CONSOLIDATED CIGAR HOLDINGS INC
S-1/A, 1997-03-03
TOBACCO PRODUCTS
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<PAGE>
   
  AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON MARCH 3, 1997 
                                                    REGISTRATION NO. 333-20743 
==============================================================================
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 
                      ---------------------------------
                               AMENDMENT NO. 1 
                                      TO 
    

                                   FORM S-1 

                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT 
                       UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 
                       -------------------------------- 
                       CONSOLIDATED CIGAR HOLDINGS INC. 
            (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER) 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 <S>                                  <C>                               <C>
              DELAWARE                              2121                      13-3694743 
   (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF      (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL       (I.R.S. EMPLOYER 
   INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)       CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER)      IDENTIFICATION NO.) 
</TABLE>

   
                          5900 NORTH ANDREWS AVENUE 
                                  SUITE 700 
                     FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA 33309-2369 
                                (954) 772-9000 
                 (Address, including zip code, and telephone 
                       number, including area code, of 
                  Registrant's principal executive offices) 
                  ----------------------------------------- 
    
                           BARRY F. SCHWARTZ, ESQ. 
                       CONSOLIDATED CIGAR HOLDINGS INC. 
                             35 EAST 62ND STREET 
                           NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10021 
                                (212) 572-8600 

                   (Name, address, including zip code, and 
                       telephone number, including area 
                         code, of agent for service) 
                         --------------------------- 
                       Copies of all communications to: 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                           <C>
            Stacy J. Kanter, Esq.                Kris F. Heinzelman, Esq. 
   Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP      Cravath, Swaine & Moore 
               919 Third Avenue                     825 Eighth Avenue 
           New York, New York 10022              New York, New York 10019 
                (212) 735-3000                       (212) 474-1000 
</TABLE>

   APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: As soon 
as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement. 

   If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered 
on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities 
Act of 1933, please check the following box.  [ ] 

   If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering 
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following 
box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier 
effective registration statement for the same offering.  [ ] 

   If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) 
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act 
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement 
for the same offering.  [ ] 

   
   If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, 
please check the following box.  [ ] 
    

   THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR 
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT 
SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS 
REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) 
OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL 
BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID 
SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE. 

<PAGE>
                               EXPLANATORY NOTE 

   This Registration Statement contains two forms of prospectus: one to be 
used in connection with an offering in the United States (the "U.S. 
Prospectus") and one to be used in a concurrent offering outside the United 
States (the "International Prospectus"). The two prospectuses are identical 
except for the front and back cover pages, the inside front cover page, and 
the section entitled "Underwriting." The form of U.S. Prospectus is included 
herein and is followed by the alternate pages to be used in the International 
Prospectus. Each of the alternate pages for the International Prospectus 
included herein is labeled "Alternate Page for International Prospectus." 
Final forms of each Prospectus will be filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission under Rule 424(b). 

<PAGE>

    INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A 
 REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE 
 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY 
    OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT 
 BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR 
   THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE 
  SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE 
 UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF 
                               ANY SUCH STATE. 

   
                SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED FEBRUARY 28, 1997 
    

                               5,000,000 SHARES 

                       CONSOLIDATED CIGAR HOLDINGS INC. 

                             CLASS A COMMON STOCK 

                         (PAR VALUE $0.01 PER SHARE) 

   Of the 5,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock offered, 4,000,000 shares 
are being offered hereby in the United States and 1,000,000 shares are being 
offered in a concurrent international offering outside the United States. The 
initial public offering price and the aggregate underwriting discount per 
share will be identical for both offerings. See "Underwriting." 

   All of the shares of Class A Common Stock are being sold by Mafco 
Consolidated Group Inc. (NYSE: MFO) ("Mafco Consolidated Group" or the 
"Selling Stockholder"), a corporation 85% owned by Ronald O. Perelman through 
his ownership of Mafco Holdings Inc. ("Mafco Holdings"). The Company will not 
receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares. 

   Each share of Class A Common Stock entitles its holder to one vote, and 
each share of Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Class B 
Common Stock" and, together with the Class A Common Stock, the "Common 
Stock"), of the Company entitles its holder to ten votes. All of the shares 
of Class B Common Stock are owned by Mafco Consolidated Group. Immediately 
after consummation of the Offerings (assuming no exercise of the 
over-allotment options granted to the Underwriters), Mafco Consolidated Group 
will beneficially own shares of Class B Common Stock representing 
approximately 94.7% of the combined voting power of the outstanding shares of 
Common Stock. 

   
   The last reported sales price of the Common Stock, which is listed on the 
New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "CIG," on February 28, 1997 was $25 
3/8 per share. See "Price Range of Class A Common Stock." 
    

   SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 9 FOR CERTAIN CONSIDERATIONS RELEVANT 
TO AN INVESTMENT IN THE CLASS A COMMON STOCK. 
                           ------------------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND 
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES 
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE 
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY 
                            IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. 
                            ---------------------- 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
                                                        PROCEEDS TO 
                  INITIAL PUBLIC      UNDERWRITING        SELLING 
                  OFFERING PRICE      DISCOUNT(1)      STOCKHOLDER(2) 
               ------------------  ----------------  ---------------- 
<S>            <C>                 <C>               <C>
Per Share .... 
Total(3) ..... 
    
</TABLE>
- ------------ 

   (1) The Company and the Selling Stockholder have agreed to indemnify the 
       Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under 
       the Securities Act of 1933. 

   
   (2) Before deducting estimated expenses of $700,000 to be paid by the 
       Selling Stockholder. 
    

   (3) The Selling Stockholder has granted the U.S. Underwriters an option for 
       30 days to purchase up to an additional 600,000 shares of Class A 
       Common Stock at the initial public offering price per share, less the 
       underwriting discount, solely to cover over-allotments. Additionally, 
       the Selling Stockholder has granted the International Underwriters a 
       similar option with respect to an additional 150,000 shares as part of 
       the concurrent international offering. If such options are exercised in 
       full, the total initial public offering price, underwriting discount 
       and proceeds to Selling Stockholder will be $    , $     and $    , 
       respectively. See "Underwriting." 
                            ---------------------- 
   The shares offered hereby are offered severally by the U.S. Underwriters, 
as specified herein, subject to receipt and acceptance by them and subject to 
their right to reject any order in whole or in part. It is expected that 
certificates for the shares will be ready for delivery in New York, New York, 
on or about        , 1997, against payment therefor in immediately available 
funds. 

GOLDMAN SACHS & CO. 
                               MERRILL LYNCH & CO. 
                                                          MORGAN STANLEY & CO. 
                                                                  INCORPORATED 

            The date of this Prospectus is                     , 1997. 

<PAGE>
   
 ############################################################################# 

                              MONTECRISTO GRAPHIC OMITTED 
                                 
############################################################################# 

IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERINGS, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT 
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE CLASS A 
COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY AT A LEVEL ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE 
PREVAIL IN THE OPEN MARKET. SUCH TRANSACTIONS MAY BE EFFECTED ON THE NEW YORK 
STOCK EXCHANGE, IN THE OVER-THE-COUNTER MARKET, OR OTHERWISE. SUCH 
STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME. 
    
<PAGE>
                              PROSPECTUS SUMMARY 

   The following summary is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read 
in conjunction with, the more detailed information and the Consolidated 
 Financial Statements of the Company contained elsewhere in this Prospectus.
Unless otherwise indicated, the information contained in this Prospectus 
assumes the Underwriters' over-allotment options are not exercised. Unless 
the context otherwise requires, references to the Selling Stockholder shall 
mean Mafco Consolidated Group Inc. and references to the Company shall mean 
Consolidated Cigar Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries, including its 
operating subsidiary Consolidated Cigar Corporation ("Consolidated Cigar"). 

                                 THE COMPANY 

   
   Consolidated Cigar Holdings Inc. is the largest manufacturer and marketer 
of cigars sold in the United States in terms of dollar sales, with a 1996 
market share of approximately 23% according to the Company's estimates. The 
Company markets its cigar products under a number of well-known brand names 
at all price levels and in all segments of the growing cigar market, 
including premium large cigars, mass market large cigars and mass market 
little cigars. The Company attributes its leading market position to the 
following competitive strengths: (i) well-known brand names, many of which 
are the leading brands in their category; (ii) broad range of product 
offerings within both the premium and mass market segments of the United 
States cigar market; (iii) commitment to and reputation for manufacturing 
quality cigars; (iv) marketing expertise and close attention to customer 
service; (v) efficient manufacturing operations; and (vi) an experienced 
management team. The Company is also a leading producer of pipe tobacco and 
is the largest supplier of private label and branded generic pipe tobacco to 
mass market retailers. In addition, the Company distributes a variety of pipe 
and cigar smokers' accessories. 
    

   The Company's cigars and pipe tobacco products are marketed under a number 
of well-known brand names. The Company's premium cigars include the H. 
UPMANN, MONTECRISTO, DON DIEGO, TE-AMO, SANTA DAMIANA, ROYAL JAMAICA, PRIMO 
DEL REY and MONTECRUZ brands. The Company's mass market large cigars include 
the ANTONIO Y CLEOPATRA (also known as AYC), DUTCH MASTERS, EL PRODUCTO, 
MURIEL, BACKWOODS, SUPER VALUE and SUPRE SWEETS brands. The Company's mass 
market little cigars include the DUTCH TREATS, SUPER VALUE and SUPRE SWEETS 
brands. The Company's pipe tobacco products include the MIXTURE NO. 79 and 
CHINA BLACK brands. 

   The Company believes that the growing cigar market and increased demand 
for cigars continue to offer the Company substantial growth opportunities. 
Recently, cigar smoking has gained popularity in the United States, resulting 
in a significant increase in consumption and retail sales of cigars, 
particularly for premium cigars. Management believes that this increase in 
cigar consumption and retail sales is the result of a number of factors, 
including: (i) the increase in the number of adults over the age of 50 (a 
demographic group believed to smoke more cigars than any other demographic 
segment) and (ii) the emergence of an expanding base of younger affluent 
adults who have recently started smoking cigars and who tend to smoke premium 
cigars. The Company believes the increase in cigar smoking is in large part 
attributable to a positive and improving image of cigar smoking resulting 
from increased publicity, including the success of cigar magazines, the 
increased visibility of use by celebrities and the proliferation of "Cigar 
Smokers" dinners and other special events for cigar smokers. 

   
   Consumption of cigars in the United States is currently increasing 
following a decline in consumption at a compound annual unit rate of 3.6% 
from 1964 to 1993. Consumption of cigars increased to 4.0 billion units in 
1995 from 3.4 billion units in 1993, with substantial growth in premium 
cigars. Preliminary industry statistics indicate that consumption of cigars 
increased to 4.5 billion units in 1996. Consumption of premium cigars 
increased at a compound annual unit rate of 2.4% from 1976 to 1991, at a 
compound annual unit rate of 8.9% from 1991 to 1994 and at a unit rate of 
30.5% from 1994 to 164.3 million units in 1995. Preliminary industry 
statistics indicate that consumption of premium cigars increased at a unit 
rate of approximately 67.0% from 1995 to 275.0 million units in 1996. The 
mass market segment of the industry has also experienced increased 
consumption with a compound annual unit rate of 7.2% from 1993 to 3.8 billion 
units in 1995, with consumption of mass market large cigars increasing at a 
compound 
    

                                3           
<PAGE>
   
annual unit rate of 8.8% from 1993 to 2.4 billion units in 1995. Preliminary 
industry statistics indicate that consumption of mass market cigars increased 
at a unit rate of approximately 11.0% from 1995 to 4.2 billion units in 1996, 
with consumption of mass market large cigars increasing at a unit rate of 
approximately 13.0% from 1995 to 2.7 billion units in 1996. Consumption of 
large (premium and mass market) cigars increased at a unit rate of 
approximately 17.1% from 1995 to 3.0 billion units in 1996. Retail sales of 
cigars, which generally declined from 1964 to 1987 and grew modestly from 
1987 to 1993, experienced significant growth from 1993 to 1995 with retail 
sales of cigars outpacing unit growth since 1991. This growth in retail sales 
of cigars was primarily the result of a combination of increased prices and a 
shift in the sales mix to more expensive cigars. Total retail sales have 
increased at a compound annual rate of 9.3% from 1991 to $1.0 billion in 
1995, while the corresponding compound annual unit rate was only 3.6%. 
Preliminary industry statistics indicate that total retail sales increased 
24.4% from 1995 to $1.3 billion in 1996. The Company believes that unit 
consumption of cigars and retail sales in the cigar industry should continue 
to increase in 1997 at rates similar to those experienced by the industry in 
1996 and is very optimistic about the long-term future of the cigar industry 
and the Company. There can be no assurance, however, that unit consumption 
and retail sales of cigars will continue to increase in the future. See "Risk 
Factors--Declining Market for Cigars through 1993" and "--Extensive and 
Increasing Regulation of Tobacco Products." 

   The Company's financial results reflect the strength of the cigar industry 
and the Company's leadership position in that industry. In 1996, the Company 
had net sales of $216.9 million, operating income of $54.1 million and net 
income of $29.8 million, representing increases of 37.1%, 72.1%, and 113.9%, 
respectively, from 1995 results. For the year ended December 31, 1996, cigars 
accounted for approximately 92% of the Company's net sales. 
    

   The Company believes that its competitive strengths, together with the 
following initiatives, will enable the Company to accelerate its growth, 
increase its profitability and enhance its market share: 

   CAPITALIZE ON GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES IN THE PREMIUM MARKET SEGMENT.  The 
Company intends to capitalize on the rapidly growing premium cigar market by 
(i) increasing the Company's production capabilities through its recently 
completed facility in Jamaica and continued expansion of its facilities in 
the Dominican Republic and Honduras, (ii) improving the market's awareness 
and recognition of its premium cigars through targeted marketing programs and 
(iii) expanding its premium cigar product offerings through the introduction 
of super-premium cigars, such as H. UPMANN CHAIRMAN'S RESERVE and PLAYBOY by 
DON DIEGO, and the extension of its existing brands. 

   EXPAND MASS MARKET CIGAR BUSINESS. The Company will seek to expand further 
its mass market cigar business by leveraging its well-known brand names and 
capitalizing on the growth in the premium segment with brand extensions in 
higher priced categories within the mass market segment. In addition, the 
Company intends to introduce new flavors, sizes, packaging and other new 
features and improvements to its existing mass market cigar products. The 
Company plans to increase production capacity for its mass market cigars by 
acquiring additional manufacturing equipment. 

   BROADEN MASS MARKET CIGAR DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS. The Company intends to 
broaden its existing relationships and actively develop new relationships 
with mass market retailers. The Company is also pursuing opportunities in 
other distribution channels, including marketing its mass market cigars to 
convenience stores to take advantage of the increase in consumer demand for 
mass market cigars in such locations. 

   IMPROVE MANUFACTURING PROCESSES AND RAW MATERIAL PROCUREMENT. The Company 
continually seeks ways to improve further the efficiency of its manufacturing 
operations in order to ensure quality and realize cost savings. To ensure the 
quality of its raw materials while also maximizing cost savings, the Company 
will (i) continue to develop long-term relationships with tobacco suppliers, 
(ii) expand its commercial and technical ties with local growers, (iii) 
obtain its tobacco raw materials from a variety of suppliers and growers and 
(iv) take advantage of its large purchasing requirements to negotiate 
favorable terms from suppliers. 

                                4           
<PAGE>
   PURSUE SELECTIVELY STRATEGIC ACQUISITIONS. The Company intends to pursue 
selectively strategic acquisitions in the cigar and pipe tobacco products 
industry to expand its market share and product lines and benefit from 
synergies. 

   
                             RECENT DEVELOPMENTS 

   On January 21, 1997, Mafco Consolidated Group announced that Mafco 
Holdings, its 85% stockholder, had proposed a transaction (the "Going Private 
Transaction") to the Board of Directors of Mafco Consolidated Group pursuant 
to which Mafco Consolidated Group would acquire all publicly held shares of 
its common stock. On February 20, 1997, Mafco Consolidated Group announced 
that it had entered into a definitive Agreement and Plan of Merger with Mafco 
Consolidated Holdings Inc. and MCG Acquisition Inc. pursuant to which the 
Going Private Transaction would be consummated. Consummation of the Offerings 
is not contingent upon consummation of the Going Private Transaction and 
there can be no assurance that the Going Private Transaction will be 
completed. 
    

                                5           
<PAGE>
                           OWNERSHIP OF THE COMPANY 

   
   The following chart sets forth in simplified form the ownership structure 
of the Company immediately following consummation of the Offerings and prior 
to consummation of the Going Private Transaction. 
    

                              Ronald O. Perelman 

                                     100% 

                             Mafco Holdings Inc. 
                              ("Mafco Holdings") 

                                      85% 

                        Mafco Consolidated Group Inc. 
                         ("Mafco Consolidated Group") 

   
                                     63.9% 
    

                              CONSOLIDATED CIGAR 
                                HOLDINGS INC. 
                               (THE "COMPANY") 

                                     100% 

                        Consolidated Cigar Corporation 
                            ("Consolidated Cigar") 

   The Company is a holding company with no business operations of its own. 
The Company's only material asset is all of the outstanding capital stock of 
Consolidated Cigar, through which the Company conducts its business 
operations. 

   On August 21, 1996, the Company completed an initial public offering (the 
"IPO") of 6,075,000 shares of Class A Common Stock. Immediately after 
consummation of the Offerings, Mafco Consolidated Group will beneficially own 
all of the remaining 19,600,000 outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, 
which will represent approximately 94.7% of the combined voting power of the 
outstanding shares of Common Stock (or 18,850,000 shares, representing 
approximately 94.1% of the combined voting power if the Underwriters' 
over-allotment options are exercised in full). Mafco Consolidated Group is 
85% owned through Mafco Holdings by Ronald O. Perelman. See "Security 
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Holders" and "Certain Relationships and 
Related Transactions." 

   The Company was incorporated on January 6, 1993 under the laws of the 
state of Delaware. The Company's principal executive offices are located at 
5900 North Andrews Avenue, Suite 700, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309-2369 and 
its telephone number is (954) 772-9000. 

                                6           
<PAGE>
                                THE OFFERINGS 

   The offering of 4,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock initially being 
offered in the United States (the "U.S. Offering") and the offering of 
1,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock initially being offered in a 
concurrent international offering outside the United States (the 
"International Offering") are collectively referred to as the "Offerings." 
The closing of each of the Offerings is conditioned upon the closing of the 
other Offering. 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                 <C>
 U.S. Offering .....................4,000,000 shares 
International Offering ............ 1,000,000 shares 

Common Stock to be outstanding     
 after the Offerings .............. 11,075,000 shares of Class A Common Stock (a) 
                                    19,600,000 shares of Class B Common Stock (b) 
                                   ------------
                                    30,675,000 shares of Common Stock (a)
                                   ============ 
Voting rights ..................... The Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock vote as a 
                                    single class on all matters, except as otherwise required by 
                                    law, with each share of Class A Common Stock entitling its holder 
                                    to one vote and each share of Class B Common Stock entitling 
                                    its holder to ten votes. All of the shares of Class B Common 
                                    Stock are owned by Mafco Consolidated Group, an indirect 85% 
                                    owned subsidiary of Mafco Holdings. Immediately after 
                                    consummation of the Offerings, Mafco Consolidated Group will 
                                    beneficially own shares of Class B Common Stock representing 
                                    approximately 94.7% of the combined voting power of the outstanding 
                                    shares of Common Stock (approximately 94.1% if the Underwriters' 
                                    over-allotment options are exercised in full). 
Use of Proceeds ................... The Company will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale 
                                    of the shares. See "Use of Proceeds." 
New York Stock Exchange symbol .... CIG
</TABLE>

- ------------ 

   
   (a)  Based on the number of shares outstanding as of February 28, 1997. 
        Excludes an aggregate of 3,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock 
        reserved for issuance under the Consolidated Cigar Holdings Inc. 1996 
        Stock Plan (the "Stock Plan"). As of February 28, 1997, 1,537,500 
        options were outstanding, none of which were exercisable as of such 
        date. 
    

   (b)  Each share of Class B Common Stock is convertible at any time into 
        one share of Class A Common Stock and converts automatically into one 
        share of Class A Common Stock upon a transfer to any person other 
        than a Permitted Transferee (as defined herein) of Mafco Consolidated 
        Group. See "Description of Capital Stock -- Class A Common Stock and 
        Class B Common Stock." 

                                 RISK FACTORS 

   See "Risk Factors" for a discussion of certain risks that should be 
considered in connection with an investment in the Class A Common Stock 
offered hereby. 

                                7           
<PAGE>
                      SUMMARY HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA 

   
   The following table presents summary historical financial data of the 
Company for the years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996, which were 
derived from the audited Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company 
included elsewhere in this Prospectus. 
    

   The Company's only material asset is all of the outstanding capital stock 
of Consolidated Cigar, through which the Company conducts its business 
operations. The summary historical financial data therefore reflects the 
consolidated results of Consolidated Cigar. 

   The following summary historical financial data should be read in 
conjunction with "Selected Historical Financial Data," "Management's 
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and 
the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company included elsewhere in 
this Prospectus. 

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 
                                                        ---------------------------------- 
                                                            1994        1995        1996 
                                                        ----------  ----------  ---------- 
                                                          (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE 
                                                                       DATA) 
<S>                                                     <C>         <C>         <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA: 
Net sales .............................................   $131,510    $158,166    $216,868 
Cost of sales .........................................     78,836      94,347     126,013 
                                                        ----------  ----------  ---------- 
Gross profit ..........................................     52,674      63,819      90,855 
Selling, general and administrative expenses  .........     29,413      32,393      36,776 
                                                        ----------  ----------  ---------- 
Operating income ......................................     23,261      31,426      54,079 
Interest expense, net .................................    (12,838)    (12,635)    (10,619) 
Minority interest .....................................         78        (262)       (310) 
Miscellaneous, net ....................................       (828)     (1,000)       (906) 
                                                        ----------  ----------  ---------- 
Income before provision for income taxes ..............      9,673      17,529      42,244 
Provision for income taxes ............................      1,989       3,599      12,449 
                                                        ----------  ----------  ---------- 
Net income ............................................   $  7,684    $ 13,930    $ 29,795 
                                                        ==========  ==========  ========== 
Net income per common share ...........................   $   0.31    $   0.57    $   1.11 
                                                        ==========  ==========  ========== 
Weighted average common shares 
 outstanding ..........................................     24,600      24,600      26,891 
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT PERIOD END): 
Total assets ..................................................................   $205,511 
Long-term debt (including current portion 
 and the Promissory Note) .....................................................    167,500 
Total stockholders' equity ....................................................      1,355 
OTHER DATA: 
Gross margin (a) ......................................       40.1%       40.3%       41.9% 
Operating margin (a) ..................................       17.7        19.9        24.9 
EBITDA (b) ............................................   $ 30,046    $ 38,125    $ 60,547 
EBITDA margin (b) .....................................       22.8%       24.1%       27.9% 
Capital expenditures ..................................   $    788    $    983    $  5,278 
Amortization of goodwill ..............................      1,771       1,771       1,651 
Cash flows provided by operating activities  ..........     14,259      19,801      32,583 
Cash flows provided by (used for) investing activities       5,036        (989)     (5,875) 
Cash flows used for financing activities ..............    (18,810)    (19,367)    (25,947) 
</TABLE>
    

- ------------ 

   (a)   Gross margin is defined as gross profit as a percentage of net sales 
       and operating margin is defined as operating income as a percentage of 
       net sales. 

