First CSWC in Canada Confirmed

The Canadian national qualifier for the Cigar Smoking World Championship is finally confirmed. The addition of Canada as one of eight new countries on the CSWC circuit was announced just days after the draft night this spring, but the time and place hasn’t been set until now.

On August 8 this historic event will take place at a secret location in Toronto. It will bring together cigar enthusiasts from across the nation and it will be hosted by a cigar enthusiast Ivan Lukaroski, who expressed his excitement about this upcoming event.

“It’s an honor to host the first CSWC qualifying event in Canada,” he says. “This competition is not just about smoking cigars; it’s about precision, patience, and passion. I look forward to witnessing the incredible skills of our Canadian competitors.”

Lukaroski personally first heard about the CSWC through an article in the Wall Street Journal many years ago, he says. The concept intrigued him so much that he decided to participate as a competitor.

“I competed in the CSWC event in Skopje, North Macedonia, where I finished in second place. It was an unforgettable experience that deepened my love for the sport and the community.”

The qualifier is organized with the help of Lukaroski’s friends and fellow cigar enthusiasts, Christopher Di Poce and Louie Daddese, and local Toronto cigar store owner Trae Zammit from The Smokin’ Cigar.

“We are excited to bring this unique event to Canada and to provide a platform for Canadian cigar lovers to showcase their talents on an international stage,” Lukaroski says.