most destructive forces on earth.

@Trav84 4 weeks ago

Man Eddie needs to do more YouTube livestreams he’s great at it.

@MrGargled 4 weeks ago

We have this madness here in Ireland. It's grotesque and insulting. You can't even see a box on display.

@Hugosmokes 4 weeks ago

This was an amazing stream with lots of thoughtful and meaningful statements from all your guests! Will do my part to contribute to the fight! 🙌🏻 👏🏻🙏🏻

@DG-dd2ln 4 weeks ago

I filled out the survey noted in podcast. Our current alcohol and tobacco standards are thorough enough as is.
The threat ultimately is individual freedom.

@Ramon-u7j6s 4 weeks ago

The UK is a nanny state. I hope this doesn't come into effect; however, having lived in the UK for years, this will come to pass sooner or later.

@rorymyers8810 6 days ago

I've just filled out the survey/petition,
Glad I didn't miss the deadline.
I just wish I knew about it sooner.

@henrikhove7102 3 weeks ago

Filled out the survey, thank you for raising this issue!!

@arthurdailey4514 2 weeks ago (edited)

Greetings from Scotland. As a cigar lover, I hope the Government in the UK see sense. It is over-stepping the mark if they go to plain packaging, it is totally unnecessary and targeting the wrong people. Cigar lovers - United We Stand! Kirby, thankyou for supporting our cause! ✊️✊️

@AdamEltoro 3 weeks ago

This is unfortunate and quite a disappointment in the UK Government. As a United States citizen, I wish you all the best in your fight. Keep Calm and Smoke on!

@travelman158 4 weeks ago (edited)

UK in general is in seriously in decline on many fronts! You folks have bigger problems than just plain packaging to worry about. I wish you all well...in your fight in general to hold onto your great traditions and what made UK great at one time in the history of our world. So sad to see what is happening to your country now.

@jameslowe6253 4 weeks ago

The people in government this day and age are the type that would blame the motor vehicle for running over someone! Crazy times!

@josephserio2420 3 weeks ago

In2020, something significant happened in the premium cigar world. A Hong Kong-linked company acquired 50% of Habanos, which controls Cuba’s premium cigar exports. China is now the biggest market by revenue for Habanos cigars. Meanwhile, the UK has passed a generational tobacco ban covering cigars, and is considering further packaging restrictions. I’m not saying there’s proof China is behind UK policy. But when Western markets tighten and Asia becomes the growth center, it’s worth asking who benefits economically. Follow the ownership, follow the markets, follow the money.

@luap89 2 weeks ago

Eddie is one clued up geeza - He knows the score 👌

@ber00781 2 weeks ago

The highlight of my trip to the UK was meeting Eddie S and his father. They were so genuine and kind. It was a real expression the cultural heritage of the UK, which is what I was seeking. We stayed at the Royal Automobile Club, which was sublime. But my 20 minutes with Eddie and his father was the enduring memory of the city of London. It’s the same as banning fish & chips.

@thomasobrien4649 2 weeks ago

Consultation filled in. I hope they take our opinions into account

@mariolopez-oi2td 4 weeks ago

It won't do anything because the government are tyrants that need overthrown.

@morphyon 4 weeks ago

Reluctant cigar smoker here (mainly because of health concerns), so basically on my way out: But, you have my vote, this proposal solves nothing and makes live miserable for too many people.