   (b)   EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest expense, net, taxes, 
       extraordinary items, depreciation and amortization and minority 
       interest. The Company believes that EBITDA is a measure commonly used 
       by analysts, investors and others interested in the cigar industry. 
       Accordingly, this information has been disclosed herein to permit a 
       more complete analysis of the Company's operating performance. EBITDA 
       should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income 
       or other consolidated statement of operations or cash flows data 
       prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles as 
       a measure of the profitability or liquidity of the Company. EBITDA does 
       not take into account the Company's debt service requirements and other 
       commitments and, accordingly, is not necessarily indicative of amounts 
       that may be available for discretionary uses. EBITDA margin is defined 
       as EBITDA as a percentage of net sales. 

                                8           
<PAGE>
                                 RISK FACTORS 

   
   Prospective purchasers of the Class A Common Stock offered hereby should 
consider carefully all of the information set forth in this Prospectus and, 
in particular, should evaluate the following risks in connection with an 
investment in the Class A Common Stock. Information contained or incorporated 
by reference in this Prospectus contains "forward-looking statements" which 
can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as 
"believes," "expects," "may," "will," "should" or "anticipates" or the 
negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology, or by 
discussions of strategy. Such statements include, without limitation, the 
Company's beliefs about trends in the cigar industry and its views about the 
long-term future of the industry and the Company. See, e.g., "Prospectus 
Summary--The Company," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial 
Condition and Results of Operations" and "Business--Business Strategy." No 
assurance can be given that the future results covered by the forward-looking 
statements will be achieved. The following matters constitute cautionary 
statements identifying important factors with respect to such forward-looking 
statements, including certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual 
results to vary materially from the future results covered in such 
forward-looking statements. Other factors could also cause actual results to 
vary materially from the future results covered in such forward-looking 
statements. 
    

SIGNIFICANT LEVEL OF INDEBTEDNESS; ABILITY TO SERVICE INDEBTEDNESS 

   
   The Company has a significant amount of outstanding indebtedness. As of 
December 31, 1996, the outstanding indebtedness of the Company was $167.5 
million, including its obligations under the Promissory Note (as defined 
herein), and the Company had stockholders' equity of $1.4 million. The 
Company and, subject to certain limitations contained in their outstanding 
debt instruments, the subsidiaries of the Company may incur additional 
indebtedness to finance working capital needs, capital expenditures, 
acquisitions or for other purposes. See "Description of Certain 
Indebtedness." 
    

   The Company's level of consolidated indebtedness could have important 
consequences to the holders of Class A Common Stock, including the following: 
(i) a substantial portion of the Company's consolidated cash flows from 
operations must be dedicated to the payment of the interest on and principal 
of its outstanding indebtedness and will not be available for other purposes, 
including payment of dividends; (ii) the ability of the Company to obtain 
financing in the future for working capital needs, capital expenditures, 
acquisitions or other purposes may be materially limited or impaired; (iii) 
the Company's level of indebtedness may reduce the Company's flexibility to 
respond to changing business and economic conditions; and (iv) certain of the 
Company's borrowings are and will continue to be at variable rates of 
interest, which could result in higher interest expense in the event of 
increases in interest rates. 

   The Company intends to satisfy anticipated cash requirements, including 
for debt service, through cash flows from operations and funds from 
borrowings under credit facilities. There can be no assurance, however, that 
cash flows from operations and funds from available borrowings under the 
Company's existing credit facilities will be sufficient to meet the Company's 
cash requirements on a consolidated basis. If the Company is unable to 
satisfy such cash requirements, the Company could be required to adopt one or 
more alternatives, such as reducing or delaying capital expenditures, 
refinancing or restructuring its indebtedness, selling assets or operations, 
seeking capital contributions or loans from affiliates of the Company or 
issuing additional shares of capital stock. There can be no assurance that 
any of such actions could be effected, that they would enable the Company to 
continue to satisfy its capital requirements or that they would be permitted 
under the terms of the Company's various debt instruments then in effect. See 
"--Impact of Holding Company Structure." 

RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED BY THE TERMS OF THE COMPANY'S INDEBTEDNESS; CONSEQUENCES 
OF FAILURE TO COMPLY 

   
   The terms and conditions of the debt instruments of Consolidated Cigar, 
including its credit agreement, as amended to February 3, 1997 (the "Credit 
Agreement"), and its 10 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2003 (the "Senior 
Subordinated Notes"), impose restrictions on Consolidated Cigar and its 
subsidiaries that affect, among other things, their ability to incur debt, 
pay dividends or make 
    

                                9           
<PAGE>
   
distributions, make acquisitions, create liens, sell assets, create 
restrictions on the payment of dividends and other payments and make certain 
investments. The terms of the Credit Agreement also require Consolidated 
Cigar to maintain specified financial ratios and satisfy certain tests, 
including maximum leverage ratios and minimum interest coverage ratios. In 
addition to limiting the overall operating and financial flexibility of the 
Company and its subsidiaries, the restrictions imposed by these debt 
instruments restrict the ability of Consolidated Cigar to pay dividends and 
distribute funds to the Company. As a result, the Company's ability to pay 
dividends, as well as the Company's sources of funds for other purposes, will 
be limited by such provision. As of December 31, 1996, there was 
approximately $7.5 million outstanding and $25.7 million available under the 
Credit Agreement and $90.0 million aggregate principal amount of Senior 
Subordinated Notes outstanding. 
    

   Consolidated Cigar's obligations under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed 
by the Company and by all of the domestic subsidiaries of Consolidated Cigar. 
Such guarantees and borrowings under the Credit Agreement are secured by 
first priority liens on all of the material assets of Consolidated Cigar and 
its domestic subsidiaries and pledges of the capital stock of all of 
Consolidated Cigar's subsidiaries (with certain exceptions for the capital 
stock of foreign subsidiaries) and a pledge of all of the shares of common 
stock of Consolidated Cigar owned by the Company (collectively, the 
"Collateral"). The occurrence of a change of control of the Company would be 
an event of default under the Credit Agreement and would permit the lenders 
under the Credit Agreement to accelerate the debt outstanding thereunder and, 
if the debt is not paid, to proceed to realize on the Collateral. Moreover, 
such event would permit the holders of outstanding Senior Subordinated Notes 
to require the repurchase of their notes. The events that would constitute a 
change of control are described under "Description of Certain Indebtedness." 

   The ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to comply with the terms 
of their respective debt instruments can be affected by events beyond their 
control, including events such as changes in prevailing economic conditions, 
changes in consumer preferences and changes in the competitive environment, 
which could have the effect of impairing the Company's operating performance, 
and there can be no assurance that the Company and its subsidiaries will be 
able to comply with the provisions of their respective debt instruments, 
including compliance by Consolidated Cigar with the financial ratios and 
tests contained in the Credit Agreement. Breach of any of these covenants or 
the failure to fulfill the obligations thereunder and the lapse of any 
applicable grace periods would result in an event of default under the 
applicable debt instruments, and the holders of such indebtedness could 
declare all amounts outstanding under their debt instruments to be due and 
payable immediately. Any such declaration under a debt instrument is likely 
to result in an event of default under one of the other debt instruments of 
the Company and its subsidiaries. There can be no assurance that the assets 
or cash flows of the Company or its subsidiaries would be sufficient to repay 
in full borrowings under their respective outstanding debt instruments, 
whether upon maturity or if such indebtedness were to be accelerated upon an 
event of default or upon a required repurchase in the event of a change of 
control, or that the Company would be able to refinance or restructure the 
payments on such indebtedness. In the case of the Credit Agreement, if such 
indebtedness were not so repaid, refinanced or restructured, the lenders 
could proceed to realize on the Collateral. See "--Significant Level of 
Indebtedness; Ability to Service Indebtedness," "--Impact of Holding Company 
Structure" and "Description of Certain Indebtedness." 

IMPACT OF HOLDING COMPANY STRUCTURE 

   The Company is a holding company with no business operations of its own. 
The Company's only material asset is all the outstanding capital stock of 
Consolidated Cigar, through which the Company conducts its business 
operations. Accordingly, the Company will be dependent upon the earnings and 
cash flows of, and dividends and distributions from, Consolidated Cigar to 
pay its expenses and meet its obligations, including principal payments on 
the promissory note (the "Promissory Note") in an original principal amount 
of $70.0 million issued by the Company to Mafco Consolidated Group in 
connection with the IPO, and to pay any cash dividends or distributions on 
the Common Stock that may be authorized by the Board of Directors of the 
Company. There can be no assurance that Consolidated Cigar will generate 
sufficient earnings and cash flows to pay dividends or distribute funds to 
the Company or that applicable state law and contractual restrictions, 
including negative covenants contained in the 

                               10           
<PAGE>
debt instruments of the Company's subsidiaries, including Consolidated Cigar, 
then in effect, will permit such dividends or distributions. The terms of 
each of the Credit Agreement and the Senior Subordinated Notes currently 
restrict Consolidated Cigar from paying dividends or making distributions to 
the Company, each subject to certain limited exceptions. See "--Significant 
Level of Indebtedness; Ability to Service Indebtedness" and "--Restrictions 
Imposed by the Terms of the Company's Indebtedness; Consequences of Failure 
to Comply." 

DECLINING MARKET FOR CIGARS THROUGH 1993 

   According to industry sources, the cigar industry experienced declining 
consumption between 1964 and 1993 at a compound annual unit rate of 3.6% 
(and, with respect to large cigar consumption, at a compound annual unit rate 
of 5.0%). The Company experienced similar trends in the unit volume of its 
cigars during such period. While the cigar industry has experienced 
significantly better trends in unit consumption since 1993 compared to this 
historical trend, there can be no assurance that the recent positive trends 
will continue or that the Company would be able to offset any future decline 
in consumption. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial 
Condition and Results of Operations" and "Business--Market Overview." 

IMPLEMENTATION OF BUSINESS STRATEGY 

   The Company's business strategy is to (i) capitalize on growth 
opportunities in the premium cigar market, (ii) expand mass market cigar and 
pipe tobacco products business, (iii) broaden mass market cigar distribution 
channels, (iv) improve manufacturing processes and raw material procurement 
and (v) pursue selectively strategic acquisitions. See "Business--Business 
Strategy." The Company's ability to implement its business strategy 
successfully will be dependent on business, financial and other factors 
beyond the Company's control, including, among others, prevailing changes in 
consumer preferences, access to sufficient quantities of raw materials, 
availability of trained laborers and changes in tobacco products regulation. 
There can be no assurance that the Company will continue to be successful in 
implementing its business strategy or that the Company's net sales, operating 
margin and net margin will continue to increase at rates similar to those 
experienced by the Company in 1996. 

EXTENSIVE AND INCREASING REGULATION OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS 

   Cigar manufacturers, like other producers of tobacco products, are subject 
to regulation in the United States at the federal, state and local levels. 
Federal law has required health warnings on cigarettes since 1965 and has 
recently required states, in order to receive full funding for federal 
substance abuse block grants, to establish a minimum age of 18 years for the 
sale of tobacco products, together with an appropriate enforcement program. 
The recent trend is toward increasing regulation of the tobacco industry. A 
variety of bills relating to tobacco issues have been recently introduced in 
the Congress of the United States, including bills that would have (i) 
prohibited the advertising and promotion of all tobacco products and/or 
restricted or eliminated the deductibility of such advertising expenses; (ii) 
increased labeling requirements on tobacco products to include, among other 
things, addiction warnings and lists of additives and toxins; (iii) modified 
federal preemption of state laws to allow state courts to hold tobacco 
manufacturers liable under common law or state statutes; (iv) shifted 
regulatory control of tobacco products and advertisements from the U.S. 
Federal Trade Commission (the "FTC") to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration 
(the "FDA"); (v) increased tobacco excise taxes; and (vi) required tobacco 
companies to pay for health care costs incurred by the federal government in 
connection with tobacco-related diseases. Hearings have been held on certain 
of these proposals; however, to date, none of such proposals have been passed 
by Congress. In addition, various federal agencies have recently proposed to 
regulate the tobacco industry. The FDA recently adopted final regulations 
relating to the marketing, promotion and advertisement of smokeless tobacco 
and cigarettes. These regulations are currently being challenged in the 
United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina and 
the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. While 
the Company is unable to predict the effect of these regulations on its 
business, these and other regulations promulgated by the FDA in the future 
could have a material adverse effect on the operations of the Company. 
Numerous proposals 

                               11           
<PAGE>
   
have also been considered at the state and local legislative level and by 
regulatory bodies, including restricting smoking in certain public areas, 
requiring cigar or pipe tobacco to carry health warnings, requiring 
disclosure of ingredients in cigars and other tobacco products and requiring 
little cigars to be "fire-safe" (i.e., cigars that extinguish themselves if 
not continuously smoked). Passage of legislation requiring little cigars to 
be "fire-safe" could have a material adverse effect on the Company's little 
cigar sales because of the technological difficulties in complying with such 
legislation. The Company does not expect the passage of any such legislation 
to have a material adverse effect on the Company's business or results of 
operations taken as a whole. Increased cigar consumption and the publicity 
such increase has received may increase the risk of additional regulation of 
tobacco products or of cigars. There can be no assurance as to the ultimate 
content, timing or effect of any additional regulation of tobacco products by 
any federal, state, local or regulatory body, and there can be no assurance 
that any such legislation or regulation would not have a material adverse 
affect on the Company's business. 

   Consideration at both the federal and state level also has been given to 
the consequences of tobacco smoke on others who are not currently smoking (so 
called "second-hand" smoke). There can be no assurance that regulation 
relating to second-hand smoke will not be adopted or that such regulation or 
related litigation would not have a material adverse effect on the Company's 
results of operations or financial condition. See "Business--The Tobacco 
Industry--Regulation." 
    

TOBACCO INDUSTRY LITIGATION 

   The cigarette and smokeless tobacco industries have experienced and are 
experiencing significant health-related litigation involving tobacco and 
health issues. Plaintiffs in such litigation have and are seeking 
compensation and, in some cases, punitive damages, for various injuries 
resulting from the use of tobacco products or exposure to tobacco smoke, 
including health care costs. In one such recent case against a cigarette 
manufacturer, the plaintiffs were awarded compensatory damages totalling 
$750,000. Although, to date, the Company has not been the subject of any such 
material health-related litigation and the cigar industry has not experienced 
material health-related litigation, there can be no assurance that there will 
not be an increase in health-related litigation against the cigarette and 
smokeless tobacco industries or similar litigation in the future against 
cigar manufacturers. The costs to the Company of defending prolonged 
litigation and any settlement or successful prosecution of any material 
health-related litigation against manufacturers of cigars, cigarettes or 
smokeless tobacco or suppliers to the tobacco industry could have a material 
adverse effect on the Company's business. See "Business--The Tobacco 
Industry--Litigation." 

   
   The recent increase in the sales of cigars and the publicity such increase 
has received may have the effect of increasing the probability of legal 
claims. Also, a recent study published in the journal Science reported that a 
chemical found in tobacco smoke has been found to cause genetic damage in 
lung cells that is identical to damage observed in many malignant tumors of 
the lung and, thereby, directly links lung cancer to smoking. This study 
could affect pending and future tobacco regulation or litigation. 
    

EFFECTS OF INCREASES IN EXCISE TAXES 

   Cigars and pipe tobacco have long been subject to federal, state and local 
excise taxes, and such taxes have frequently been increased or proposed to be 
increased, in some cases significantly, to fund various legislative 
initiatives. In particular, there have been proposals by the federal 
government in the past to reform health care through a national program to be 
funded principally through increases in federal excise taxes on tobacco 
products. Enactment of new or significant increases in existing federal, 
state or local excise taxes would result in decreased unit sales of cigars 
and pipe tobacco, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's 
business. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition 
and Results of Operations--Taxation and Regulation--Excise Taxes" and 
"Business--The Tobacco Industry--Excise Taxes." 

SUBSTANTIAL EFFECTS OF FAILURE TO RECEIVE POSSESSIONS TAX CREDIT 

   The Company derives a significant amount of its income from its Puerto 
Rico operations. Prior to December 31, 1993, income earned by the Company 
from its Puerto Rico operations was subject to the 

                               12           
<PAGE>
   
provisions of Section 936 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended 
(the "Code") . Section 936 of the Code allowed for a "possessions tax credit" 
against United States federal income tax for the amount of United States 
federal income tax attributable to the Puerto Rico taxable earnings. As part 
of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 ("OBRA 93"), for the years 
after December 31, 1993, the possessions tax credit has been limited based 
upon a percentage of qualified wages in Puerto Rico, plus certain amounts of 
depreciation (the "Current Limitation"). While the Company believes that it 
qualified for the possessions tax credit during 1996, 1995 and 1994, and 
expects that it will continue to qualify for the possessions tax credit for 
every year that such credit is available in amounts to offset the majority of 
any United States federal income tax related thereto, the future eligibility 
and the amounts of the credit will depend on the facts and circumstances of 
the Company's Puerto Rico operations during each of the taxable years 
subsequent to 1996. Failure to receive the possessions tax credit 
attributable to the Company's Puerto Rico operations would have a material 
adverse effect on the Company. 

   On August 20, 1996, the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996 (the 
"SBJPA") was enacted into law. Under the SBJPA, Section 936 of the Code, the 
possessions tax credit, was repealed, subject to special grandfather rules 
for which the Company would be eligible, provided that the Company does not 
add a "substantial new line of business." Under the grandfather rules, for 
the Company's taxable years beginning after December 31, 2001 and before 
January 1, 2006, the Company's business income from its Puerto Rico 
operations eligible for the possessions tax credit would, in addition to the 
Current Limitation, generally be limited to its average annual income from 
its Puerto Rico operations, adjusted for inflation, computed during the 
Company's five most recent taxable years ending before October 14, 1995 and 
excluding the highest and lowest years (the "Income Limitation). For taxable 
years after December 31, 2005, the possessions tax credit would be 
eliminated. The repeal of the possessions tax credit could have a material 
adverse effect on the Company for taxable years beginning after December 31, 
2001 and before January 1, 2006 to the extent that the Company's annual 
income from its Puerto Rico operations exceeds its average annual income from 
its Puerto Rico operations (as computed in the manner described in the 
preceding sentence), and for taxable years after December 31, 2005. Although 
it does not currently have any definitive plans with respect thereto, the 
Company expects to evaluate alternatives that may be available to it in order 
to mitigate the effects of the SBJPA. See "Management's Discussion and 
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Taxation and 
Regulation--Possessions Tax Credit."  
    

SUBSTANTIAL EFFECTS OF ELIMINATION OF PUERTO RICO TAX EXEMPTION 

   
   Pursuant to a grant of industrial tax exemption which expires in 2002, 
income earned by Congar International Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary 
of the Company ("CIC"), from the manufacture of cigars in Puerto Rico enjoys 
a 90% income tax exemption from Puerto Rican income taxes. The remaining 10% 
of such income is taxed at a maximum surtax rate of 45%, resulting in an 
effective income tax rate for such income of approximately 4.5% under current 
tax rates. Funds repatriated to the Company are subject to a maximum Puerto 
Rican tollgate tax of 10%. Legislation enacted in Puerto Rico in 1993 
included a provision for prepaying a portion of these tollgate taxes 
effective for the 1993 fiscal year and subsequent periods. There can be no 
assurance that the Puerto Rico tax exemption will not be limited or 
eliminated in the future. Any significant limitation on or elimination of the 
Puerto Rico tax exemption would have a material adverse effect on the 
Company. See Note H of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of 
the Company included elsewhere in this Prospectus. 
    

CONSTRAINTS ON ABILITY TO SATISFY DEMAND 

   As a result of the increased demand for its hand-made premium cigars, the 
Company had backorders at the end of 1994 and 1995 of 3.2 million and 4.3 
million cigars, respectively, and 37.0 million cigars at December 31, 1996. 
Although the demand for premium cigars has continued to increase, the 
substantial increase in backorders of premium cigars experienced by the 
Company in 1996 was due, at least in part, to the practice by retailers of 
submitting orders well in excess of required quantities in an 

                               13           
<PAGE>
   
attempt to ensure a larger allocation of the Company's premium cigar 
production. As such, the increase in backorders does not accurately reflect 
the demand for the Company's premium cigars. Beginning in 1997, the Company 
established new ordering policies to reduce backorders. As a result of
such new ordering policies, the amount of future backorders will not be
comparable to those previously experienced by the Company. The Company's ability
to increase its production of premium cigars and decrease its backorders is, 
however, constrained by a shortage of experienced skilled laborers. Although 
the Company is hiring and training new skilled laborers, the training process 
averages up to one year and not all trainees are able to successfully 
complete the Company's training program. While the Company is pursuing 
measures to increase its production of premium cigars, there can be no 
assurance that these measures will be successful or that they will enable the 
Company to meet any future level of demand for its premium cigars. Any 
material inability of the Company to fill its premium cigar backorders in a 
timely manner could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, 
including the loss of sales by the Company. 
    

   The Company's ability to manufacture premium and mass market cigars may 
also be constrained by the ability of tobacco growers and suppliers to meet 
the Company's demands for its raw materials in a timely manner. Tobacco, as a 
crop that is harvested annually, restricts the ability of tobacco growers to 
adjust acreage grown in any given year to meet changes in market demands. In 
addition, increases in acreage of tobacco grown requires significant capital, 
which growers may be unable or unwilling to invest. If the rate of escalation 
in consumption of cigars and other tobacco products continues, but the supply 
of tobacco remains constant or increases at a lower rate than demand, the 
Company's ability to increase its production of cigars, and thereby reduce 
its backorders, could be inhibited. The Company has recently experienced 
shortages in certain types of its natural wrapper and premium cigar tobaccos 
due to the increase in demand for high quality natural wrapped cigars. These 
shortages have caused the price of natural wrapper and premium cigar tobaccos 
to increase. To date, these shortages have not materially adversely affected 
cigar manufacturing or the Company's profitability, but could if the Company 
is unable to purchase additional quantities of certain tobaccos in the future 
or is unable to pass increases for such raw materials onto its customers. See 
"--Social, Political and Economic Risks Associated with Foreign Operations 
and International Trade," "Business--Backorders" and "Business--Raw 
Materials." 

SOCIAL, POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH FOREIGN OPERATIONS AND 
INTERNATIONAL TRADE 

   A substantial portion of the manufacturing operations of the Company are 
located in territories and countries outside of the United States, including 
Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Honduras, and the 
manufacturer and supplier of the Company's TE-AMO cigars is located in 
Mexico. In addition, the Company buys tobacco directly from a large number of 
suppliers located in territories and countries outside the United States, 
including Brazil, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Costa Rica, 
Germany, Italy, the Dominican Republic, Paraguay, the Philippines, Indonesia, 
Honduras and Mexico. The Company is exposed to the risk of changes in social, 
political and economic conditions inherent in foreign operations and 
international trade, including changes in the laws and policies that govern 
foreign investment and international trade in territories and countries where 
it currently has operations and conducts international trade, as well as, to 
a lesser extent, changes in United States laws and regulations relating to 
foreign investment and trade. Any such social, political or economic changes 
could pose, among other things, the risk of finished product and raw material 
supply interruption or significant increases in finished product and raw 
material prices. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that any such changes 
in social, political or economic conditions will not have a material adverse 
effect on the Company's business. 

CONTROL BY MAFCO CONSOLIDATED GROUP 

   Holders of the Company's Class A Common Stock are entitled to one vote per 
share and holders of the Company's Class B Common Stock are entitled to ten 
votes per share. Each share of Class B Common Stock is convertible at any 
time into one share of Class A Common Stock and converts automatically into 
one share of Class A Common Stock upon a transfer to any person other than a 
Permitted Transferee, which generally consists of affiliates of Mafco 
Consolidated Group. Immediately after consummation of the Offerings, Mafco 
Consolidated Group will beneficially own all of the remaining 19,600,000 
outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, which will represent 
approximately 94.7% of 

                               14           
<PAGE>
the combined voting power of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (or 
18,850,000 shares, representing approximately 94.1% of the combined voting 
power if the Underwriters' over-allotment options are exercised in full). 
Accordingly, Mafco Consolidated Group will continue to be able to elect the 
entire Board of Directors of the Company and control the vote on all matters 
submitted to a vote of the Company's stockholders. Mafco Consolidated Group 
is 85% owned through Mafco Holdings by Ronald O. Perelman. 

   All of the shares of common stock of Mafco Consolidated Group owned by 
Mafco Holdings are, and shares of intermediate holding companies are or may 
from time to time be, pledged to secure obligations of Mafco Holdings or its 
affiliates. Subject to applicable law and the terms of such indebtedness, 
Mafco Holdings could sell any or all of the shares of common stock of Mafco 
Consolidated Group owned by it from time to time for any reason. In addition, 
such shares may be sold in the event that Mafco Holdings or its affiliates 
fail to comply with their obligations under the obligations which are secured 
by the pledge of such shares and the pledgees thereunder proceed to realize 
on such security. A sale of a sufficient number of shares of Class A Common 
Stock held by Mafco Consolidated Group or acquired upon conversion of its 
shares of Class B Common Stock or a sale of a sufficient number of shares of 
common stock of Mafco Consolidated Group or intermediate holding companies 
owned by Mafco Holdings would result in a change of control of the Company. 
The occurrence of a change of control of the Company would be an event of 
default under the Credit Agreement and would give the holders of the Senior 
Subordinated Notes the right to require the repurchase of their Notes, which 
could require a potential acquiror to either repay or refinance such 
indebtedness. See "--Restrictions Imposed by the Terms of the Company's 
Indebtedness; Consequences of Failure to Comply" and "--Anti-Takeover Effects 
of Dual Classes of Stock," "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial 
Holders," "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions--Relationship with 
Mafco Consolidated Group and Mafco Holdings" and "Description of Certain 
Indebtedness." 

ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECTS OF DUAL CLASSES OF STOCK 

   Following consummation of the Offerings, through its ownership of all the 
outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, Mafco Consolidated Group will 
continue to be able to control the vote on all matters submitted to a vote of 
the Company's stockholders, including extraordinary transactions such as 
mergers, sales of all or substantially all of the Company's assets or going 
private transactions. Such control by Mafco Consolidated Group may discourage 
certain types of transactions involving an actual or potential change of 
control of the Company, including transactions in which the holders of Class 
A Common Stock might receive a premium for their shares over prevailing 
market prices. See "--Control by Mafco Consolidated Group" and "Description 
of Capital Stock." 

POSSIBLE FUTURE SALES OF SHARES BY MAFCO CONSOLIDATED GROUP 

   Immediately after consummation of the Offerings, the Company will have 
outstanding 11,075,000 shares of Class A Common Stock and 19,600,000 shares 
of Class B Common Stock. Subject to the restrictions described under "Shares 
Eligible for Future Sale" and applicable law, Mafco Consolidated Group could 
sell any or all of the remaining shares of Common Stock owned by it from time 
to time for any reason. Pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement between 
the Company and Mafco Consolidated Group (the "Registration Rights 
Agreement"), Mafco Consolidated Group has the right to require the Company to 
register the shares of Class A Common Stock acquired upon conversion of its 
shares of Class B Common Stock to facilitate their possible sale, including 
the shares being offered hereby. Although the Company can make no prediction 
as to the effect, if any, that sales of shares of Class A Common Stock by 
Mafco Consolidated Group would have on the market price prevailing from time 
to time, sales of substantial amounts of Class A Common Stock or the 
availability of such shares for sale could adversely affect prevailing market 
prices. See "Shares Eligible for Future Sale." 

                               15           
<PAGE>
                               USE OF PROCEEDS 

   The Company will not receive any proceeds from the sale of Class A Common 
Stock by the Selling Stockholder. 

                               DIVIDEND POLICY 

   
   The Company does not anticipate that any dividends will be declared on the 
Class A Common Stock in the foreseeable future. The Company intends to retain 
earnings to finance the expansion of its business. For the years ended 
December 31, 1995 and 1996, the Company paid cash dividends of $5.0 million 
and $12.8 million (excluding the dividend of the proceeds of the IPO), 
respectively. 

   The Company, as a holding company with no business operations of its own, 
is dependent on dividends and distributions from Consolidated Cigar to pay 
any cash dividends or distributions on the Common Stock. The terms of the 
Credit Agreement and the Senior Subordinated Notes limit the payment of 
dividends or distributions to the Company by Consolidated Cigar to an amount 
(based on a formula set forth in the indenture (the "Senior Subordinated 
Notes Indenture") pursuant to which the Senior Subordinated Notes were 
issued) equal to approximately $9.3 million as of December 31, 1996. In 
connection with the IPO, Consolidated Cigar entered into an amendment to the 
Credit Agreement, which, among other things, permitted Consolidated Cigar to 
pay a $5.6 million dividend to the Company and permits Consolidated Cigar to 
pay dividends and make distributions on terms substantially similar to those 
contained in the Senior Subordinated Notes Indenture. So long as the Credit 
Agreement is in effect and the Senior Subordinated Notes are outstanding, 
each in their current form, the Company's ability to obtain distributions 
from Consolidated Cigar to enable it to fund dividend payments will be 
limited. Subject to such restrictions, any future declaration of cash 
dividends will be at the discretion of the Company's Board of Directors and 
will be dependent upon the Company's results of operations, financial 
condition, contractual restrictions and other factors deemed relevant by the 
Board of Directors of the Company. See "Risk Factors--Restrictions Imposed by 
the Terms of the Company's Indebtedness; Consequences of Failure to Comply" 
and "Description of Certain Indebtedness." 
    

                     PRICE RANGE OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK 

   Since the IPO of the Company's Class A Common Stock at $23.00 per share in 
August 1996, the Class A Common Stock has been traded on the New York Stock 
Exchange (the "NYSE") under the symbol "CIG." The following table sets forth 
for the periods indicated the high and low sale prices per share of the Class 
A Common Stock as reported by the NYSE. 

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 HIGH       LOW 
                                              --------  --------- 
<S>                                           <C>       <C>
1996 
- -----
Third Quarter (August 16 to September 30)  ..    $32 5/8    $26 
Fourth Quarter ..............................     31 1/4     23 1/2 
1997 
- ----
First Quarter (through February 28)  ........     27 1/2     22 1/4 
</TABLE>
    

   
   The last reported sales price of the Class A Common Stock as reported on 
the NYSE on February 28, 1997 was $25 3/8 per share. As of February 27, 1997, 
there were approximately 145 holders of record of the Class A Common Stock. 
    

                               16           
<PAGE>
                                CAPITALIZATION 

   
   The following table sets forth the unaudited actual capitalization of the 
Company as of December 31, 1996. This table should be read in conjunction 
with the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company included elsewhere 
in this Prospectus. 
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 DECEMBER 31, 1996 
                                                               -------------------- 
                                                                     ACTUAL(a) 
                                                               -------------------- 
                                                                    (DOLLARS IN 
                                                                     THOUSANDS) 
<S>                                                            <C>
Cash and cash equivalents ....................................        $  1,906 
Short-term debt: 
 Current portion of Promissory Note ..........................          10,000 
Long-term debt: 
 Credit Agreement ............................................           7,500 
 Senior Subordinated Notes ...................................          90,000 
 Promissory Note .............................................          60,000 
                                                               -------------------- 
  Total long-term and short-term debt ........................         167,500 
                                                               -------------------- 
Stockholders' equity: 
 Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, 20,000,000 
 shares  authorized, no shares issued and outstanding  .......              -- 
 Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share; 300,000,000 
  shares authorized; 6,075,000 shares issued and 
  outstanding (b)(c) .........................................              61 
 Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share; 250,000,000 
  shares authorized, 24,600,000 shares issued and 
  outstanding (c) ............................................             246 
 Capital deficiency ..........................................         (13,314) 
 Retained earnings ...........................................          14,362 
                                                               -------------------- 
  Total stockholders' equity .................................           1,355 
                                                               -------------------- 
   Total capitalization ......................................        $168,855 
                                                               ==================== 
</TABLE>
    

- ------------ 

   (a) Reflects the IPO and the distribution of the net proceeds therefrom to 
       Mafco Consolidated Group. Also reflects the issuance of the Promissory 
       Note to Mafco Consolidated Group. 

   
   (b) Excludes an aggregate of 3,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock 
       reserved for issuance under the Stock Plan, including, as of February 
       28, 1997, 1,537,500 shares of Class A Common Stock subject to 
       outstanding options, none of which were exercisable as of such date. 
       See "Management--Stock Plan and Option Grants." 
    

   (c) In connection with the Offerings, 5,000,000 shares of Class B Common 
       Stock held by Mafco Consolidated Group will be automatically converted 
       into an equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock. As adjusted to 
       reflect the Offerings, there would be 11,075,000 shares of Class A 
       Common Stock issued and outstanding and 19,600,000 shares of Class B 
       Common Stock issued and outstanding. 

                               17           
<PAGE>
                        SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA 

   
   The selected historical financial data of the Company for, and as of the 
end of, each of the periods indicated in the five-year period ended December 
31,1996 have been derived from the audited Consolidated Financial Statements 
of the Company. 
    

   The Company's only material asset is all of the outstanding capital stock 
of Consolidated Cigar, through which the Company conducts its business 
operations. The selected historical financial data therefore reflects the 
consolidated results of Consolidated Cigar and its predecessors. Prior to 
March 3, 1993, Consolidated Cigar was a wholly owned subsidiary of Triple C 
Acquisition Corp. ("Triple C"). On March 3, 1993, Mafco Holdings acquired 
(the "Acquisition") all of the outstanding shares of Triple C and merged 
Triple C into Consolidated Cigar, with Consolidated Cigar being the surviving 
corporation. Accordingly, the selected historical financial data reflect for 
the periods (i) prior to March 3, 1993, the results of Triple C and (ii) 
subsequent to March 2, 1993, the consolidated results of Consolidated Cigar, 
as adjusted to account for the Acquisition under the purchase accounting 
method. The results of operations and financial condition of the Company 
subsequent to the Acquisition ("Post-Acquisition") have been significantly 
affected by adjustments resulting from the Acquisition, including adjustments 
for the substantial increase in debt associated with the Acquisition, the 
allocation of the purchase price and related amortization. As a result, the 
Post-Acquisition results of operations and financial position of the Company 
are not comparable with the results of operations and financial position of 
the Company prior to the Acquisition ("Pre-Acquisition"). 

   On August 21, 1996, the Company completed the IPO of 6,075,000 shares of 
Class A Common Stock at an initial public offering price of $23.00 per share. 
The proceeds, net of underwriters' discount and related fees and expenses, of 
$127.8 million, were paid as a dividend to Mafco Consolidated Group. 
Simultaneously with the IPO, each of the Company's then outstanding shares of 
common stock were converted into 24,600 shares of the newly created Class B 
Common Stock, resulting in a total of 24,600,000 shares of Class B Common 
Stock outstanding following the IPO. In addition, the Company issued a 
non-interest bearing Promissory Note in an original principal amount of $70.0 
million to Mafco Consolidated Group. 

   The following selected historical financial data should be read in 
conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition 
and Results of Operations" and the Consolidated Financial Statements of the 
Company included elsewhere in this Prospectus. 

                               18           
<PAGE>
   
                    (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA) 
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           PRE-ACQUISITION 
                                     -------------------------- 
                                                     TWO MONTHS 
                                       YEAR ENDED      ENDED 
                                      DECEMBER 31,    MARCH 2, 
                                          1992          1993 
                                     ------------  ------------ 
<S>                                 <C>            <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA: 
Net sales ..........................$     127,107     $15,563 
Cost of sales ......................       77,852       9,088 
                                     ------------  ------------ 
Gross profit .......................       49,255       6,475 
Selling, general and administrative 
 expenses ..........................       27,836       4,580 
                                     ------------  ------------ 
Operating income ...................       21,419       1,895 
                                     ------------  ------------ 
Interest expense, net ..............      (10,527 )    (1,660) 
Gain on sale of trademarks .........        6,830          -- 
Minority interest ..................       (3,345 )         5 
Miscellaneous, net .................       (1,364 )      (226) 
                                     ------------  ------------ 
Income before provision for income 
 taxes and extraordinary items  ....       13,013          14 
Provision for income taxes .........        2,370          91 
Extraordinary items ................         (514 )        -- 
                                     ------------  ------------ 
Net income (loss) ..................$      11,157     $   (77) 
                                     ============  ============ 
Net income per common share (a)  ...$        0.45          -- 
                                     ============  ============ 
Weighted average common shares 
 outstanding (a) ...................       24,600      24,600 
</TABLE>
    

                    (RESTUBBED TABLE CONTINUED FROM ABOVE) 

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             POST-ACQUISITION 
                                     -------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                        TEN MONTHS 
                                          ENDED         YEAR ENDED      YEAR ENDED      YEAR ENDED 
                                       DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31, 
                                           1993            1994            1995            1996 
                                     --------------  --------------  --------------  -------------- 
<S>                                  <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA: 
Net sales ..........................     $110,384        $131,510        $158,166        $216,868 
Cost of sales ......................       69,871          78,836          94,347         126,013 
                                     --------------  --------------  --------------  -------------- 
Gross profit .......................       40,513          52,674          63,819          90,855 
Selling, general and administrative 
 expenses ..........................       24,956          29,413          32,393          36,776 
                                     --------------  --------------  --------------  -------------- 
Operating income ...................       15,557          23,261          31,426          54,079 
                                     --------------  --------------  --------------  -------------- 
Interest expense, net ..............      (10,930)        (12,838)        (12,635)        (10,619) 
Gain on sale of trademarks .........           --              --              --              -- 
Minority interest ..................          209              78            (262)           (310) 
Miscellaneous, net .................         (690)           (828)         (1,000)           (906) 
                                     --------------  --------------  --------------  -------------- 
Income before provision for income 
 taxes and extraordinary items  ....        4,146           9,673          17,529          42,244 
Provision for income taxes .........        1,267           1,989           3,599          12,449 
Extraordinary items ................           --              --              --              -- 
                                     --------------  --------------  --------------  -------------- 
Net income (loss) ..................     $  2,879        $  7,684        $ 13,930        $ 29,795 
                                     ==============  ==============  ==============  ============== 
Net income per common share (a)  ...     $   0.12        $   0.31        $   0.57        $   1.11 
                                     ==============  ==============  ==============  ============== 
Weighted average common shares 
 outstanding (a) ...................       24,600          24,600          24,600          26,891 
</TABLE>
    

<PAGE>

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  PRE-ACQUISITION 
                                   ------------- 
                                    DECEMBER 31, 
                                        1992 
                                   ------------- 
<S>                                <C>             
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT PERIOD 
 END): 
Total assets .....................    $110,725 
Long-term debt (including current 
 portion and the Promissory Note)       79,416 
Total stockholders' equity  ......      14,314 
</TABLE>
    

                    (RESTUBBED TABLE CONTINUED FROM ABOVE) 

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          POST-ACQUISITION 
                                   ------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                    DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31, 
                                        1993            1994            1995            1996 
                                   -------------  --------------  --------------  -------------- 
<S>                                <C>            <C>             <C>             <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT PERIOD 
 END): 
Total assets .....................    $205,906        $196,909        $191,730        $205,511 
Long-term debt (including current 
 portion and the Promissory Note)      145,300         126,200         110,600         167,500 
Total stockholders' equity  ......      32,879          40,563          54,328           1,355 
</TABLE>
    
<PAGE>

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          PRE-ACQUISITION 
                                   ---------------------------- 
                                                     TWO MONTHS 
                                      YEAR ENDED       ENDED 
                                     DECEMBER 31,     MARCH 2, 
                                         1992           1993 
                                   --------------  ------------ 
<S>                                <C>             <C>
OTHER DATA: 
Gross margin(c) ..................         38.8%         41.6% 
Operating margin(c) ..............         16.9          12.2 
EBITDA(d) ........................      $29,330        $2,792 
EBITDA margin(d) .................         23.1%         17.9% 
Capital expenditures .............     $    926       $   115 
Amortization of goodwill .........          110            18 
Cash flows provided by operating 
 activities ......................       20,638         3,462 
Cash flows provided by (used for) 
 investing activities ............         (701)         (247) 
Cash flows used for financing 
 activities ......................      (19,574)       (2,078) 
</TABLE>
    

                    (RESTUBBED TABLE CONTINUED FROM ABOVE) 

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           POST-ACQUISITION 
                                   -------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                      TEN MONTHS 
                                        ENDED         YEAR ENDED      YEAR ENDED      YEAR ENDED 
                                     DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31, 
                                         1993            1994            1995            1996 
                                   --------------  --------------  --------------  -------------- 
<S>                                <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
OTHER DATA: 
Gross margin(c) ..................         36.7%           40.1%           40.3%           41.9% 
Operating margin(c) ..............         14.1            17.7            19.9            24.9 
EBITDA(d) ........................     $ 25,156        $ 30,046        $ 38,125        $ 60,547 
EBITDA margin(d) .................         22.8%           22.8%           24.1%           27.9% 
Capital expenditures .............     $    881        $    788        $    983        $  5,278 
Amortization of goodwill .........        1,399           1,771           1,771           1,651 
Cash flows provided by operating 
 activities ......................        8,842          14,259          19,801          32,583 
Cash flows provided by (used for) 
 investing activities ............         (611)          5,036            (989)         (5,875) 
Cash flows used for financing 
 activities ......................      (12,143)        (18,810)        (19,367)        (25,947) 
</TABLE>
    

                                                 (footnotes on following page) 

                               19           
<PAGE>
   

- -------------
(a)    Net income per common share has been computed assuming the conversion 
       of the Company's common stock, prior to the IPO, into Class B Common 
       Stock as of the beginning of all periods presented and is therefore 
       based upon the weighted average of 24,600,000 shares of common stock 
       outstanding prior to the IPO and 30,675,000 shares of common stock 
       outstanding after the IPO. 

(b)    Reflects the IPO and the distribution of the net proceeds therefrom 
       to Mafco Consolidated Group. Also reflects the issuance by the Company 
       of the Promissory Note in an original principal amount of $70.0 million 
       to Mafco Consolidated Group. 
    

(c)    Gross margin is defined as gross profit as a percentage of net sales 
       and operating margin is defined as operating income as a percentage of 
       net sales. 

(d)    EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest expense, net, taxes, 
       extraordinary items, depreciation and amortization and minority 
       interest. The Company believes that EBITDA is a measure commonly used 
       by analysts, investors and others interested in the cigar industry. 
       Accordingly, this information has been disclosed herein to permit a 
       more complete analysis of the Company's operating performance. EBITDA 
       should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income 
       or other consolidated statement of operations or cash flows data 
       prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles as 
       a measure of the profitability or liquidity of the Company. EBITDA does 
       not take into account the Company's debt service requirements and other 
       commitments and, accordingly, is not necessarily indicative of amounts 
       that may be available for discretionary uses. EBITDA margin is defined 
       as EBITDA as a percentage of net sales. 



                                      20

<PAGE>
   
              MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL 
                     CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

   The following should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated 
Financial Statements of the Company included elsewhere in this Prospectus. 

OVERVIEW 

   The Company is the largest manufacturer and marketer of cigars sold in the 
United States in terms of dollar sales, with a 1996 market share of 
approximately 23% according to the Company's estimates. The Company markets 
its cigar products under a number of well-known brand names at all price 
levels and in all segments of the growing cigar market. The Company is also a 
leading producer of pipe tobacco and is the largest supplier of private label 
and branded generic pipe tobacco to mass market retailers. In addition, the 
Company distributes a variety of pipe and cigar smokers' accessories. For the 
year ended December 31, 1996, cigars accounted for approximately 92% of the 
Company's net sales. 

   The United States cigar industry experienced declining consumption between 
1964 and 1993 at a compound annual unit rate of 3.6% (and, with respect to
large cigar consumption, at a compound annual unit rate of 5.0%). Recently,
cigar smoking has gained popularity in the United States, resulting in a 
significant increase in consumption and retail sales of cigars, particularly 
for premium cigars. Management believes that this increase in cigar 
consumption and retail sales is the result of a number of factors, including: 
(i) the increase in the number of adults over the age of 50 (a demographic 
group believed to smoke more cigars than any other demographic segment) and 
(ii) the emergence of an expanding base of younger affluent adults who have 
recently started smoking cigars and who tend to smoke premium cigars. The 
growth in industry retail sales of cigars has outpaced unit growth since 1991 
primarily as a result of a combination of increased prices and a shift in the 
sales mix to more expensive cigars. There can be no assurance that unit 
consumption and retail sales of cigars will continue to increase in the 
future. See "Risk Factors--Declining Market for Cigars through 1993" and 
"--Extensive and Increasing Regulation of Tobacco Products." 

   The increased demand for cigars, especially premium cigars, and the 
shortage of experienced skilled laborers caused as a result thereof have 
resulted in the Company's backorders of premium cigars to increase from 3.2 
million cigars at December 31, 1994 to 4.3 million cigars at December 31, 
1995, and to further increase to 37.0 million cigars at December 31, 1996. 
Although the demand for premium cigars has continued to increase in 1996, the 
substantial increase in backorders of premium cigars experienced by the 
Company in 1996 was due, at least in part, to the practice by retailers of 
submitting orders well in excess of required quantities in an attempt to 
ensure a larger allocation of the Company's premium cigar production. As 
such, the increase in backorders does not accurately reflect the demand for 
the Company's premium cigars. Beginning in 1997, the Company established new 
ordering policies to reduce backorders. As a result of such new ordering 
policies, the amount of future backorders will not be comparable to those 
previously experienced by the Company.

   The Company is hiring and training new rollers and bunchers and is 
building additional plant capacity to meet future growth in demand for its 
premium cigars. Although the Company believes that these measures will enable 
it to increase its production of premium cigars, there can be no assurance 
that the Company will be able to meet any future level of demand for its 
premium cigars. The Company's ability to manufacture premium and mass market 
cigars may also be constrained by the ability of tobacco growers and 
suppliers to meet the Company's demands for its raw materials in a timely 
manner. 

   Preliminary industry statistics indicate that both unit consumption and 
retail sales of cigars continued to increase in 1996. Overall consumption of 
cigars increased by approximately 13.0% from approximately 4.0 billion units 
in 1995 to an estimated 4.5 billion units in 1996. Consumption of premium 
cigars increased at a unit rate of approximately 67.0% from 1995 to 275.0 
million units in 1996. In the mass market segment of the industry, 
consumption increased at a unit rate of approximately 11.0% from 1995 to 4.2 
billion units in 1996, with consumption of mass market large cigars 
increasing at a unit rate of approximately 13.0% from 1995 to 2.7 billion 
units in 1996. Consumption of large (premium and mass market) cigars 
increased at a unit rate of approximately 17.1% from 1995 to 3.0 billion 
units in 1996. Total retail sales increased 24.4% from 1995 to $1.3 billion 
in 1996. The Company believes that unit 
    

                               21           
<PAGE>
consumption of cigars and retail sales in the cigar industry should continue 
to increase in 1997 at rates similar to those experienced by the industry in 
1996 and is very optimistic about the long-term future of the cigar industry 
and the Company. The Company's ability to implement its business strategy 
successfully will be dependent on business, financial, and other factors 
beyond the Company's control, including, among others, prevailing changes in 
consumer preferences, access to sufficient quantities of raw materials, 
availability of trained laborers and changes in tobacco products regulation. 
There can be no assurance that the Company will continue to be successful in 
implementing its business strategy. See "Risk Factors--Implementation of 
Business Strategy." 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

   
   The discussion set forth below relates to the consolidated results of 
operations and financial condition of the Company for the years ended 
December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996. 

   The Company is a holding company with no business operations of its own. 
The Company's only material asset is all of the outstanding capital stock of 
Consolidated Cigar, through which the Company conducts its business 
operations. The results of operations and financial position of the Company 
therefore reflect the consolidated results of operations and financial 
position of Consolidated Cigar. 
    

   The following table sets forth certain statement of operations data and 
the related percentage of net sales (dollars in millions): 

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 
                                     ---------------------------------------------------------- 
                                             1994                1995                1996 
                                     ------------------  ------------------  ------------------ 
<S>                                  <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Net sales ..........................   $131.5    100.0%    $158.2    100.0%    $216.9    100.0% 
Cost of sales ......................     78.8     59.9       94.4     59.7      126.0     58.1 
                                      -------  --------  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
Gross profit .......................     52.7     40.1       63.8     40.3       90.9     41.9 
Selling, general and administrative 
 expenses ..........................     29.4     22.4       32.4     20.4       36.8     17.0 
                                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
Operating income ...................     23.3     17.7       31.4     19.9       54.1     24.9 
Interest expense, net ..............     12.8      9.7       12.6      8.0       10.6      4.9 
Minority interest and miscellaneous 
 expense, net ......................      0.8      0.6        1.3      0.8        1.3      0.6 
Provision for income taxes .........      2.0      1.5        3.6      2.3       12.4      5.7 
                                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
Net income .........................   $  7.7      5.9%    $ 13.9      8.8%    $ 29.8     13.7% 
                                     ========  ========  ========  ========  ========  ======== 
</TABLE>
    

   
 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 

   Net sales were $216.9 million and $158.2 million in 1996 and 1995, 
respectively, an increase of $58.7 million or 37.1%. The increase in net 
sales was primarily due to higher sales of cigars. Cigar sales, particularly 
in the premium market, increased primarily as a result of both a shift in 
sales mix to higher priced cigars and price increases on certain cigar 
brands, and, to a lesser extent, an increase in cigar unit volume. 

   Gross profit was $90.9 million and $63.8 million in 1996 and 1995, 
respectively, an increase of $27.1 million or 42.4%. The increase in gross 
profit for 1996 was due to the increase in sales, partially offset by 
increases in the costs of raw materials. As a percentage of net sales, gross 
 profit increased to 41.9% in 1996 from 40.3% in 1995, primarily due to fixed
manufacturing costs spread over increased production volume. 

   Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses were $36.8 million 
and $32.4 million in 1996 and 1995, respectively, an increase of $4.4 million 
or 13.5%, primarily due to increased compensation expense in addition to 
increased marketing and selling expenses. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A 
expenses decreased to 17.0% in 1996 from 20.4% in 1995. The decrease was 
primarily due to SG&A expenses increasing at a lower rate relative to the 
increase in net sales. 

   Operating income was $54.1 million and $31.4 million in 1996 and 1995, 
respectively, an increase of $22.7 million or 72.1%. As a percentage of net 
sales, operating income increased to 24.9% in 1996 from 19.9% in 1995, 
primarily due to higher gross profit margins and a decrease in SG&A expenses 
as a percentage of net sales. 
    

                               22           
<PAGE>
   
   Interest expense, net, was $10.6 million and $12.6 million in 1996 and 
1995, respectively. The decrease of $2.0 million was primarily a result of a 
lower amount of outstanding debt due to third parties during 1996. 

   The provision for income taxes as a percentage of income before income 
taxes was 29.5% and 20.5% in 1996 and 1995, respectively. The increase in the 
effective rate is primarily due to an increase in income subject to United 
States taxation during 1996 partially offset by tax benefits associated with 
the Company's operations in Puerto Rico. Income tax expense for 1996 reflects 
provisions for federal income taxes, Puerto Rico tollgate taxes and taxes on 
Puerto Rico source income, together with state and franchise taxes. Income 
tax expense for 1995 reflects provisions for federal income taxes, net of tax 
benefit resulting from the utilization of net operating loss carryforwards, 
Puerto Rico tollgate taxes and taxes on Puerto Rico source income, along with 
state and franchise taxes. 

   As a result of the foregoing, the Company had net income of $29.8 million 
in 1996, compared to $13.9 million in 1995, an increase of $15.9 million or 
113.9%. 
    

 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994 

   Net sales were $158.2 million and $131.5 million in 1995 and 1994, 
respectively, an increase of $26.7 million or 20.3%. The increase in net 
sales was primarily due to higher sales of cigars. Cigar sales increased 
primarily as a result of an increase in cigar unit volume, particularly in 
the premium market, and, to a slightly lesser extent, a shift in sales mix to 
higher priced cigars and price increases on certain cigar brands. 

   
   Gross profit was $63.8 million and $52.7 million in 1995 and 1994, 
respectively, an increase of $11.1 million or 21.2%. The increase in gross 
profit for 1995 was due to the increase in sales, partially offset by 
increases in the costs of raw materials. As a percentage of net sales, gross 
profit increased to 40.3% in 1995 from 40.1% in 1994, primarily due to fixed 
manufacturing costs spread over increased production volume. 
    

   SG&A expenses were $32.4 million and $29.4 million in 1995 and 1994, 
respectively, an increase of $3.0 million or 10.1%, primarily due to 
increased marketing and selling expenses. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A 
expenses decreased to 20.4% in 1995 from 22.4% in 1994. The decrease was 
primarily due to SG&A expenses increasing at a lower rate relative to the 
increase in net sales. 

   Operating income was $31.4 million and $23.3 million in 1995 and 1994, 
respectively, an increase of $8.1 million or 35.1%. As a percentage of net 
sales, operating income increased to 19.9% in 1995 from 17.7% in 1994, 
primarily due to higher gross profit margins and a decrease in SG&A expenses 
as a percentage of net sales. 

   Interest expense, net, was $12.6 million and $12.8 million in 1995 and 
1994, respectively. The decrease of $0.2 million was primarily due to a lower 
amount of debt outstanding in 1995, partially offset by higher interest 
rates. 

   The provision for income taxes as a percentage of income before income 
taxes was 20.5% and 20.6% in 1995 and 1994, respectively. Income tax expense 
in 1995 and 1994 reflects provisions for federal income taxes, net of the tax 
benefit resulting from the utilization of net operating loss carryforwards, 
along with state income and franchise taxes. In addition, income tax expense 
includes a provision for Puerto Rico tollgate taxes and taxes on Puerto Rico 
source income. 

   
   As a result of the foregoing, the Company had net income of $13.9 million 
in 1995, compared to $7.7 million in 1994, an increase of $6.2 million or 
81.3%. 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES 

   Net cash flows from operating activities were $32.6 million, $19.8 million 
and $14.3 million for 1996, 1995, and 1994, respectively. The increase of 
$12.8 million from 1995 to 1996 was primarily due to an increase in net 
income partially offset by increased working capital requirements. The 
increase of $5.5 million from 1994 to 1995 was due primarily to the increase 
in net income for 1995. 
    

                               23           
<PAGE>
   
   Cash flows used in investing in 1996 and 1995 were primarily related to 
capital expenditures. In 1994, however, cash was provided by investing 
activities as a result of the sale of a building in Puerto Rico for $5.8 
million. Capital expenditures were $5.3 million, $1.0 million, and $0.8 
million for the years ended December 31 1996, 1995, and 1994, respectively. 
The capital expenditures in 1994 and 1995 relate primarily to investments in 
cigar manufacturing equipment and are part of the continual maintenance and 
upgrading of the Company's manufacturing facilities. The capital expenditures 
in 1996 relate primarily to investments in the Company's manufacturing 
facilities to meet increased demand for the Company's premium cigars, 
including expansion of its existing manufacturing facilities in the Dominican 
Republic and Honduras and construction, as part of a joint venture, of a new 
facility in Jamaica. For 1997, the Company plans to continue expanding its 
facilities in the Dominican Republic and Honduras as well as add equipment to 
other facilities for a total cost of approximately $4.0 million. In 1996, 
$0.5 million of cash flows was also invested, as part of an equity 
investment, in the Jamaican joint venture. 

   Cash flows used for financing activities in 1996, 1995, and 1994 were 
$25.9 million, $19.4 million, and $18.8 million, respectively. In each 
period, such cash flows were used to make net repayments of borrowings, 
primarily under the Credit Agreement. In addition, cash flows used for 
financing activities in 1996 and 1995 were used to pay $12.8 million of 
dividends to Mafco Consolidated Group during 1996 and a $5.0 million dividend 
to Mafco Holdings during 1995. In 1996, cash flows included $127.8 million of 
net proceeds from the IPO, which were immediately paid as a dividend to Mafco 
Consolidated Group. 

   In 1993 and 1994, Consolidated Cigar entered into two five-year interest 
rate swap agreements in an aggregate notional amount of $85.0 million. Under 
the terms of the agreements, Consolidated Cigar receives a fixed interest 
rate averaging approximately 5.8% and pays a variable interest rate equal to 
the six-month London interbank offered rate (LIBOR). Consolidated Cigar 
entered into such agreements to take advantage of the differential between 
long-term and short-term interest rates and effectively converted the 
interest rate on $85.0 million of fixed-rate indebtedness under the Senior 
Subordinated Notes to a variable rate. Had Consolidated Cigar terminated 
these agreements, which the Company considers to be held for other than 
trading purposes, on January 31, 1997, the Company would have realized a 
combined loss of approximately $1.1 million. Future positive or negative cash 
flows associated with these agreements will depend upon the trend of 
short-term interest rates during the remaining life of the agreements. In the 
event of non-performance of the counterparties at anytime during the 
remaining lives of these agreements, which expire at December 1998 and 
January 1999, the Company could lose some or all of any future positive cash 
flows. However, the Company does not anticipate non-performance by such 
counterparties. The Company does not currently anticipate terminating these 
agreements; however, the Company will from time to time continue to review 
its financing alternatives with respect to its fixed and floating rate debt. 

   Consolidated Cigar intends to fund working capital requirements, capital 
expenditures and debt service requirements for the foreseeable future through 
cash flows from operations and borrowings under the Credit Agreement. The 
Company is dependent on the earnings and cash flows of, and dividends and 
distributions from, Consolidated Cigar to pay its expenses and meet its 
obligations, including principal payments on the $70.0 million non-interest 
bearing Promissory Note issued to Mafco Consolidated Group in conjunction 
with the IPO. The Company is also dependent on distributions from 
Consolidated Cigar to pay any cash dividends or distributions on the Common 
Stock that may be authorized by the Board of Directors of the Company. There 
can be no assurance that Consolidated Cigar will generate sufficient earnings 
and cash flows to pay dividends or distribute funds to the Company to enable 
the Company to pay its expenses and meet its obligations, including principal 
payments on the Promissory Note, or that applicable state law and contractual 
restrictions, including negative covenants contained in the debt instruments 
of the Company's subsidiaries, including Consolidated Cigar, then in effect, 
will permit such dividends or distribution. The terms of the Credit Agreement 
and the Senior Subordinated Notes limit the payment of dividends or 
distributions to the Company by Consolidated Cigar to an amount (based on a 
formula set forth in the Senior Subordinated Notes Indenture) equal to 
approximately $9.3 million as of December 31, 1996. 
    

                               24           
<PAGE>
   
   The Credit Agreement consists of a revolving credit facility (the 
"Revolving Credit Facility") and a working capital facility (the "Working 
Capital Facility"). The Revolving Credit Facility and the Working Capital 
Facility have final maturities on April 3, 1999 and have no scheduled 
amortization requirements. The Credit Agreement is secured by first priority 
liens on all of the material assets of Consolidated Cigar and its domestic 
subsidiaries and pledges of the capital stock of all of Consolidated Cigar's 
subsidiaries (with certain exceptions for the capital stock of foreign 
subsidiaries). Consolidated Cigar's obligations under the Credit Agreement 
are guaranteed by the Company and by all of the domestic subsidiaries of 
Consolidated Cigar. The guarantee by the Company will continue to be secured 
by a pledge of all of the shares of common stock of Consolidated Cigar owned 
by the Company. The Credit Agreement also contains various restrictive 
covenants including, among other things, limitations on the ability of 
Consolidated Cigar and its subsidiaries to incur debt, create liens, pay 
dividends, sell assets, and make investments, acquisitions and capital 
expenditures. In addition, the Credit Agreement requires Consolidated Cigar 
to maintain specified financial ratios and satisfy certain tests, including 
maximum leverage ratios and minimum interest coverage ratios. The Credit 
Agreement also contains customary events of default and permits Consolidated 
Cigar to pay dividends and make distributions on terms substantially similar 
to those contained in the Senior Subordinated Notes Indenture. The Credit 
Agreement was amended on February 3, 1997 to reduce the amount of various 
interest rate margins charged against outstanding borrowings. As of December 
31, 1996, there was approximately $25.7 million unused and available under 
the Credit Agreement, after taking into account approximately $1.7 million 
utilized to support letters of credit. See Note F of the Notes to 
Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company included elsewhere in this 
Prospectus. 
    

INFLATION 

   The Company has historically been able to pass inflationary increases for 
raw materials and other costs onto its customers through price increases and 
anticipates that it will be able to do so in the future. 

TAXATION AND REGULATION 

 EXCISE TAXES 

   Cigars and pipe tobacco have long been subject to federal, state and local 
excise taxes, and such taxes have frequently been increased or proposed to be 
increased, in some cases significantly, to fund various legislative 
initiatives. In particular, there have been proposals by the federal 
government in the past to reform health care through a national program to be 
funded principally through increases in federal excise taxes on tobacco 
products. Enactment of significant increases in or new federal, state or 
local excise taxes would result in decreased unit sales of cigars and pipe 
tobacco, which would have a material adverse effect on the Company's 
business. See "Business--The Tobacco Industry--Excise Taxes." 

 POSSESSIONS TAX CREDIT 

   
   Prior to December 31, 1993, income earned by the Company from its Puerto 
Rico operations was subject to the provisions of Section 936 of the Code. 
Section 936 of the Code allowed for a "possessions tax credit" against United 
States federal income tax for the amount of United States federal income tax 
attributable to the Puerto Rico taxable earnings. As part of OBRA 93, for the 
years after December 31, 1993, the possessions tax credit has been limited 
based upon a percentage of qualified wages in Puerto Rico, plus certain 
amounts of depreciation. The Company believes that it qualified for the 
possessions tax credit during 1996, 1995 and 1994. The Company expects that 
it will continue to qualify for the possessions tax credit for every year 
that such credit is available in such amounts to offset the majority of any 
United States federal income tax related thereto, but eligibility and the 
amounts of the credit will depend on the facts and circumstances of the 
Company's Puerto Rico operations during each of the taxable years subsequent 
to 1996. Failure to receive the possessions tax credit attributable to the 
Company's Puerto Rico operations would have a material adverse effect on the 
Company. 

   On August 20, 1996, the SBJPA was enacted into law. Under the SBJPA, 
Section 936 of the Code, the possessions tax credit, was repealed, subject to 
special grandfather rules for which the Company 
    

                               25           
<PAGE>
   
would be eligible, provided that the Company does not add a "substantial new 
line of business." Under the grandfather rules, for the Company's taxable 
years beginning after December 31, 2001 and before January 1, 2006, the 
Company's business income from its Puerto Rico operations eligible for the 
possessions tax credit would, in addition to the Current Limitation, 
generally be limited to its average annual income from its Puerto Rico 
operations, adjusted for inflation, computed during the Company's five most 
recent taxable years ending before October 14, 1995 and excluding the highest 
and lowest years. For taxable years after December 31, 2005, the possessions 
tax credit would be eliminated. The repeal of the possessions tax credit 
could have a material adverse effect on the Company for taxable years 
beginning after December 31, 2001 and before January 1, 2006, to the extent 
that the Company's annual income from its Puerto Rico operations exceeds its 
average annual income from its Puerto Rico operations (as computed in the 
manner described in the preceding sentence), and for taxable years after 
December 31, 2005. Although it does not currently have any definitive plans 
with respect thereto, the Company expects to evaluate alternatives that may 
be available to it in order to mitigate the effects of the SBJPA. On February 
6, 1997, President Clinton proposed certain tax law changes which, if 
enacted, would eliminate the Income Limitation, extend the possession tax 
credit indefinitely and make the credit available to newly established 
business operations. See "Risk Factors--Substantial Effects of Failure to 
Receive Possessions Tax Credit." 
    

 PUERTO RICO TAX EXEMPTION 

   
   Pursuant to a grant of industrial tax exemption which expires in 2002, 
income earned by CIC from the manufacture of cigars in Puerto Rico enjoys a 
90% income tax exemption from Puerto Rican income taxes. The remaining 10% of 
such income is taxed at a maximum surtax rate of 45%, resulting in an 
effective income tax rate for such income of approximately 4.5% under current 
tax rates. Funds repatriated to the Company are subject to a maximum Puerto 
Rican tollgate tax of 10%. Legislation enacted in Puerto Rico in 1993 
included a provision for prepaying a portion of these tollgate taxes 
effective for the 1993 fiscal year and subsequent periods. There can be no 
assurance that the Puerto Rico tax exemption will not be limited or 
eliminated in the future. Any significant limitation on or elimination of the 
Puerto Rico tax exemption would have a material adverse effect on the 
Company. See Note H of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of the 
Company included elsewhere in this Prospectus. 
    

 REGULATION 

   Cigar manufacturers, like other producers of tobacco products, are subject 
to regulation in the United States at the federal, state and local levels. 
The recent trend is toward increasing regulation of the tobacco industry. 
There can be no assurance as to the ultimate content, timing or effect of any 
additional regulation of tobacco products by any federal, state, local or 
regulatory body, and there can be no assurance that any such legislation or 
regulation would not have a material adverse effect on the Company's 
business. See "Business--The Tobacco Industry--Regulation." 

SEASONALITY 

   The Company's business is generally non-seasonal. However, slight 
increases in cigar unit volume are experienced prior to Father's Day and the 
Christmas season. 

                               26           
<PAGE>
                                   BUSINESS 
GENERAL 

   
   The Company is the largest manufacturer and marketer of cigars sold in the 
United States in terms of dollar sales, with a 1996 market share of 
approximately 23% according to the Company's estimates. The Company markets 
its cigar products under a number of well-known brand names at all price 
levels and in all segments of the growing cigar market, including premium 
large cigars, mass market large cigars and mass market little cigars. The 
Company attributes its leading market position to the following competitive 
strengths: (i) well-known brand names, many of which are the leading brands 
in their category; (ii) broad range of product offerings within both the 
premium and mass market segments of the United States cigar market; (iii) 
commitment to and reputation for manufacturing quality cigars; (iv) marketing 
expertise and close attention to customer service; (v) efficient 
manufacturing operations; and (vi) an experienced management team. The 
Company is also a leading producer of pipe tobacco and is the largest 
supplier of private label and branded generic pipe tobacco to mass market 
retailers. In addition, the Company distributes a variety of pipe and cigar 
smokers' accessories. 
    

   The Company's cigars and pipe tobacco products are marketed under a number 
of well-known brand names. The Company's premium cigars include the H. 
UPMANN, MONTECRISTO, DON DIEGO, TE-AMO, SANTA DAMIANA, ROYAL JAMAICA, PRIMO 
DEL REY and MONTECRUZ brands. The Company's mass market large cigars include 
the ANTONIO Y CLEOPATRA (also known as AYC), DUTCH MASTERS, EL PRODUCTO, 
MURIEL, BACKWOODS, SUPER VALUE and SUPRE SWEETS brands. The Company's mass 
market little cigars include the DUTCH TREATS, SUPER VALUE and SUPRE SWEETS 
brands. The Company's pipe tobacco products include the MIXTURE NO. 79 and 
CHINA BLACK brands. 

   
   The Company's financial results reflect the strength of the cigar industry 
and the Company's leadership position in that industry. In 1996, the Company 
had net sales of $216.9 million, operating income of $54.1 million, and net 
income of $29.8 million, representing increases of 37.1%, 72.1%, and 113.9%, 
respectively, from 1995 results. 
    

BUSINESS STRATEGY 

   The Company's business strategy includes: 

 CAPITALIZE ON GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES IN THE PREMIUM CIGAR SEGMENT 

   The Company intends to capitalize on the rapidly growing premium cigar 
market by (i) increasing the Company's production capabilities through its 
recently completed facility in Jamaica and continued expansion of its 
existing facilities in the Dominican Republic and Honduras, (ii) improving 
the market's awareness and recognition of its premium cigars through targeted 
marketing programs and (iii) expanding its premium cigar product offerings 
through the introduction of new super-premium cigars, such as H. UPMANN 
CHAIRMAN'S RESERVE and PLAYBOY by DON DIEGO, and the extension of its 
existing brands. 

   INCREASE PREMIUM CIGAR PRODUCTION. To increase production to meet existing 
and expected growth in demand for its premium cigars, the Company is (i) 
adding workers for second shifts at its manufacturing facilities in the 
Dominican Republic, (ii) actively hiring experienced, skilled rollers and 
bunchers, as well as training new rollers and bunchers, (iii) continuing to 
expand its manufacturing facilities in the Dominican Republic and Honduras, 
(iv) evaluating joint venture opportunities in countries where it may be 
advantageous to produce premium cigars and (v) continuing to improve 
manufacturing efficiencies. The Company currently estimates that it will 
spend approximately $4.0 million in 1997 for expansion of existing facilities 
and acquisition of additional manufacturing equipment. 

   IMPROVE BRAND AWARENESS AND RECOGNITION. In order to further strengthen 
and broaden the brand recognition of its premium cigars and to support new 
product introductions, the Company is increasing its marketing and 
advertising expenditures for its premium cigar products. This advertising is 
designed to enhance the Company's image and to promote specific brands. 

   EXPAND PREMIUM CIGAR BRANDS. As part of its strategy to capitalize on the 
significant growth in the premium cigar market and the increased demand for 
its premium cigars, the Company plans to 

                               27           
<PAGE>
   
continue to introduce new super-premium cigars. Recently, the Company 
introduced two super-premium cigars, H. UPMANN CHAIRMAN'S RESERVE and PLAYBOY 
by DON DIEGO. In addition, the Company introduced, in December 1996, a 
limited edition, collectible LEROY NEIMAN SELECTION cigar box featuring a 
reproduction of an original painting by Mr. Neiman. The Company intends to 
extend its premium cigar lines, including the MONTECRISTO and SANTA DAMIANA 
brands, through the introduction of new sizes, shapes, packaging and other 
new features. As a result of increased demand for cigars by women, the 
Company plans to introduce into various of the Company's brands cigar shapes 
designed specifically for women. The Company believes that such introductions 
and extensions will enable it to increase sales by shifting its premium cigar 
mix to more expensive cigars. 
    

 EXPAND MASS MARKET CIGAR AND PIPE TOBACCO PRODUCTS BUSINESSES 

   The Company will seek to expand further its mass market cigar business and 
pipe tobacco products business by continuing to capitalize on its well-known 
brand names and introducing new products that extend the Company's existing 
product lines. The Company plans to expand its ANTONIO Y CLEOPATRA line by 
introducing CHURCHILL MADURO, a full-size, machine-made, natural-wrapper 
cigar with a band placed on each cigar resembling those on hand made cigars. 
In addition, the Company intends to introduce new flavors, sizes, packaging 
and other new features and improvements to its existing mass market cigar and 
pipe tobacco products. Since 1989, the Company has introduced new cigar 
brands that include DUTCH MASTERS COLLECTION, SUPRE SWEETS and RUSTLERS to 
the mass market and extended its existing brands with new cigar products that 
included ANTONIO Y CLEOPATRA MINIS, WHIFFS, CONNECTICUT SHADE WRAPPER and 
BACKWOODS SWEET AROMATIC. The Company has also introduced new pipe tobacco 
products that include MURIEL PIPE TOBACCO and BLACK'N NATURAL. The Company 
plans to increase production capacity for its mass market cigars by acquiring 
additional manufacturing equipment as well as adding workers for second and 
third shifts. 

 BROADEN MASS MARKET CIGAR DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS 

   As a result of its existing relationships with mass market retailers, the 
Company is well-positioned to take advantage of the increase in consumer 
demand for mass market cigars sold through that channel of distribution. The 
Company distributes certain of its cigar and pipe tobacco products to, and 
develops new private label brands for, mass market retailers, such as WONDER 
BLEND for Kmart and other such products for Wal-Mart, Eckerd Drug stores, CVS 
stores, Thrifty Drug Stores and numerous other retail chains. The Company 
intends to broaden its existing relationships and actively develop new 
relationships with other mass market retailers and is pursuing opportunities 
in other distribution channels, including actively marketing its mass market 
cigars to convenience stores to take advantage of the increase in consumer 
demand for mass market cigars at such locations. 

 IMPROVE MANUFACTURING PROCESSES AND RAW MATERIAL PROCUREMENT 

   The Company continually seeks ways to improve further the efficiency of 
its manufacturing operations in order to ensure quality and realize cost 
savings. To ensure the quality of its raw materials while also maximizing 
cost savings, the Company will (i) continue to develop long-term 
relationships with tobacco suppliers, (ii) expand its commercial and 
technical ties with local growers, (iii) obtain its tobacco raw materials 
from a variety of suppliers and growers and (iv) take advantage of its large 
purchasing requirements to negotiate favorable terms from suppliers. 

 PURSUE SELECTIVELY STRATEGIC ACQUISITIONS 

   The Company intends to pursue selectively strategic acquisitions in the 
cigar and pipe tobacco products industry to expand its market share and 
product lines and benefit from synergies. However, the Company's ability to 
acquire additional tobacco businesses and brands is limited by, among other 
things, a dwindling number of potential acquisition candidates resulting from 
the consolidation in the tobacco industry as well as other economic, 
regulatory and industry factors. The Company also intends to pursue joint 
venture opportunities to enhance its overall cigar and pipe tobacco 
businesses. 

                               28           
<PAGE>
MARKET OVERVIEW 

   In recent years, cigar smoking has gained popularity in the United States, 
resulting in a significant increase in consumption and retail sales of 
cigars, particularly for premium cigars. Management believes that this 
increase in cigar consumption and retail sales is the result of a number of 
factors, including: (i) the increase in the number of adults over the age of 
50 (a demographic group believed to smoke more cigars than any other 
demographic segment) and (ii) the emergence of an expanding base of younger 
affluent adults who have recently started smoking cigars and who tend to 
smoke premium cigars. The Company believes the increase in cigar smoking is 
in large part attributable to a positive and improving image of cigar smoking 
resulting from increased publicity, including the success of cigar magazines, 
the increased visibility of use by celebrities and the proliferation of 
"Cigar Smokers" dinners and other special events for cigar smokers. 

   
   Consumption of cigars in the United States is currently increasing 
following a decline in consumption between 1964 and 1993 at a compound annual 
unit rate of 3.6% (and, with respect to large cigar consumption, at a compound 
annual unit rate of 5.0%). Consumption of cigars increased to 4.0 billion
units in 1995 from 3.4 billion units in 1993, with substantial growth in 
premium cigars. Preliminary industry statistics indicate that consumption of 
cigars increased to 4.5 billion units in 1996. Consumption of premium cigars 
increased at a compound annual unit rate of 2.4% from 1976 to 1991, at a 
compound annual unit rate of 8.9% from 1991 to 1994 and at a unit rate of 
30.5% from 1994 to 164.3 million units in 1995. Preliminary industry 
statistics indicate that consumption of premium cigars increased at a unit 
rate of approximately 67.0% from 1995 to 275.0 million units in 1996. The 
mass market segment of the industry has also experienced increased 
consumption with a compound annual unit rate of 7.2% from 1993 to 3.8 billion 
units in 1995, with consumption of mass market large cigars increasing at a 
compound annual unit rate of 8.8% from 1993 to 2.4 billion units in 1995. 
Preliminary industry statistics indicate that consumption of mass market 
cigars increased at a unit rate of approximately 11.0% from 1995 to 4.2 
billion units in 1996, with consumption of mass market large cigars 
increasing at a unit rate of approximately 13.0% from 1995 to 2.7 billion 
units in 1996. Consumption of large (premium and mass market) cigars 
increased at a unit rate of approximately 17.1% from 1995 to 3.0 billion 
units in 1996. Retail sales of cigars, which generally declined from 1964 to 
1987 and grew modestly from 1987 to 1993, experienced significant growth from 
1993 to 1995 with retail sales of cigars outpacing unit growth since 1991. 
This growth in retail sales of cigars was primarily the result of a 
combination of increased prices and a shift in the sales mix to more 
expensive cigars. Total retail sales have increased at a compound annual rate 
of 9.3% from 1991 to $1.0 billion in 1995, while the corresponding compound 
annual unit rate was only 3.6%. Preliminary industry statistics indicate that 
total retail sales increased 24.4% from 1995 to $1.3 billion in 1996. The 
Company believes that unit consumption of cigars and retail sales in the 
cigar industry should continue to increase in 1997 at rates similar to those 
experienced by the industry in 1996 and is very optimistic about the 
long-term future of the cigar industry and the Company. There can be no 
assurance, however, that unit consumption and retail sales of cigars will 
continue to increase in the future. See "Risk Factors--Declining Market for 
Cigars through 1993" and "--Extensive and Increasing Regulation of Tobacco 
Products." 
    
<PAGE>

   The following table illustrates the trends in unit consumption and retail 
sales experienced by the premium and mass market segments of the U.S. cigar 
industry from 1991 to 1996. 

   
                            U.S. CIGAR INDUSTRY(a) 
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               1992       1993       1994        1995     1996E(b) 
                                       ---------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
                                                 (IN MILLIONS) 
<S>                          <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>
Unit Consumption: 
 Premium Large Cigars(c)  .      99.4      110.0      125.9       164.3      275.0 
 Mass Market Large Cigars     2,112.0    2,025.7    2,208.8     2,397.7    2,725.0 
                             --------  ---------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
  Total Large Cigars  .....   2,211.4    2,135.7    2,334.7     2,562.0    3,000.0 
 Mass Market Little Cigars    1,306.7    1,287.7    1,383.4     1,408.3    1,500.0 
                             --------  ---------  ---------  ----------  --------- 
  Total ...................   3,518.1    3,423.4    3,718.1     3,970.3    4,500.0 
                             ========  =========  =========  ==========  ========= 
Retail Sales ..............  $  715.0  $   730.0  $   860.0    $1,005.0   $1,250.0 
                             ========  =========  =========  ==========  ========= 
</TABLE>
    

- ------------ 
(a)    Source: Cigar Association of America, Inc. ("CAA"). 

   
(b)    Estimated results for 1996. 
    

(c)    CAA's premium cigar data includes cigars imported from seven leading 
       supplier countries and does not include any premium cigars produced in 
       other countries, including the United States. CAA includes such U.S. 
       premium cigar production, which approximated 5.0 million units in 1995, 
       in mass market cigar data. 

                               29           
<PAGE>
PRODUCTS 

   The Company manufactures cigars in all subcategories and at all price 
levels. The Company also manufactures its own cigar boxes and man-made 
wrapper, filler and binder and little-cigar filters. 

 PREMIUM CIGARS 

   Premium cigars are generally hand made and primarily sell at retail price 
points above $1.00 per cigar. The Company's premium cigars are primarily 
long-filler, large cigars that have high quality natural leaf wrappers and 
binders. The Company uses tobaccos of the best grades for its premium cigars. 
Such tobaccos are combined according to brand-specified formulas to create 
the "filler" of each cigar. In order to make hand made cigars, "binder" 
tobacco is hand-wrapped around filler to create the "bunch" which is placed 
into a mold. Then, "wrapper" tobacco is hand-wrapped around the bunch, 
creating a premium cigar. In the Company's premium cigars, the wrapper, 
binder and filler are natural tobacco leaf. 

   The Company's premium cigars include the well-known H. UPMANN, 
MONTECRISTO, DON DIEGO, TE-AMO, SANTA DAMIANA, ROYAL JAMAICA, PRIMO DEL REY 
and MONTECRUZ brands as well as other recognized brand names. The Company's 
premium cigars are manufactured in its Dominican Republic and Honduras 
facilities, except for TE-AMO, which is manufactured in Mexico and purchased 
from a third party. 

 MASS MARKET CIGARS 

   Mass market cigars are machine made and generally have a retail price 
point of $1.00 or less per cigar. Mass market cigars use less expensive 
tobacco than premium cigars. The Company uses a variety of techniques and 
grades of tobacco to produce mass market cigars which compete at all the 
price points in the mass cigar market. Mass market cigars include large 
cigars (weighing three pounds per 1,000 cigars or more) and little cigars 
(weighing less than three pounds per 1,000 cigars). 

   Mass market large cigars generally consist of filler tobacco that is 
wrapped first with a binder and then with a wrapper. The more expensive mass 
market large cigars combine natural leaf wrapper and man-made binder made 
from tobacco ingredients instead of natural binder, with filler threshed into 
short, uniform pieces. In less expensive mass market large cigars, man-made 
wrapper made primarily from tobacco ingredients replaces natural tobacco 
leaf. The Company adds flavors and/or plastic tips to certain of its 
popularly priced mass market large cigars. The Company's major mass market 
brands in the middle price range include ANTONIO Y CLEOPATRA, DUTCH MASTERS, 
EL PRODUCTO, BACKWOODS, SUPER VALUE and SUPRE SWEETS. The Company's MURIEL 
brand is in the less expensive range. 

   Little cigars consist of filler tobacco wrapped only by a wrapper with a 
filter tip. Little cigars are made on a high-speed machine with man-made 
wrapper made from tobacco ingredients and no binder. Little cigars are 
flavored and produced with a filter. Generally, little cigars are the lowest 
priced segment of the mass market category. The Company's little cigar brands 
include DUTCH TREATS, SUPER VALUE and SUPRE SWEETS. 

 PIPE TOBACCO AND ACCESSORIES 

   In addition to its cigars, the Company manufactures pipe tobaccos for sale 
under its own brand names, such as MIXTURE NO. 79 and CHINA BLACK, and for 
sale in bulk to tobacconists, as well as private label brands for chain 
stores and wholesale distributors. The Company also distributes smokers' 
accessories, such as lighters, tobacco pouches, pipe cleaners and cigar 
cutters. Net sales attributable to the distribution of such accessories was 
not material to the Company's results of operations in fiscal 1995. 

   The Company uses tobaccos of various types, grades, countries of origin 
and crop years for its pipe tobacco, which are moisturized with steam and 
then blended according to specific formulas ("primary blends"). The primary 
blends are "cased" (sprayed or dipped) in liquids containing water, 
humectant, sugars, licorice, cocoa, fruit juices or other flavorings in order 
to keep the tobacco in pliable condition and to enhance its aroma and taste. 
The cased tobaccos are cut and dried and then held in bins to allow the 

                               30           
<PAGE>
casing and moisture to be distributed uniformly throughout the tobacco. 
Thereafter, the tobacco blends are flavored with natural and artificial 
flavors, herbs or spices, and blends are held for a short period of time 
prior to packaging into pouches, bags, cans or other selling containers. 

 SPECIALTY AND OTHER PRODUCTS 

   The Company's other products include various tobacco and non-tobacco 
related products manufactured by the Company in order to utilize excess 
manufacturing capacity at certain of its facilities and improve overall 
efficiency. See "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions--Specialty 
Products Division." 

BACKORDERS 

   
   The increased demand for cigars, especially premium cigars, has caused the 
Company's back orders of premium cigars to increase from 3.2 million cigars 
at December 31, 1994 to 4.3 million cigars at December 31, 1995, and to 
further increase to 37.0 million cigars at December 31, 1996. Although the 
demand for premium cigars has continued to increase, the substantial increase 
in backorders of premium cigars experienced by the Company in 1996 was due, 
at least in part, to the practice by customers of submitting orders well in 
excess of required quantities in an attempt to ensure a larger allocation of 
the Company's premium cigar production. As such, the increase in backorders 
does not accurately reflect the demand for the Company's premium cigars. 
Beginning in 1997, the Company established new ordering policies to reduce 
backorders. The Company no longer accepts orders from its largest customers
for premium cigars, but instead allocates to each of them a portion of its
production. As a result of such new ordering policies, the amount of future 
backorders will not be comparable to those previously experienced by the 
Company. The Company's ability to increase its production of premium 
cigars and decrease its backorders is, however, constrained by a shortage of 
experienced skilled laborers. Although the Company is hiring and training new 
rollers and bunchers, the training process averages up to one year and not 
all trainees are able to successfully complete the Company's training 
program. The Company is building additional plant capacity to meet future 
growth in demand for its premium cigars. Although the Company believes that 
these measures will enable it to increase its production of premium cigars, 
there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to meet any future 
level of demand for its premium cigars. There can be no assurance, however, 
that demand for the Company's premium cigars will continue to grow in the 
future. 
    

   The Company's ability to manufacture premium and mass market cigars may 
also be constrained by the ability of tobacco growers and suppliers to meet 
the Company's demands for its raw materials in a timely manner. Tobacco, as a 
crop that is harvested annually, restricts the ability of tobacco growers to 
adjust acreage grown in any given year to meet changes in market demands. In 
addition, increases in acreage of tobacco grown requires significant capital, 
which growers may be unable or unwilling to invest. If the rate of escalation 
in consumption of cigars and other tobacco products continues, but the supply 
of tobacco remains constant or increases at a lower rate than demand, the 
Company's ability to increase its production of cigars, and thereby reduce 
its backorders, could be inhibited. 

SALES AND MARKETING 

   
   The Company sells its cigar and pipe tobacco products throughout the 
United States to over 2,500 customers, consisting of wholesale distributors, 
direct buying chains, including drug store chains and mass market retailers, 
and tobacconists. The Company employs a full-time in-house sales organization 
to develop and service its sales to wholesalers, distributors, direct buying 
chains and tobacconists. The Company's sales force is organized into two 
sales units: a mass market division and a premium division. The Company 
believes that the organization of its sales force into two divisions 
positions it to maintain a high degree of focus on each of its principal 
product categories. The mass market sales force calls on distributors and 
retail and chain store accounts, including Kmart, Wal-Mart, Eckerd Drug 
Stores, CVS stores and Thrifty Drug Stores, across the United States. 
Approximately 88% of the Company's mass market cigar products are sold 
through wholesale distributors while approximately 12% are sold to direct 
buying chains or independent retailers that warehouse for themselves. The 
premium cigar sales force calls directly on tobacconists and distributors. 
The Company's sales force operates regionally and locally from home and car, 
maintaining close familiarity with local customers. Most salespeople maintain 
a small stock of inventory which is used primarily to replace local 
distributors' old or damaged products and to display new product 
introductions or promotions. 
    

                               31           
<PAGE>
   The Company supplies cigar merchandising fixtures to retailers at no cost 
and believes that it is the primary supplier of such fixtures to the United 
States retail trade. These fixtures help to maintain an attractive product 
display and to increase shelf space available for the Company's products. 

   For the year ended December 31, 1996, the Company had more than 2,500 
customers, the top five of which accounted for approximately 22% of annual 
sales with the largest customer accounting for approximately 6%. The Company 
believes that the loss of any one customer would not be material to the 
Company's business. The Company maintains no long-term contracts for the sale 
of its merchandise. 

   The Company advertises its mass market cigar products primarily through 
coupons and other promotions distributed at point of sale and through direct 
mail. The Company advertises its premium cigar products in magazines, such as 
Cigar Aficionado, Playboy and The New York Times Sunday Magazine, as well as 
in newspapers and on radio. In order to strengthen and broaden further the 
brand recognition of its premium cigars and to maximize the business 
opportunities created by the resurgence in popularity of and increased demand 
for premium cigars, the Company has increased its marketing and advertising 
expenditures in connection with its existing premium cigar brands. The 
increased advertising and marketing expenditures are being used to support 
new product introductions and increase awareness and recognition of the 
Company's premium brands. 

   Sales of the Company's cigar products outside of the United States are 
currently not material, although the Company has begun to strengthen its 
presence in the international market for premium and mass market cigars, 
particularly in Europe, the Middle East, Latin America and Asia, by 
increasing management's focus on the Company's direct export business. The 
Company has hired an experienced international marketing manager to 
concentrate on foreign sales and promotions and currently has a total of 47 
agents and distributors in Europe, the Middle East, Latin America and Asia. 

TRADEMARKS 

   Trademarks and brand name recognition are important to the Company's 
business. The Company generally owns the trademarks under which its products 
are sold. The Company has registered its trademarks in the United States and 
many other countries and will continue to do so as new trademarks are 
developed or acquired. The Company does not hold or own the right to use 
certain of its well-known trademarks and brand names in certain foreign 
markets. The Company's ability to expand into such markets by capitalizing on 
the strength of its brand names in the United States may be limited by its 
right to use or acquire such brand names in those foreign markets. 

   Unless otherwise indicated, the Company owns the trademarks listed below: 

                           PREMIUM CIGAR TRADEMARKS 

       Cabanas 
      Don Diego 
      Don Marcos 
      Don Miguel 
  Flor de Canarias 
     H. Upmann(a) 
      Henry Clay 
    Las Cabrillas 
      Malaguena 
    Montecristo(a) 
      Montecruz 
  Por Larranaga(a) 
    Primo Del Rey 
    Santa Damiana 
      Santa Ynez 
     Super Value 
        Te-Amo 
     Wonder Blend 

                         MASS MARKET CIGAR TRADEMARKS 

  Antonio y Cleopatra 
        Backwoods 
      Ben Franklin 
      Dutch Masters 
      Dutch Treats 
       El Producto 
        Harvester 
        Headline 
        La Corona 
         Muriel 
         Roi-Tan 
       Super Value 
      Supre Sweets 
      Wonder Blend 

<PAGE>

                             PIPE TOBACCO TRADEMARKS 

     China Black 
    Dutch Masters 
       Kriswill 
    Mixture No. 79 
     Super Value 
  Three Star Royal 
     Wonder Blend 

- ------------ 
   (a) Trademark is owned by Cuban Cigar Brands, N.V., a 51% owned subsidiary 
of the Company. 

                               32           
<PAGE>
   While the Company does not believe that any single trademark is material 
to the vitality of its business, it believes that its trademarks taken as a 
whole are material to its business. Accordingly, the Company has taken, and 
will continue to take, action to protect its interests in all such 
trademarks. 

RAW MATERIALS 

   The Company has developed and is developing long-term relationships with 
tobacco suppliers and is expanding its commercial and technical ties with 
local growers to secure a variety of sources for raw materials, ensure the 
quality of its raw materials and maximize cost savings. 

   The Company buys tobacco directly from a large number of suppliers in 
Brazil, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Costa Rica, Germany, Italy, 
the Dominican Republic, Paraguay, the Philippines, Indonesia, the United 
States, Ecuador, Honduras, Mexico and other countries and does not believe 
that it is dependent on any single source for tobacco. The Company has 
recently experienced shortages in certain types of its natural wrapper and 
premium cigar tobaccos due to the increase in demand for high quality natural 
wrapped cigars. These shortages have caused the price of natural wrapper and 
premium cigar tobaccos to increase. To date, these shortages of tobacco have 
not materially adversely affected cigar manufacturing or the Company's 
profitability, but could if the Company is unable to purchase additional 
quantities of certain tobaccos in the future or is unable to pass increases 
for such raw materials onto its customers. See "Risk Factors--Social, 
Political and Economic Risks Associated with Foreign Operations and 
International Trade" and "--Backorders." 

   In addition, the Company purchases packaging materials from multiple 
suppliers predominantly in the United States. No single supplier accounts for 
10% or more of the Company's raw materials. 

COMPETITION 

   
   The Company is the largest manufacturer and marketer of cigars in the 
United States in terms of dollar sales and believes that it is the only 
participant in the cigar industry that is a major competitor in all 
subcategories of cigars at all price levels. The other three significant 
competitors in the cigar market in terms of market share, in order of size, 
are Swisher International Group Inc., General Cigar Co. Inc., currently a 
division of Culbro Corporation and Havatampa/Phillies Cigar Corporation, a 
privately held corporation. In addition, Tobacco Exporters International 
Limited (a subsidiary of Rothmans International) is a significant competitor 
in the little cigar market. The Company believes that its leading market 
position in the cigar industry is due to its strong, well-known brand names, 
broad range of product offerings within both the mass market and premium 
segments of the United States cigar market, commitment to and reputation for 
manufacturing quality cigars, marketing expertise, close attention to 
customer service, efficient manufacturing operations and an experienced 
management team. If and when normalization of relations between the United 
States and Cuba occurs, the entry of Cuban premium cigars into the United 
States market could increase competition in the Company's core premium cigar 
market. 

   Through its Allied Tobacco Division in Richmond, Virginia, the Company 
competes in all areas of the U.S. pipe tobacco business including branded, 
private label and bulk tobacco. The Company believes it is the fourth largest 
manufacturer in the U.S. of pipe tobacco, in terms of dollar sales, and its 
largest competitors in order of size are Lane Limited, John Middleton Inc. 
and UST Inc. 
    

THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY 

 REGULATION 

   Cigar manufacturers, like other producers of tobacco products, are subject 
to regulation in the United States at federal, state and local levels. 
Together with changing public attitudes towards smoking, a constant expansion 
of smoking regulations since the early 1970's has been a major cause of the 
overall decline in consumption of tobacco products. Moreover, the trend is 
toward increasing regulation of the tobacco industry. 

                               33           
<PAGE>
   Federal law has required health warnings on cigarettes since 1965 and has 
recently required states, in order to receive full funding for federal 
substance abuse block grants, to establish a minimum age of 18 years for the 
sale of tobacco products together with an appropriate enforcement program. In 
recent years, a variety of bills relating to tobacco issues have been 
introduced in the Congress of the United States, including bills that would 
have (i) prohibited the advertising and promotion of all tobacco products 
and/or restricted or eliminated the deductibility of such advertising 
expenses; (ii) increased labeling requirements on tobacco products to 
include, among other things, addiction warnings and lists of additives and 
toxins; (iii) modified federal preemption of state laws to allow state courts 
to hold tobacco manufacturers liable under common law or state statutes; (iv) 
shifted regulatory control of tobacco products and advertisements from the 
FTC to the FDA; (v) increased tobacco excise taxes; and required tobacco 
companies to pay for health care costs incurred by the federal government in 
connection with tobacco related diseases. Hearings have been held on certain 
of these proposals; however, to date, none of such proposals have been passed 
by Congress. Future enactment of such proposals or similar bills may have an 
adverse effect on the sales or operations of the Company. In addition, 
various federal agencies, including the FDA, have recently proposed to 
regulate the tobacco industry. 

   In addition, the majority of states restrict or prohibit smoking in 
certain public places and restrict the sale of tobacco products to minors. 
Local legislative and regulatory bodies have also increasingly moved to 
curtail smoking by prohibiting smoking in certain buildings or areas or by 
requiring designated "smoking" areas. In a few states, legislation has been 
introduced, but has not yet passed, which would require all little cigars 
sold in those states to be "fire-safe" (i.e., cigars which extinguish 
themselves if not continuously smoked). Passage of this type of legislation 
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's little cigar sales 
because of the technological difficulties in complying with such legislation. 
The Company does not expect the passage of any such legislation to have a 
material adverse effect on the Company's business or results of operations 
taken as a whole. There is currently an effort by the U.S. Consumer Product 
Safety Commission to establish such standards for cigarettes. The enabling 
legislation, as originally proposed, included little cigars; however, little 
cigars were deleted due to the lack of information on fires caused by these 
products. 

   
   Increased cigar consumption and the publicity such increase has received 
may increase the risk of additional regulation of tobacco products or of 
cigars. Consideration at both the federal and state level also has been given 
to the consequences of tobacco smoke on others who are not currently smoking 
(so called "second-hand" smoke). There can be no assurance that regulation 
relating to second-hand smoke will not be adopted or that such regulation or 
related litigation would not have a material adverse effect on the Company's 
results of operations or financial condition. 
    

   Although federal law has required health warnings on cigarettes since 
1965, there is no federal law requiring that cigars or pipe tobacco carry 
such warnings. However, California requires "clear and reasonable" warnings 
to consumers who are exposed to chemicals known to the state to cause cancer 
or reproductive toxicity, including tobacco smoke and several of its 
constituent chemicals. Violations of this law, known as Proposition 65, can 
result in a civil penalty not to exceed $2,500 per day for each violation. 
Although similar legislation has been introduced in other states, no action 
has been taken. 

   During 1988, the Company and 25 manufacturers of tobacco products entered 
into a settlement of legal proceedings filed against them pursuant to 
Proposition 65. Under the terms of the settlement, the Company and such other 
defendants agreed to label retail packages or containers of cigars, pipe 
tobaccos and other smoking tobaccos other than cigarettes manufactured or 
imported for sale in California with a specified warning label. To guarantee 
compliance with the California requirements, to eliminate errors in 
distribution and to maintain the efficiencies of the manufacturing process, 
the Company and most of its competitors have begun using the label on all of 
their tobacco products shipped to customers in all states, except for a few 
premium cigar customers. 

   Massachusetts recently enacted legislation requiring manufacturers of 
cigarettes, chewing tobacco and snuff to provide the state annually with a 
list of the additives (in descending order of weight) and the nicotine yield 
ratings of each brand they produce, which information will, subject to 
certain conditions, be 

                               34           
<PAGE>
made publicly available. In addition, various legislative proposals have been 
introduced in Massachusetts that would extend such reporting requirement to 
cigar manufacturers and that would require health warnings on cigars. Similar 
legislation has been introduced in other states. 

   The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (the "EPA") published a report in 
January 1993 with respect to the respiratory health effects of passive 
smoking, which concluded that widespread exposure to environmental tobacco 
smoke presents a serious and substantial public health concern. In June 1993, 
Philip Morris Companies Inc. and five other representatives of the tobacco 
manufacturing and distribution industries filed suit against the EPA seeking 
a declaration that the EPA does not have the statutory authority to regulate 
environmental tobacco smoke, and that, in view of the available scientific 
evidence and the EPA's failure to follow its own guidelines in making the 
determination, the EPA's final risk assessment was arbitrary and capricious. 
The court ruled in May 1995 that plaintiffs have standing to pursue this 
action. Whatever the outcome of this litigation, issuance of the report, 
which is based primarily on studies of passive cigarette smokers, may lead to 
further legislation designed to protect non-smokers. 

   In February 1994, the FDA, in a letter to an anti-smoking group, claimed 
that it may be possible for the FDA to regulate cigarettes under the drug 
provisions of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the "FDC Act"). The FDA's 
claim is based upon allegations that manufacturers may intend that their 
products contain nicotine to satisfy an alleged addiction on the part of some 
of their customers. The letter indicated that regulation of cigarettes under 
the FDC Act could ultimately result in the removal from the market of 
products containing nicotine at levels that cause or satisfy addiction. In 
March 1994, the FDA began investigating whether cigarettes should be 
regulated as a drug. In July 1995, the FDA announced that it has concluded 
for the first time that nicotine is a drug that should be regulated and 
proposed to regulate smokeless tobacco and cigarettes. The FDA recently 
adopted final regulations relating to the marketing, promotion and 
advertisement of smokeless tobacco and cigarettes. Although the FDA's 
definition of cigarettes originally included little cigars, little cigars 
were excluded from the final regulations. These regulations are currently 
being challenged in the United States District Court for the Eastern District 
of North Carolina and the United States District Court for the Southern 
District of New York. While the Company is unable to predict the effect of 
these regulations on its business, these and other regulations promulgated by 
the FDA in the future could have a material adverse effect on the operations 
of the Company. 

 LITIGATION 

   Historically, the cigar industry has not experienced material 
health-related litigation and, to date, the Company has not been the subject 
of any material health-related litigation. However, the cigarette and 
smokeless tobacco industries have experienced and are experiencing 
significant health-related litigation involving tobacco and health issues. 

   Litigation against the cigarette industry has historically been brought by 
individual cigarette smokers. In 1992, the United States Supreme Court in 
Cippollone v. Liggett Group, Inc. ruled that federal legislation relating to 
cigarette labeling requirements preempts claims based on failure to warn 
consumers about the health hazards of cigarette smoking, but does not preempt 
claims based on express warranty, misrepresentation, fraud or conspiracy. To 
date, individual cigarette smokers' claims against the cigarette industry 
have been generally unsuccessful; however, on August 9, 1996, a Florida jury 
in Carter v. Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation determined that a 
cigarette manufacturer was negligent in the production and sale of its 
cigarettes and sold a product that was unreasonably dangerous and defective, 
awarding the plaintiffs a total of $750,000 in compensatory damages. The 
verdict is on appeal. 

   Current tobacco litigation generally falls within one of three categories: 
class actions, individual actions (which have been filed mainly in the State 
of Florida), or actions brought by individual states or localities to recover 
Medicaid costs allegedly attributable to tobacco-related illnesses. The 
pending actions allege a broad range of injuries resulting from the use of 
tobacco products or exposure to tobacco smoke and seek various remedies, 
including compensatory and, in some cases, punitive damages together with 
certain types of equitable relief such as the establishment of medical 
monitoring funds and 

                               35           
<PAGE>
restitution. The major tobacco companies are vigorously defending these 
actions, including by challenging the authority of state attorneys general to 
bring Medicaid actions attributable to tobacco-related illnesses and, in some 
states, bringing preemptive lawsuits to enjoin the state attorneys general 
from instituting litigation. 

   
   The recent increase in the sales of cigars and the publicity such increase 
has received may have the effect of increasing the probability of legal 
claims. Also, a recent study published in the journal Science reported that a 
chemical found in tobacco smoke has been found to cause genetic damage in 
lung cells that is identical to damage observed in many malignant tumors of 
the lung and, thereby, directly links lung cancer to smoking. This study 
could affect pending and future tobacco regulation or litigation. 
    

   In May 1996, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in Castano v. American 
Tobacco, et al. reversed a Louisiana district court's certification of a 
nationwide class consisting essentially of nicotine dependent cigarette 
smokers. Notwithstanding the dismissal, new class actions asserting claims 
similar to those in Castano have recently been filed in certain states. To 
date, two pending class actions against major cigarette manufacturers have 
been certified. The first case is limited to Florida citizens allegedly 
injured by their addiction to cigarettes; the other is limited to flight 
attendants allegedly injured through exposure to secondhand smoke. 

   There can be no assurance that there will not be an increase in 
health-related litigation involving tobacco and health issues against the 
cigarette industry or similar litigation in the future against cigar 
manufacturers. The costs to the Company of defending prolonged litigation and 
any settlement or successful prosecution of any material health-related 
litigation against manufacturers of cigars, cigarettes or smokeless tobacco 
or suppliers to the tobacco industry could have a material adverse effect on 
the Company's business. 

 EXCISE TAXES 

   Cigars and pipe tobacco have long been subject to federal, state and local 
excise taxes, and such taxes have frequently been increased or proposed to be 
increased, in some cases significantly, to fund various legislative 
initiatives. 

   From 1977 until December 31, 1990, cigars were subject to a federal excise 
tax of 8.5% of wholesale list price, capped at $20.00 per thousand cigars. 
Effective January 1, 1991, the federal excise tax rate on large cigars 
(weighing more than three pounds per thousand cigars) increased to 10.625%, 
capped at $25.00 per thousand cigars, and increased to 12.75%, capped at 
$30.00 per thousand cigars, effective January 1, 1993. However, the base on 
which the federal excise tax is calculated was lowered effective January 1, 
1991 to the manufacturer's selling price, net of the federal excise tax and 
certain other exclusions. In addition, the federal excise tax on pipe tobacco 
increased from $0.45 per pound to $0.5625 per pound effective January 1, 
1991. The excise tax on pipe tobacco increased effective January 1, 1993, to 
$0.675 per pound. The federal excise tax on little cigars (weighing less than 
three pounds per thousand cigars) increased from $0.75 per thousand cigars to 
$0.9375 per thousand cigars effective January 1, 1991. The excise tax on 
little cigars increased to $1.125 per thousand cigars effective January 1, 
1993. The increase in the federal excise tax rate in 1991 and again in 1993 
did not have a material adverse effect on the Company's product sales. 

   In the past, there have been various proposals by the federal government 
to fund legislative initiatives through increases in federal excise taxes on 
tobacco products. In 1993, the Clinton Administration proposed a significant 
increase in excise taxes on cigars, pipe tobacco, cigarettes and other 
tobacco products to fund the Clinton Administration's health care reform 
program. The Company believes that the volume of cigars and pipe tobacco sold 
would have been dramatically reduced if excise taxes were enacted as 
originally proposed as part of the Clinton Administration's health care 
reform program. Future enactment of significant increases in excise taxes, 
such as those initially proposed by the Clinton Administration or other 
proposals not linked specifically to health care reform, would have a 
material adverse effect on the business of the Company. The Company is unable 
to predict the likelihood of the passage or the enactment of future increases 
in tobacco excise taxes. 

                               36           
<PAGE>
   Tobacco products are also subject to certain state and local taxes. 
Deficit concerns at the state level continue to exert pressure to increase 
tobacco taxes. Since 1964, the number of states that tax cigars has risen 
from six to forty-one. Since 1988, the following eleven states have enacted 
excise taxes on cigars, where no prior tax had been in effect: California, 
Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, South Dakota, Rhode 
Island, Illinois, Missouri and Michigan. State excise taxes generally range 
from 2% to 75% of the wholesale purchase price. In addition, the following 
nine states have increased existing taxes on large cigars since 1988: 
Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, New York, North Dakota, Vermont and 
Washington. The following five states tax little cigars at the same rates as 
cigarettes: California, Connecticut, Iowa, Oregon and Tennessee. Except for 
Tennessee, all of these states have increased their cigarette taxes since 
1988. 

   State cigar excise taxes are not subject to caps similar to the federal 
cigar excise tax. From time to time, the imposition of state and local taxes 
has had some impact on sales regionally. The enactment of new state excise 
taxes and the increase in existing state excise taxes are likely to have an 
adverse effect on regional sales as cigar consumption generally declines, 
which in turn is likely to have an adverse effect on the Company's results of 
operations. The Company is unable to predict the materiality or likelihood of 
the enactment of new state excise taxes or the increase in existing state 
excise taxes and, therefore, is unable to predict the extent of any adverse 
effect on the Company's business or results of operations that may result 
from the imposition of such taxes. 

EMPLOYEES 

   The Company employs approximately 4,800 persons. The Company believes that 
its relations with its employees are satisfactory. Union contracts, expiring 
at various dates, cover salesmen in New York and hourly employees in McAdoo, 
Pennsylvania and Richmond, Virginia. The McAdoo agreement with the Teamsters 
Local 401 expires in December 1998 and the Richmond agreement with the 
Warehouse Employees Local 322 expires in January 1999. The Company has 
experienced no work stoppages due to labor problems in the last ten years. 

PROPERTIES 

   As of December 31, 1996, the principal properties owned or leased by the 
Company for use in its business included: 

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 APPROXIMATE 
                                                                     OWNED OR    FLOOR SPACE 
LOCATION                       PRINCIPAL USE                          LEASED      (SQ. FT.) 
- -----------------------------  ----------------------------------  ----------  ------------- 
<S>                            <C>                                 <C>         <C>
McAdoo, Pennsylvania           Mass market cigar manufacturing and     Owned       369,000 
                               distribution 
Cayey, Puerto Rico             Mass market cigar manufacturing         Owned       280,000 
La Romana, Dominican Republic  Premium cigar manufacturing            Leased       170,000 
Comerio, Puerto Rico           Tobacco processing                      Owned       151,000 
Richmond, Virginia             Pipe tobacco manufacturing and         Leased        90,000 
                               premium cigar distribution 
Danli, Honduras                Premium cigar manufacturing             Owned        45,000 
Maypen, Jamaica                Premium cigar manufacturing             Owned        25,000 
Fort Lauderdale, Florida       Administrative office                  Leased        19,000 
</TABLE>
    

   The Company believes that its existing and planned manufacturing 
facilities and distribution centers are adequate for the current level of the 
Company's operations. The Company believes that additional facilities, if 
necessary, would be readily available on a timely basis on commercially 
reasonable terms. For 1997, the Company is expanding its existing 
manufacturing facilities in the Dominican Republic and Honduras and acquiring 
additional manufacturing equipment for a total expected cost of approximately 
$4 million. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition 
and Results of Operations--Liquidity and Capital Resources." 

   Further, the Company believes that the leased space that houses its 
existing manufacturing and distribution facilities is not unique and could be 
readily replaced, if necessary, at the end of the terms of 

                               37           
<PAGE>
its existing leases on commercially reasonable terms. The Company's leases 
have expiration dates ranging from 1999 to 2000, many of which are renewable 
at the option of the Company. 

   All of the principal properties owned by the Company are subject to first 
priority liens granted in favor of the lenders under the Credit Agreement. 
See "Description of Certain Indebtedness--Credit Agreement." 

   The Company has excess capacity in all of its cigar and pipe tobacco 
plants. The Company's ability to take advantage of such excess capacity by 
increasing shift operations and the production of premium and mass market 
cigars may be limited by the availability of trained laborers and shortages 
in the supply of tobacco. See "--Backorders." 

   The Company believes that its facilities are well maintained and in 
substantial compliance with environmental laws and regulations. 

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS 

   The Company is a party to lawsuits incidental to its business. The Company 
believes that the outcome of such pending legal proceedings in the aggregate 
will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated 
financial position. The Company carries general liability insurance but has 
no health hazard policy, which, to the best of the Company's knowledge, is 
consistent with industry practice. There can be no assurance, however, that 
the Company will not experience material health-related litigation in the 
future. 

                               38           
<PAGE>
                                  MANAGEMENT 

DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS 

 THE COMPANY 

   
   The following table sets forth certain information (ages as of February 
28, 1997) concerning the Directors and executive officers of the Company. All 
Directors serve terms of one year or until the election of their respective 
successors. 
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 NAME                          AGE  POSITION 
- ---------------------------  -----  ------------------------------------------------------ 
<S>                          <C>    <C>
Ronald O. Perelman .........   54   Chairman of the Board of Directors and a Director 
Howard Gittis ..............   63   Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors and a Director 
Donald G. Drapkin ..........   48   Director 
Theo W. Folz ...............   53   President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director 
Lee A. Iacocca .............   72   Director 
Robert Sargent Shriver III     42   Director 
Barry F. Schwartz ..........   47   Executive Vice President and General Counsel 
Gary R. Ellis ..............   43   Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and 
                                    Treasurer 
James M. Parnofiello .......   48   Vice President and Controller 
</TABLE>
    

 CONSOLIDATED CIGAR 

   
   The following table sets forth certain information (ages as of February 
28, 1997) concerning the Directors and executive officers of Consolidated 
Cigar. All Directors serve terms of one year or until the election of their 
respective successors. 
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 NAME                      AGE  POSITION 
- -----------------------  -----  ------------------------------------------------------ 
<S>                      <C>    <C>
Ronald O. Perelman  ....   54   Chairman of the Board of Directors and a Director 
Howard Gittis ..........   63   Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors and a Director 
Donald G. Drapkin ......   48   Director 
Theo W. Folz ...........   53   President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director 
Richard L. DiMeola  ....   62   Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer 
Gary R. Ellis ..........   43   Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, 
                                Secretary and Treasurer 
James L. Colucci .......   50   Senior Vice President -- Sales and Marketing 
George F. Gershel, Jr.     66   Senior Vice President -- Tobacco 
Denis F. McQuillen  ....   51   Senior Vice President -- Manufacturing 
James M. Parnofiello  ..   48   Vice President and Controller 
</TABLE>
    

   
   Mr. Perelman has been Chairman of the Board and a Director of the Company 
and Consolidated Cigar since 1993. Mr. Perelman has been Chairman of the 
Board and Chief Executive Officer of Mafco Holdings and MacAndrews & Forbes 
Holdings Inc. ("MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings" and, together with Mafco 
Holdings, "MacAndrews & Forbes") and various of its affiliates since 1980. 
Mr. Perelman also is Chairman of the Board of Andrews Group Incorporated 
("Andrews Group"), Mafco Consolidated Group, Meridian Sports Incorporated 
("Meridian Sports"), Power Control Technologies Inc. ("PCT") and Toy Biz, 
Inc. ("Toy Biz") and is the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Boards 
of Directors of Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc. ("Marvel"), Revlon Consumer 
Products Corporation ("Revlon Products") and Revlon, Inc. ("Revlon"). Mr. 
Perelman is a Director of the following corporations which file reports 
pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange 
Act"): Andrews Group, California Federal Bank, a Federal Savings Bank 
("California Federal"), The Coleman Company, Inc. ("Coleman"), Coleman 
Holdings Inc. ("Coleman Holdings"), Coleman Worldwide Corporation ("Coleman 
Worldwide"), First Nationwide Holdings, Inc. ("First Nationwide"), First 
Nationwide (Parent) Holdings Inc. ("First Nationwide Parent"), Mafco 
Consolidated Group, Marvel, Marvel Holdings Inc. ("Marvel Hold- 
    

                               39           
<PAGE>
ings"), Marvel (Parent) Holdings Inc. ("Marvel Parent"), Marvel III Holdings 
Inc. ("Marvel III"), Meridian Sports, PCT, Pneumo Abex Corporation ("Pneumo 
Abex"), successor by merger to Mafco Worldwide Corporation ("Mafco 
Worldwide"), Revlon, Revlon Products, Revlon Worldwide Corporation ("Revlon 
Worldwide") and Toy Biz. (On December 27, 1996, Marvel Holdings, Marvel 
Parent, Marvel III and Marvel and several of its subsidiaries filed voluntary 
petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy 
Code.) 

   Mr. Gittis has been a Director of the Company and Consolidated Cigar since 
1993 and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company and 
Consolidated Cigar since July 1996. Mr. Gittis has been Vice Chairman and a 
Director of MacAndrews & Forbes and various of its affiliates since 1985. Mr. 
Gittis is a Director of the following corporations which file reports 
pursuant to the Exchange Act: Andrews Group, California Federal, First 
Nationwide, First Nationwide Parent, Jones Apparel Group, Inc., Loral Space & 
Communications Ltd., Mafco Consolidated Group, PCT, Pneumo Abex, Revlon, 
Revlon Products, Revlon Worldwide and Rutherford-Moran Oil Corporation. 

   
   Mr. Drapkin has been a Director of the Company and Consolidated Cigar 
since August 1996. Mr. Drapkin has been Vice Chairman and a Director of 
MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings and various of its affiliates since March 1987. 
Mr. Drapkin was a partner in the law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & 
Flom LLP for more than five years prior to March 1987. Mr. Drapkin is a 
Director of the following corporations which file reports pursuant to the 
Exchange Act: Algos Pharmaceutical Corporation, Andrews Group, Coleman, 
Coleman Holdings, Coleman Worldwide, Marvel, Marvel Holdings, Marvel Parent, 
Marvel III, Revlon, Revlon Products, Revlon Worldwide, Toy Biz and VIMRx 
Pharmaceuticals Inc. (On December 27, 1996, Marvel Holdings, Marvel Parent, 
Marvel III and Marvel and several of its subsidiaries filed voluntary 
petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy 
Code.) 
    

   Mr. Folz has been President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of the 
Company and Consolidated Cigar since June 1996 and August 1984, respectively. 
Mr. Folz has been a Director and President and Chief Executive Officer of the 
Tobacco Products Group of Mafco Consolidated Group since June 1995 and Vice 
Chairman, Director and Chief Executive Officer of Pneumo Abex, successor by 
merger to Mafco Worldwide, since January 1995. Mr. Folz is a Director of PCT, 
which files reports pursuant to the Exchange Act. 

   
   Mr. Iacocca has been a director of the Company since October 1996. Mr. 
Iacocca was elected a Director and President of Chrysler Corporation in 
November 1978 and served as Chairman of the Board from September 1979 until 
his retirement in December 1992. Mr. Iacocca was employed by Ford Motor 
Company from 1946 to October 1978. After serving in various field and 
executive positions, he was elected a Director of Ford Motor Company in 1965 
and President in 1970 and served in those capacities until October 1978. Mr. 
Iacocca is Chairman Emeritus of the Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island 
Foundation, Inc., Chairman of the Committee for Corporate Support for the 
Joslin Diabetes Foundation and founder and Chairman of the Advisory Board of 
the Iacocca Institute of Lehigh University. 

   Mr. Shriver has been a Director of the Company since January 1997. Mr. 
Shriver is President of RSS Inc. and was President of Special Olympic 
Productions, Inc. for more than five years prior thereto. Mr. Shriver also is 
a Director of MK Gold Company, which files reports pursuant to the Exchange 
Act. 
    

   Mr. Schwartz has been Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the 
Company since January 1993. He has been Executive Vice President and General 
Counsel of MacAndrews & Forbes and various of its affiliates since 1993. Mr. 
Schwartz was Senior Vice President of MacAndrews & Forbes from 1989 to 1993. 
(On December 27, 1996, Marvel Holdings, Marvel Parent and Marvel III and 
several of its subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions for reorganization 
under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code.) 

   Mr. Ellis has been Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and 
Treasurer of the Company since June 1996 and Senior Vice President, Chief 
Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer of Consolidated Cigar since 
November 1988. Mr. Ellis has been Senior Vice President and Chief Financial 

                               40           
<PAGE>
Officer of the Tobacco Products Group of Mafco Consolidated Group since June 
1995. From 1987 to 1988 Mr. Ellis was the Executive Vice President, Chief 
Financial Officer and Treasurer of Brooks Drug, Inc. and from 1985 to 1987 he 
was the Vice President and Controller of MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings. 

   Mr. Parnofiello has been Vice President and Controller of the Company 
since June 1996. Mr. Parnofiello has been Vice President of Consolidated 
Cigar since January 1996 and Controller of Consolidated Cigar since September 
1989. Mr. Parnofiello was Assistant Controller of Consolidated Cigar from 
March 1989 to September 1989. 

   Mr. DiMeola has been Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer 
of Consolidated Cigar since November 1988. Mr. DiMeola joined Consolidated 
Cigar in January 1985 as President of the Premium Products Division. 

   Mr. Colucci has been Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing of 
Consolidated Cigar since November 1988. Mr. Colucci was Vice President of 
Sales and Marketing of Consolidated Cigar from 1985 to 1988. From 1982 to 
1985, Mr. Colucci was Senior Vice President and General Manager of Design 
Wire, Inc. (a company selling wire racks to supermarkets). Prior to 1985, for 
eight years, Mr. Colucci held various sales and marketing positions with 
Consolidated Cigar. 

   Mr. Gershel has been Senior Vice President--Tobacco of Consolidated Cigar 
since June 1977. Mr. Gershel joined Consolidated Cigar in 1961. 

   Mr. McQuillen has been Senior Vice President of Manufacturing of 
Consolidated Cigar since December 1985. Mr. McQuillen joined Consolidated 
Cigar in 1981. 

COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

   
   The Company has established an Executive Committee consisting of Messrs. 
Perelman, Gittis and Folz, a Compensation Committee consisting of Messrs. 
Gittis and Drapkin and an Audit Committee consisting of Mr. Shriver. 
    

   The Executive Committee has all powers and rights necessary to exercise 
the full authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the 
business and affairs of the Company when necessary in between meetings of the 
Board of Directors. 

   The Compensation Committee has the responsibility of reviewing the 
performance of the executive officers of the Company and recommending to the 
Board of Directors of the Company annual salary and bonus amounts for all 
officers of the Company. The Compensation Committee shall consist of at least 
two Directors who are "outside directors" within the meaning of Section 
162(m) of the Code. 

   
   The Audit Committee has the responsibility of reviewing and supervising 
the financial controls of the Company. The Audit Committee's responsibilities 
include (i) making recommendations to the Board of Directors of the Company 
with respect to the Company's financial statements and the appointment of 
independent auditors, (ii) reviewing significant audit and accounting 
policies and practices of the Company, (iii) meeting with the Company's 
independent public accountants concerning, among other things, the scope of 
audits and reports and (iv) reviewing the performance of overall accounting 
and financial controls of the Company. 
    

COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS 

   Directors who do not receive compensation as officers or employees of the 
Company or any of its affiliates will be paid an annual retainer fee of 
$25,000 and a fee of $1,000 for each meeting of the Board of Directors or any 
committee thereof they attend, plus reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. 

   
   In connection with the IPO, the Company granted options to purchase shares 
of Class A Common Stock to Mr. Perelman in his capacity as Chairman of the 
Board of Directors. See "Certain Relationships and Related 
Transactions--Relationship with Mafco Consolidated Group." 
    

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION 

   The Company, as a holding company with no business operations of its own, 
conducts its business through Consolidated Cigar. The executive officers of 
the Company receive no compensation for their 

                               41           
<PAGE>
   
services to the Company. Accordingly, the following table presents certain 
information concerning compensation paid or accrued for services rendered to 
Consolidated Cigar in all capacities during the three years ended December 
31, 1996 for the Chief Executive Officer and the four other most highly 
compensated executive officers of Consolidated Cigar whose total annual 
salary and bonus in the last fiscal year exceeded $100,000 (collectively, the 
"Named Executive Officers"). 
    

                          SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE 

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    ANNUAL COMPENSATION 
                                                 ------------------------    OTHER ANNUAL      ALL OTHER 
                                           YEAR     SALARY       BONUS       COMPENSATION   COMPENSATION(a) 
                                         ------  ----------  ------------  --------------  --------------- 
<S>                                      <C>     <C>         <C>           <C>             <C>            
Theo W. Folz 
 President and Chief Executive Officer     1996    $770,000    $1,155,000     $51,243(b)        $3,000 
                                           1995     700,000       700,000            --          3,000 
                                           1994     675,000       400,000            --          3,000 
Richard L. DiMeola 
 Executive Vice President and Chief 
 Operating Officer .....................   1996    $275,000    $  412,500            --         $3,000 
                                           1995     260,000       260,000            --          3,000 
                                           1994     245,000       120,000            --          3,000 
Gary R. Ellis 
 Senior Vice President, Chief Financial 
 Officer, Secretary and Treasurer  .....   1996    $217,500    $  326,250            --         $3,000 
                                           1995     200,000       200,000            --          3,000 
                                           1994     185,000       100,000            --          3,000 
James L. Colucci 
 Senior Vice President of Sales and 
 Marketing .............................   1996    $217,500    $  326,250            --         $3,000 
                                           1995     200,000       200,000            --          3,000 
                                           1994     185,000       100,000            --          3,000 
George F. Gershel, Jr. 
 Senior Vice President Tobacco .........   1996    $247,500    $  297,000            --         $3,000 
                                           1995     230,000       170,000            --          3,000 
                                           1994     214,000        75,000            --          3,000 
</TABLE>
    

- ------------ 

   
   (a) Represents the Company's contribution to the employee's account under 
       Consolidated Cigar's 401(k) plan. 

   (b) Represents perquisites and other personal benefits, which, in total, 
       are valued in excess of $50,000 of which $39,046 was related to the 
       personal use of a company automobile. 
    

                               42           
<PAGE>
   
   The following table provides information on stock option grants during 
1996 to each of the Named Executive Officers. 


                    OPTION/SAR GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR 
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              INDIVIDUAL GRANTS 
                         --------------------------------------------------------- 
                           NUMBER OF      % OF TOTAL 
                           SECURITIES      OPTIONS 
                           UNDERLYING     GRANTED TO     EXERCISE OR                   GRANT DATE 
                            OPTIONS      EMPLOYEES IN    BASE PRICE     EXPIRATION       PRESENT 
          NAME             GRANTED(1)    FISCAL YEAR     (PER SHARE)       DATE         VALUE(2) 
- -----------------------  ------------  --------------  -------------  ------------  --------------- 
<S>                      <C>           <C>             <C>            <C>           <C>
Theo W. Folz ...........    250,000          20.2%         $23.00        8/15/06       $4,203,000 
Richard L. DiMeola  ....     55,000           4.4%          23.00        8/15/06          924,550 
Gary R. Ellis ..........     50,000           4.0%          23.00        8/15/06          840,500 
James L. Colucci .......     50,000           4.0%          23.00        8/15/06          840,500 
George F. Gershel, Jr.       50,000           4.0%          23.00        8/15/06          840,500 
</TABLE>
    

- ------------ 

   
   (1) All options were granted on August 15, 1996 at an exercise price equal 
       to $23.00 per share. The options vest one third each year beginning on 
       the first anniversary of the date of grant and become 100% vested on 
       the third anniversary of the date of grant. 

   (2) The present value of the options are based on the Black-Scholes option 
       pricing model using the following assumptions: (i) stock price 
       volatility of 90%, (ii) a risk-free rate of 6.13%, (iii) a dividend
       yield of 0%, (iv) an exercise price equal to the fair market value of
       the Common Stock on the date of grant, (v) an expected life of 5 years
       and (vi) no discounts for forfeiture or nontransferability. 

   The following table presents the value at December 31, 1996 of unexercised 
in-the-money options held by each of the Named Executive Officers. 

         AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR-END AND 
                        FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES 
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        NUMBER OF 
                                                        SECURITIES       VALUE OF 
                                                        UNDERLYING     UNEXERCISED 
                                                       UNEXERCISED     IN-THE-MONEY 
                                                        OPTIONS AT      OPTIONS AT 
                            NUMBER OF                     FY-END         FY-END* 
                         SHARES ACQUIRED    VALUE    EXERCISABLE(E)/ EXERCISABLE(E)/ 
          NAME             ON EXERCISE     REALIZED UNEXERCISABLE(U) UNEXERCISABLE(U) 
- ----------------------  ---------------  ----------  --------------  -------------- 
<S>                     <C>              <C>        <C>              <C>
Theo W. Folz ..........         0             $0               0(E)      $      0(E) 
                                                         250,000(U)       437,500(U) 
Richard L. DiMeola  ...         0              0               0(E)             0(E) 
                                                          55,000(U)        96,250(U) 
Gary R. Ellis .........         0              0               0(E)             0(E) 
                                                          50,000(U)        87,500(U) 
James L. Colucci ......         0              0               0(E)             0(E) 
                                                          50,000(U)        87,500(U) 
George F. Gershel, Jr.          0              0               0(E)             0(E) 
                                                          50,000(U)        87,500(U) 
</TABLE>
    

   
- ------------ 

   *   Based on the closing price of Class A Common Stock on the NYSE on 
       December 31, 1996 of $24 3/4 per share. 
    

                               43           
<PAGE>
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS 

   
   Mafco Consolidated Group entered into an employment agreement (the "MCG 
Employment Agreement") with Mr. Folz with respect to an employment term 
commencing on July 1, 1995 and ending on December 31, 1998 unless sooner 
terminated by Mr. Folz's death, disability, gross neglect or willful 
misconduct (in which case Mafco Consolidated Group may terminate Mr. Folz's 
employment immediately upon written notice), or breach by Mafco Consolidated 
Group of the agreement. In the event of Mr. Folz's death or disability, a 
pro-rated performance bonus and 60% of his base compensation is to be paid to 
Mr. Folz or his beneficiaries, as the case may be, for the longer of the 
remaining term of the agreement or twelve months. In the event that Mafco 
Consolidated Group breaches the MCG Employment Agreement, Mr. Folz is 
entitled to terminate his employment under the agreement; in that event, a 
pro-rated performance bonus and the remaining base compensation specified in 
the agreement is to be paid to Mr. Folz offset by any other compensation Mr. 
Folz receives during this period, and Mr. Folz is entitled to group life, 
health and pension plan coverage, for the remaining term of the agreement or, 
if longer and if no non-renewal notice has been given by Consolidated Cigar 
prior to that time, twelve months. Until August 1, 1996, Mr. Folz served the 
Company and Consolidated Cigar pursuant to the MCG Employment Agreement. The 
MCG Employment Agreement also provides for a performance bonus under the 
Tobacco Products Group Performance Bonus Plan based on achievement of certain 
EBITDA targets. As of August 1, 1996, for the services to be rendered by Mr. 
Folz to the Company and Consolidated Cigar, Consolidated Cigar has assumed 
the obligations of Mafco Consolidated Group under the MCG Employment 
Agreement with respect to a portion of the base salary and employee benefits 
to be provided to Mr. Folz under the MCG Employment Agreement and, 
simultaneously therewith, has entered into a new employment agreement with 
Mr. Folz memorializing such assumption and expiring on December 31, 1999. 
After December 31, 1998, Consolidated Cigar may give notice of non-renewal, 
in which case the term of the agreement will be extended for a period of 
twelve months following such notice. From and after January 1, 2000, the term 
will be automatically extended day-by-day until Consolidated Cigar gives 
notice of non-renewal, in which case the term will be extended for a period 
of twelve months. Consolidated Cigar has assumed 70% of the obligations of 
Mafco Consolidated Group under the MCG Employment Agreement with respect to 
any payments or benefits payable upon Mr. Folz's severance, death or 
disability. The employment agreement provides for an initial annual base 
salary of $770,000. In addition, subject to approval by stockholders, Mr. 
Folz is eligible to receive annual performance bonus payments, subject to an 
annual maximum of $2 million, based on achievement by Consolidated Cigar of 
certain EBITDA targets, which bonus payments shall be made pursuant to the 
Consolidated Cigar Performance Bonus Plan, as set forth in his employment 
agreement. See "--Consolidated Cigar Performance Bonus Plan." 

   On August 1, 1996, Consolidated Cigar entered into an employment agreement 
with each of Messrs. DiMeola, Ellis, Colucci and Gershel, each of which 
expires on December 31, 1999, unless sooner terminated by the employee's 
death, disability (in which case Consolidated Cigar may elect to terminate 
the employment agreement), gross neglect or willful misconduct (in which case 
Consolidated Cigar may terminate the employment agreement immediately upon 
written notice), the employee's willful and material failure to perform his 
contractual obligations or by Consolidated Cigar's material breach of the 
agreement. After December 31, 1998, Consolidated Cigar may give notice of 
non-renewal, in which case the term of the agreement will be extended for a 
period of twelve months following such notice. From and after January 1, 
2000, the term will be automatically extended day-by-day until Consolidated 
Cigar gives notice of non-renewal, in which case the term will be extended 
for a period of twelve months. In the event of Consolidated Cigar's breach, 
the employee is entitled to terminate the employment agreement; in that 
event, base salary, performance bonuses and benefits are to be paid to the 
employee for the remaining term of the employment agreement or, if longer and 
if no non-renewal notice has been given by Consolidated Cigar prior to that 
time, twelve months, offset by any other compensation the employee receives 
during this period. The employment agreements provide for initial annual base 
salaries of $275,000 for Mr. DiMeola, $217,500 for each of Messrs. Ellis and 
Colucci and $247,500 for Mr. Gershel. The employment agreements also provide, 
subject to approval by stockholders, for annual performance bonus payments, 
subject to an annual maximum of $1 million, based on achievement by 
Consolidated Cigar of certain EBITDA targets, which bonus payments shall be 
made pursuant to the Consolidated Cigar Performance Bonus Plan, as set forth 
in the employment agreements. 
    

                               44           
<PAGE>
   
CONSOLIDATED CIGAR PERFORMANCE BONUS PLAN 

   Consolidated Cigar has entered into employment agreements with certain 
employees, including Messrs. Folz, DiMeola, Ellis, Colucci and Gershel, each 
of which provides, among other things, for payment of performance bonuses 
(the "Consolidated Cigar Performance Bonus Plan"), subject to stockholder 
approval. Compensation payable under the Consolidated Cigar Performance Bonus 
Plan is intended to qualify as "performance based compensation" under Section 
162(m) of the Code. Under the Consolidated Cigar Performance Bonus Plan, the 
participants are eligible to receive annual performance bonus cash awards 
based on achievement of EBITDA targets established by the Compensation 
Committee and set forth in their respective employment agreements with 
respect to each calendar year. The payments under the Consolidated Cigar 
Performance Bonus Plan to any one individual during any calendar year may not 
exceed $2 million for the Chief Executive Officer and $1 million for each of 
the other participants. 
    

DEFINED BENEFIT PLAN 

   
   Domestic (United States) salaried employees of Consolidated Cigar are 
eligible to participate in the Consolidated Cigar Domestic Salaried 
Employees' Defined Benefit Plan, a defined benefit pension plan (the "Plan"), 
which, effective as of the end of 1995, was merged into a defined benefit 
pension plan sponsored by a subsidiary of Mafco Consolidated Group. The 
merger of the Plan did not change the level of pension benefits provided to 
Consolidated Cigar employees. Plan benefits are a factor of service (up to a 
maximum of 33 years) with Consolidated Cigar and "Average Final Compensation" 
(average monthly compensation during the 60 consecutive months in which 
compensation was highest in the ten years prior to termination of 
employment). Compensation includes total wages, overtime, bonuses and 401(k) 
salary deferrals, and excludes fringe benefits and employer contributions to 
other deferred compensation plans. Benefits in the Plan are reduced by (i) 
any annuity purchased under the Gulf Western Consumer Products Salaried 
Employees Retirement Plan (the "Gulf & Western Plan") as of March 8, 1983 and 
(ii) the actuarial equivalent of any Consolidated Cigar-provided benefits 
received under Consolidated Cigar's 401(k) plan. 
    

   Consolidated Cigar established a benefit restoration plan effective 
January 1, 1994 (the "BRP") which was designed to restore retirement benefits 
to those employees whose eligible pension earnings were limited to $150,000 
under regulations recently enacted by the Internal Revenue Service. The BRP 
is not funded and all other vesting and payment rules follow the Plan. 

   Beginning in 1996, the annual payment under the Plan and BRP, expressed as 
a straight life annuity, before adjustment for social security beginning at 
age 65 and before reduction for benefits payable under the Gulf & Western 
Plan or the Company's 401(k) plan, are as follows: 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        YEARS OF SERVICE 
                -------------------------------------------------------------- 
 REMUNERATION       5         10        15         20         25         35 
                --------  --------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 <S>            <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
    $ 50,000     $ 3,788   $ 7,575   $ 11,363   $ 15,150   $ 18,938   $ 25,000 
      75,000       5,681    11,363     17,044     22,725     28,406     37,500 
     100,000       7,575    15,150     22,725     30,300     37,875     50,000 
     125,000       9,469    18,938     28,406     37,875     47,344     62,500 
     150,000      11,363    22,725     34,088     45,450     56,813     75,000 
     175,000      13,256    26,513     39,769     53,025     66,281     87,500 
     200,000      15,150    30,300     45,450     60,600     75,750    100,000 
     225,000      17,044    34,088     51,131     68,175     85,219    112,500 
     250,000      18,938    37,875     56,813     75,750     94,688    125,000 
     300,000      22,725    45,450     68,175     90,900    113,625    150,000 
     400,000      30,300    60,600     90,900    121,200    151,500    200,000 
     450,000      34,088    68,175    102,263    136,350    170,438    225,000 
     500,000      37,875    75,750    113,625    151,500    189,375    250,000 
</TABLE>

                               45           
<PAGE>
   
   Benefits under the Plan are subject to the maximum limitations imposed by 
federal law on pension benefits. The annual limitation in 1996 was $120,000 
or $10,000 per month, based on a maximum annual compensation of $150,000. The 
maximum annual remuneration considered for purposes of the BRP was $500,000 
in 1996. 

   As of December 31, 1996, the credited years of service under the Plan were 
13 years for Mr. Folz, 12 years for Mr. DiMeola, eight years for Mr. Ellis, 
20 years for Mr. Colucci and 36 years for Mr. Gershel. 
    

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION 

   
   The Company and Consolidated Cigar did not have a Compensation Committee 
prior to the IPO. Officers' compensation prior to the IPO was determined by 
the Compensation Committee of Mafco Consolidated Group, comprised of Mr. 
Howard Gittis, Ms. Jewel S. Lafontant-Mankarious and Mr. Robert Sargent 
Shriver III. Following the IPO, the Compensation Committee of the Company was 
comprised of Messrs. Gittis and Drapkin. 
    

                               46           
<PAGE>
               SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL HOLDERS 

   
   The following table sets forth, as of February 14, 1997, adjusted to give 
effect to the Offerings (and assuming no exercise of the Underwriters' 
over-allotment options), the total number of shares of Common Stock 
beneficially owned, and the percent so owned, by (i) each Director of the 
Company, (ii) each Named Executive Officer, (iii) each person known to the 
Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class of 
outstanding Common Stock, (iv) the Selling Stockholder and (v) all directors 
and executive officers as a group. 
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               CLASS A COMMON STOCK          CLASS B COMMON STOCK 
                                          ----------------------------  ---------------------------- 
                                             NUMBER OF                     NUMBER OF 
                                               SHARES                        SHARES                      PERCENT OF 
NAME AND ADDRESS                            BENEFICIALLY    PERCENT OF    BENEFICIALLY    PERCENT OF    TOTAL VOTING 
OF BENEFICIAL OWNER                           OWNED(1)        CLASS          OWNED          CLASS          POWER 
- ----------------------------------------  --------------  ------------  --------------  ------------  -------------- 
<S>                                       <C>             <C>           <C>             <C>           <C>
Ronald O. Perelman(2)...................     19,600,000        63.9%       19,600,000        100%           94.7% 
 35 East 62nd Street 
 New York, New York 10021 
Morgan Stanley Group Inc. ..............        719,600         6.5%(3)            --         --              * 
 1585 Broadway 
 New York, New York 10036 
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc...........        646,400         5.8%(3)            --         --              * 
 100 E. Pratt Street 
 Baltimore, Maryland 21202 
Howard Gittis...........................          5,000          *                 --         --              * 
Donald G. Drapkin(4)....................          6,000          *                 --         --              * 
Theo W. Folz............................         50,000          *                 --         --              * 
Robert Sargent Shriver III..............         15,000          *                 --         --              * 
Barry F. Schwartz.......................          3,000          *                 --         --              * 
Gary R. Ellis...........................          4,000          *                 --         --              * 
Richard L. DiMeola .....................         10,000          *                 --         --              * 
James L. Colucci .......................          3,000          *                 --         --              * 
George F. Gershel, Jr. .................          1,000          *                 --         --              * 
All Directors and executive officers as 
 a group (12 persons)(5)................     19,698,000        64.2%       19,600,000        100%           94.7% 
</TABLE>
    

- ------------ 

    *  Less than 1%. 

   (1) Shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Class B 
       Common Stock owned by Mafco Consolidated Group are deemed to be 
       outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of Mr. 
       Perelman through Mafco Consolidated Group, but are not deemed to be 
       outstanding for the purposes of computing the percentage ownership of 
       any other person shown in the table. 

   (2) Represents shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon the conversion 
       of Class B Common Stock owned by Mafco Consolidated Group. Mafco 
       Holdings currently indirectly owns approximately 85% of the outstanding 
       shares of common stock of Mafco Consolidated Group. Mafco Holdings is 
       wholly owned by Mr. Perelman. All of the shares of common stock of 
       Mafco Consolidated Group owned by Mafco Holdings are, and shares of 
       intermediate holding companies are or may from time to time be, pledged 
       to secure obligations of Mafco Holdings or its affiliates. 

   
   (3) Reflects the percentage of shares of Class A Common Stock beneficially
       owned by such person. In each case, such person beneficially owns less
       than 3% of the outstanding Common Stock and less than 1% of the combined
       voting power of the outstanding Common Stock.

   (4) Represents shares held in trust for the benefit of Mr. Drapkin's 
       children for which Mr. Drapkin disclaims beneficial ownership. 

   (5) Mr. Iacocca, who is a Director of the Company, does not beneficially 
       own any shares of Common Stock. 
    

                               47           
<PAGE>
                CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS 

RELATIONSHIP WITH MAFCO CONSOLIDATED GROUP AND MAFCO HOLDINGS 

   As a result of Mafco Consolidated Group's stock ownership, the Company's 
Board of Directors is, and is expected to continue to be, comprised entirely 
of designees of Mafco Consolidated Group, and Mafco Consolidated Group is, 
and is expected to continue to be, able to direct and control the policies of 
the Company and its subsidiaries, including with respect to mergers, sales of 
assets and similar transactions. 

   
   Mafco Consolidated Group is 85% owned through Mafco Holdings by Ronald O. 
Perelman, who is Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company. Mafco 
Holdings is a diversified holding company with interests in several 
industries. Through its 80% ownership of the Company, Mafco Holdings is 
engaged in the manufacture and distribution of cigars and pipe tobacco and, 
through its 36% ownership, on a fully diluted basis, of PCT, Mafco Holdings 
is engaged in the processing of licorice and other flavors. Mafco Holdings is 
engaged in the cosmetics and skin care, fragrance and personal care products 
business through its 83% ownership of Revlon. Mafco Holdings owns 83% of 
Coleman, which is engaged in the manufacture and marketing of recreational 
outdoor products, portable generators, power-washing equipment, spas and hot 
tubs and 65% of Meridian Sports, a manufacturer and marketer of specialized 
boats and water sports equipment. Marvel, a youth entertainment company, is 
80% owned by Mafco Holdings. Mafco Holdings is also engaged in the financial 
services business through its 80% ownership of First Nationwide. The 
principal executive offices of Mafco Holdings are located at 35 East 62nd 
Street, New York, New York 10021. 
    

   The Company is insured under policies maintained by Mafco Holdings, and 
the Company reimburses Mafco Holdings for the portion of the cost of such 
policies attributable to the Company. Management of the Company believes that 
such cost is lower than would be incurred were such entities to be separately 
insured. In addition, the Company reimburses Mafco Holdings for the Company's 
allocable portion of certain costs such as legal, accounting and other 
professional fees and other services and related expenses. 

   
   In connection with the IPO, the Company granted options to purchase 
500,000 shares of Class A Common Stock to Mr. Perelman as compensation for 
services rendered and to be rendered to the Company by Mr. Perelman in his 
capacity as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Such options were granted 
pursuant to the Stock Plan at an exercise price equal to $23.00 per share. 
The options vest one third each year beginning on the first anniversary of 
the date of grant. 
    

TAX SHARING AGREEMENT 

   
   The Company, Consolidated Cigar and Mafco Consolidated Group have been, 
for federal income tax purposes, members of an affiliated group of 
corporations of which Mafco Holdings is the common parent (the "Tax Group"). 
As a result of such affiliation, the Company, Consolidated Cigar, and Mafco 
Consolidated Group have been included in the consolidated federal income tax 
returns and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, included in combined 
state or local income tax returns filed on behalf of the Tax Group. Pursuant 
to a tax sharing agreement among the Company, Consolidated Cigar, and Mafco 
Consolidated Group and a tax sharing agreement between Mafco Consolidated 
Group and Mafco Holdings (collectively, the "Tax Sharing Agreements"), the 
Company has been required to pay to Mafco Consolidated Group with respect to 
each taxable year an amount equal to the consolidated federal, state and 
local income taxes that would have been incurred by the Company had it not 
been included in the consolidated federal and any combined state or local 
income tax returns filed by the Tax Group. The net amounts paid by 
Consolidated Cigar, through the Company, during the years ended December 31, 
1994, 1995 and 1996 were approximately $0.4 million, $0.4 million and $9.8 
million, respectively. 
    

   Upon completion of the Offerings, the Company will no longer be included 
in the Tax Group's consolidated tax returns and will, instead, file its own 
tax returns and pay its own taxes on a separate company basis. The Company 
has Pre-Acquisition net operating losses of approximately $15 million which, 
pursuant to the Tax Sharing Agreements, were not available to the Company to 
offset taxable 

                               48           
<PAGE>
income generated in the Post-Acquisition period. Upon completion of the 
Offerings, the Pre-Acquisition net operating losses that were previously 
restricted, pursuant to the Tax Sharing Agreements, will be available to the 
extent that the loss carryforwards are not utilized in a Mafco Holding's 
consolidated tax return. Since these losses relate to the Pre-Acquisition 
period, a deferred tax asset will be recorded with a corresponding reduction 
in goodwill. 

   
   In addition, the Company incurred tax losses in the Post-Acquisition 
period which the Company utilized under the Tax Sharing Agreements. Upon 
completion of the Offerings, a portion of these losses may be allocated to 
the Company pursuant to the consolidated return regulation 1.1502-79 of the 
Code. This tax attribute will be recorded as a deferred tax asset with a 
corresponding decrease to capital deficiency. 
    

   Under existing federal income tax regulations the Company, Consolidated 
Cigar and Mafco Consolidated Group are severally liable for the consolidated 
federal income taxes of the Tax Group for any taxable year in which they are 
a member of the Tax Group. Pursuant to the Tax Sharing Agreements, Mafco 
Holdings has agreed to indemnify the Company and Consolidated Cigar for any 
such federal income tax liability. 

PROMISSORY NOTE 

   
   In connection with the IPO, the Company issued the Promissory Note in an 
original principal amount of $70 million to Mafco Consolidated Group as a 
dividend. The Promissory Note is noninterest bearing, unsecured, subordinated 
to senior indebtedness (as defined in the Promissory Note) and repayable in 
whole or in part at any time or from time to time without premium or penalty. 
The Promissory Note is payable in quarterly installments of $2.5 million 
beginning March 31, 1997 with the final installment payable on December 31, 
2003. See "Description of Certain Indebtedness." 
    

PURCHASE OF LICORICE EXTRACT 

   
   The Company purchases all of the licorice extract used as flavoring and 
moistening agents in its manufacturing processes from Mafco Worldwide, 
formerly an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Mafco Consolidated Group. 
During the years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996, the Company 
purchased approximately $265,000, $269,000 and $211,000 of licorice extract 
from Pneumo Abex (successor by merger to Mafco Worldwide). The Company 
believes that the licorice extract purchased from Pneumo Abex was purchased 
on terms no less favorable to the Company than those obtainable in an arm's 
length transaction with an independent third party. 
    

SPECIALTY PRODUCTS DIVISION 

   
   The Company's Specialty Products Division assembles lipstick containers 
for Revlon Products, an 83% owned subsidiary of Mafco Holdings. Revlon 
Products purchased lipstick containers from the Company for approximately 
$763,000, $874,000 and $958,000 for the years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 
and 1996, respectively. The Company believes that the terms of such 
arrangements with Revlon Products were no less favorable to the Company than 
those obtainable in an arm's length transaction with an independent third 
party. 
    

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT 

   Prior to the consummation of the IPO, the Company and Mafco Consolidated 
Group entered into the Registration Rights Agreement pursuant to which Mafco 
Consolidated Group and certain transferees of Class B Common Stock held by 
Mafco Consolidated Group (the "Holders") have the right to require the 
Company to register (a "Demand Registration") under the Securities Act of 
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), all or part of the Class A Common 
Stock issuable upon conversion of the Class B Common Stock owned by such 
Holders, including the shares being offered hereby; provided that the Company 
(i) is not obligated to effect a Demand Registration prior to February 11, 
1997, unless Goldman, Sachs & Co. has given its consent and (ii) may postpone 
giving effect to a Demand Registration for up to a period of 30 days if the 
Company believes such registration might have a material adverse effect on 
any plan or proposal by the Company with respect to any financing, 
acquisition, 

                               49           
<PAGE>
recapitalization, reorganization or other material transaction, or the 
Company is in possession of material non-public information that, if publicly 
disclosed, could result in a material disruption of a major corporate 
development or transaction then pending or in progress or in other material 
adverse consequences to the Company. Mafco Consolidated Group has obtained 
the consent of Goldman, Sachs & Co. with respect to the registration of the 
shares being offered hereby. In addition, the Holders will have the right to 
participate in registrations by the Company of its Class A Common Stock (a 
"Piggyback Registration"). The Company will pay any expenses incurred in 
connection with any Demand Registration or Piggyback Registration, except for 
underwriting discounts, commissions and certain expenses attributable to the 
shares of Class A Common Stock sold by such Holders. 

                               50           
<PAGE>
                         DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK 

   The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 300,000,000 shares 
of Class A Common Stock, 250,000,000 shares of Class B Common Stock and 
20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (the 
"Preferred Stock"). The following summary description of the capital stock of 
the Company is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of Amended 
and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (the "Certificate") 
and Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Company (the "By-Laws"), a copy of 
each of which is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (as 
defined herein) of which this Prospectus forms a part. 

CLASS A COMMON STOCK AND CLASS B COMMON STOCK 

   The Certificate provides for two classes of common stock, Class A Common 
Stock and Class B Common Stock, the two classes of which are substantially 
identical, except for disparity in voting power. See "Risk Factors--Control 
by Mafco Consolidated Group." 

   Each share of Class A Common Stock entitles the holder of record to one 
vote and each share of Class B Common Stock entitles the holder of record to 
ten votes at each annual or special meeting of stockholders, in the case of 
any written consent of stockholders, and for all other purposes. The holders 
of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock will vote as a single class 
on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders, except as otherwise 
provided by law. Neither the holders of Class A Common Stock nor the holders 
of Class B Common Stock have cumulative voting or preemptive rights. The 
Company may, as a condition to counting the votes cast by any holder of Class 
B Common Stock at any annual or special meeting of stockholders, in the case 
of any written consent of stockholders, or for any other purpose, require the 
furnishing of such affidavits or other proof as it may reasonably request to 
establish that the Class B Common Stock held by such holder has not, by 
virtue of the provisions of the Certificate, been converted into Class A 
Common Stock. 

   The holders of the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock will be 
entitled to receive dividends and other distributions as may be declared 
thereon by the Board of Directors of the Company out of assets or funds of 
the Company legally available therefor, subject to the rights of the holders 
of any series of Preferred Stock and any other provision of the Certificate. 
The Certificate provides that if at any time a dividend or other distribution 
in cash or other property is paid on Class A Common Stock or Class B Common 
Stock, a like dividend or other distribution in cash or other property will 
also be paid on Class B Common Stock or Class A Common Stock, as the case may 
be, in an equal amount of shares. The Certificate provides that if shares of 
Class A Common Stock are paid on Class A Common Stock and shares of Class B 
Common Stock are paid on Class B Common Stock, in an equal amount per share 
of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, such payment will be deemed 
to be a like dividend or other distribution. In the case of any split, 
subdivision, combination or reclassification of Class A Common Stock or Class 
B Common Stock, the shares of Class B Common Stock or Class A Common Stock, 
as the case may be, will also be split, subdivided, combined or reclassified 
so that the number of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock 
outstanding immediately following such split, subdivision, combination or 
reclassification will bear the same relationship to each other as that which 
existed immediately prior thereto. 

   In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, 
the holders of Class A Common Stock and the holders of Class B Common Stock 
will be entitled to receive the assets and funds of the Company available for 
distribution after payments to creditors and to the holders of any Preferred 
Stock of the Company that may at the time be outstanding, in proportion to 
the number of shares held by them, respectively, without regard to class. 

   In the event of any corporate merger, consolidation, purchase or 
acquisition of property or stock, or other reorganization in which any 
consideration is to be received by the holders of Class A Common Stock or the 
holders of Class B Common Stock, the holders of Class A Common Stock and the 
holders of Class B Common Stock will receive the same consideration on a per 
share basis; except that, if such consideration shall consist in any part of 
voting securities (or of options or warrants to purchase, or of securities 
convertible into or exchangeable for, voting securities), the holders of 
Class B Common Stock 

                               51           
<PAGE>
may receive, on a per share basis, voting securities with ten times the 
number of votes per share as those voting securities to be received by the 
holders of Class A Common Stock (or options or warrants to purchase, or 
securities convertible into or exchangeable for, voting securities with ten 
times the number of votes per share as those voting securities issuable upon 
exercise of the options or warrants, or into which the convertible or 
exchangeable securities may be converted or exchanged, received by the 
holders of Class A Common Stock). 

   The Certificate provides that no person holding record or beneficial 
ownership of shares of Class B Common Stock (a "Class B Holder") may transfer 
(as defined in the Certificate), and the Company will not register the 
transfer of, such shares of Class B Common Stock, except to a Permitted 
Transferee. A Permitted Transferee generally means an affiliate of the Class 
B Holder. In certain circumstances set forth in the Certificate, the change 
in ownership or control of a record or beneficial holder of Class B Common 
Stock will also result in the conversion of such holder's Class B Common 
Stock into Class A Common Stock. The Certificate also provides that the 
Company will not register the transfer of any shares of Class B Common Stock 
unless the transferee and the transferor of such Class B Common Stock have 
furnished such affidavits and other proof as the Company may reasonably 
request to establish that such proposed transferee is a Permitted Transferee. 
In addition, upon any purported transfer of shares of Class B Common Stock 
not permitted under the Certificate, all shares of Class B Common Stock 
purported to be so transferred will be deemed to be converted into shares of 
Class A Common Stock, and stock certificates formerly representing such 
shares of Class B Common Stock will thereupon and thereafter be deemed to 
represent such number of shares of Class A Common Stock as equals the number 
of shares of Class A Common Stock into which such shares of Class B Common 
Stock could be converted pursuant to the terms of the Certificate. 

   In the event that the number of shares of Class B Common Stock and Class A 
Common Stock held by the Class B Holders and their Permitted Transferees 
issued and outstanding at any time shall constitute less than ten percent of 
the total combined number of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B 
Common Stock of the Company, all shares of Class B Common Stock then issued 
and outstanding will be deemed to be converted into shares of Class A Common 
Stock, and stock certificates formerly representing such shares of Class B 
Common Stock will thereupon and thereafter be deemed to represent such number 
of shares of Class A Common Stock as equals the number of shares of Class A 
Common Stock into which such shares of Class B Common Stock could be 
converted pursuant to the terms of the Certificate. 

   The Class A Common Stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol "CIG." 

PREFERRED STOCK 

   The Board of Directors, without further stockholder authorization, is 
authorized to issue, from time to time, Preferred Stock in one or more 
series, to establish the number of shares to be included in any such series 
and to fix the designations, powers, preferences and rights of the shares of 
each such series and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, 
including dividend rights and preferences over dividends on the Common Stock, 
conversion rights, voting rights, redemption rights, the terms of any sinking 
fund therefor and rights upon liquidation. The ability of the Board of 
Directors of the Company to issue Preferred Stock, while providing 
flexibility in connection with financing, acquisitions and other corporate 
purposes, could have the effect of discouraging, deferring or preventing a 
change in control of the Company or an unsolicited acquisition proposal, 
since the issuance of Preferred Stock could be used to dilute the share 
ownership of a person or entity seeking to obtain control of the Company. In 
addition, because the Board of Directors of the Company has the power to 
establish the preferences, powers and rights of the shares of any such series 
of Preferred Stock, it may afford the holders of any Preferred Stock 
preferences, powers and rights (including voting rights) senior to the rights 
of the holders of Common Stock, which could adversely affect the rights of 
holders of Common Stock. 

SECTION 203 OF THE DELAWARE GENERAL CORPORATION LAW 

   Section 203 ("Section 203") of the General Corporation Law of the State of 
Delaware (the "DGCL") provides, in general, that a stockholder acquiring more 
than 15% of the outstanding voting stock of a 

                               52           
<PAGE>
corporation subject to Section 203 (an "Interested Stockholder") but less 
than 85% of such stock may not engage in certain Business Combinations (as 
defined in Section 203) with the corporation for a period of three years 
subsequent to the date on which the stockholder became an Interested 
Stockholder unless (i) prior to such date the corporation's board of 
directors approved either the Business Combination or the transaction in 
which the stockholder became an Interested Stockholder or (ii) the Business 
Combination is approved by the corporation's board of directors and 
authorized by a vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock of 
the corporation not owned by the Interested Stockholder. The Certificate 
contains a provision electing not to be governed by Section 203. 

LIMITATIONS ON DIRECTORS' LIABILITY 

   The Certificate contains a provision which eliminates the personal 
liability of a director to the Company and its stockholders for certain 
breaches of his or her fiduciary duty of care as a director. This provision 
does not, however, eliminate or limit the personal liability of a director 
(i) for any breach of such director's duty of loyalty to the Company or its 
stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve 
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Delaware 
statutory provisions making directors personally liable, under a negligence 
standard, for unlawful dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or 
redemptions, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an 
improper personal benefit. This provision offers persons who serve on the 
Board of Directors of the Company protection against awards of monetary 
damages resulting from breaches of their duty of care (except as indicated 
above), including grossly negligent business decisions made in connection 
with takeover proposals for the Company. As a result of this provision, the 
ability of the Company or a stockholder thereof to successfully prosecute an 
action against a director for a breach of his duty of care has been limited. 
However, the provision does not affect the availability of equitable remedies 
such as an injunction or recision based upon a director's breach of his duty 
of care. The Commission has taken the position that the provision will have 
no effect on claims arising under the federal securities laws. 

   In addition, the Certificate and By-Laws provide mandatory indemnification 
rights, subject to limited exceptions, to any person who was or is party or 
is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed 
action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that such person is or was a 
director or officer of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of 
the Company as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, 
joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise. Such 
indemnification rights include reimbursement for expenses incurred by such 
person in advance of the final disposition of such proceeding in accordance 
with the applicable provisions of the DGCL. 

TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR 

   
   American Stock Transfer & Trust Company is the transfer agent and 
registrar for the Common Stock. 
    

                               53           
<PAGE>
                       SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE 

   Immediately after consummation of the Offerings, the Company will have 
outstanding 11,075,000 shares of Class A Common Stock and 19,600,000 shares 
of Class B Common Stock, assuming no exercise of the over-allotment options 
granted to the Underwriters. Of these shares, 11,075,000 shares of Class A 
Common Stock (or a maximum of 11,825,000 shares if the Underwriter's 
over-allotment options are exercised in full) will be freely tradeable 
without restrictions or further registration under the Securities Act, unless 
purchased by "affiliates" of the Company (as that term is defined under the 
Securities Act). The remaining 19,600,000 shares of Class B Common Stock 
owned by Mafco Consolidated Group are, and the 19,600,000 shares of Class A 
Common Stock issuable upon conversion of such shares of Class B Common Stock 
will be, "restricted securities" as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities 
Act, and may not be sold in the absence of registration under the Securities 
Act other than pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act or another 
exemption from registration under the Securities Act. 

   
   In general, under Rule 144, as currently in effect, (i) a person (or 
persons whose shares are required to be aggregated) who has beneficially 
owned shares of Class A Common Stock as to which at least two years have 
elapsed since such shares were sold by the Company or by an affiliate of the 
Company in a transaction or chain of transactions not involving a public 
offering ("restricted securities") or (ii) an affiliate of the Company who 
holds shares of Class A Common Stock that are not restricted securities may 
sell, within any three-month period, a number of such shares that does not 
exceed the greater of 1% of the Company's Class A Common Stock then 
outstanding or the average weekly trading volume in the Class A Common Stock 
during the four calendar weeks preceding the date on which notice of such 
sale required under Rule 144 was filed. Sales under Rule 144 are also subject 
to certain provisions relating to the manner and notice of sale and 
availability of current public information about the Company. Affiliates of 
the Company must comply with the requirements of Rule 144, including the 
two-year holding period requirement, to sell shares of Class A Common Stock 
that are restricted securities. Furthermore, if a period of at least three 
years has elapsed from the date restricted securities were acquired from the 
Company or an affiliate of the Company, a holder of such restricted 
securities who is not an affiliate of the Company at the time of the sale and 
has not been an affiliate of the Company at any time during the three months 
prior to such sale would be entitled to sell such shares without regard to 
the volume limitation and other conditions described above. The Commission 
recently adopted amendments to Rule 144, which, among other things, will 
reduce the two and three year holding periods specified above to one and two 
years, respectively. 
    

   All shares of Class B Common Stock owned by Mafco Consolidated Group and 
all shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion of such shares of 
Class B Common Stock are eligible (subject to the lock-up arrangements 
described below) for sale in the public market pursuant to, and in accordance 
with the volume, manner of sale and other conditions of, Rule 144 described 
above. Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, Mafco Consolidated 
Group has the right to require the Company to register the shares of Class A 
Common Stock acquired upon conversion of its shares of Class B Common Stock 
to facilitate their possible sale. See "Certain Relationships and Related 
Transactions--Registration Rights Agreement." 

   
   In connection with the IPO, the Company and Mafco Consolidated Group 
agreed that, subject to certain exceptions, they would not offer, sell or 
otherwise dispose of any shares of Class A Common Stock or any security 
convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of Class A Common 
Stock prior to February 11, 1997, without the prior written consent of 
Goldman, Sachs & Co. on behalf of the Underwriters. Mafco Consolidated Group 
has obtained the consent of Goldman, Sachs & Co. with respect to the 
registration of the shares being offered hereby. In addition, in connection 
with the Offerings, the Company and Mafco Consolidated Group will enter into 
a similar lock-up arrangement for 90 days after consummation of the 
Offerings. See "Underwriting." 
    

   The shares of Class A Common Stock authorized for issuance pursuant to 
Awards that may be granted under the Stock Plan may be either authorized but 
unissued shares or treasury shares obtained by the Company through market or 
private purchases. See "Management--Stock Plan." The Company has registered 
under the Securities Act the shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon the 
exercise of options granted pursuant to the Stock Plan. 

                               54           
<PAGE>
   Although the Company can make no prediction as to the effect, if any, that 
sales of shares of Class A Common Stock by Mafco Consolidated Group would 
have on the market price prevailing from time to time, sales of substantial 
amounts of Class A Common Stock or the availability of such shares for sale 
could adversely affect prevailing market prices. See "Risk Factors--Possible 
Future Sales of Shares by Mafco Consolidated Group." 

                     DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN INDEBTEDNESS 

   Each of the following summaries of certain provisions of certain debt 
instruments of the Company does not purport to be complete and is subject to, 
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, all the provisions of such 
debt instruments. 

CREDIT AGREEMENT 

   
   The Credit Agreement entered into by Consolidated Cigar with The Chase 
Manhattan Bank (the "Bank") consists of the Revolving Credit Facility and the 
Working Capital Facility. The Revolving Credit Facility and the Working 
Capital Facility have final maturities in April 1999. The Credit Agreement is 
secured by first priority liens on all of the material assets of Consolidated 
Cigar and its domestic subsidiaries and pledges of the capital stock of all 
of Consolidated Cigar's subsidiaries (with certain exceptions for the capital 
stock of foreign subsidiaries). Consolidated Cigar's obligations under the 
Credit Agreement are guaranteed by the Company and by all of the domestic 
subsidiaries of Consolidated Cigar. The guarantee by the Company is secured 
by a pledge of all of the shares of common stock of Consolidated Cigar owned 
by the Company. 

   As of December 31, 1996, there was approximately $25.7 million unused and 
available under the Credit Agreement, after taking into account approximately 
$1.7 million utilized to support letters of credit. The Credit Agreement was 
amended on February 3, 1997 to reduce the amount of various interest rate 
margins charged against outstanding borrowings. As a result of such 
amendment, loans outstanding under the Credit Agreement bear interest, at 
Consolidated Cigar's option, at either (i) the Bank's base rate; (ii) the 
Bank's 30, 60, 90 or 180 day LIBOR rate plus 1.0% or (iii) with respect to 
loans to Consolidated Cigar's wholly owned subsidiary CIC, and subject to 
availability, the Bank's "936 Rate" plus 1.0%. 

   The Credit Agreement contains various restrictive covenants including, 
among other things, limitations on the ability of Consolidated Cigar and its 
subsidiaries to incur debt, create liens, pay dividends, sell assets and make 
investments, acquisitions and capital expenditures. In addition, the Credit 
Agreement requires Consolidated Cigar to maintain specified financial ratios 
and satisfy certain tests, including maximum leverage ratios and minimum 
interest coverage ratios. The Credit Agreement also contains customary events 
of default, including if Cigar Holdings were to own and control less than all 
of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Consolidated Cigar or if a 
"Change of Control" (as defined in the Senior Subordinated Notes Indenture) 
were to occur, and permits Consolidated Cigar to pay dividends and make 
distributions on terms substantially similar to those contained in the Senior 
Subordinated Notes Indenture. 
    

SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES 

   
   In February 1993, Consolidated Cigar sold $90 million aggregate principal 
amount of its Senior Subordinated Notes and as of December 31, 1996, $90 
million aggregate principal amount of Senior Subordinated Notes were 
outstanding. The Senior Subordinated Notes bear interest at the rate of 
10 1/2% per annum, payable semi-annually on March 1 and September 1. The 
Senior Subordinated Notes mature on March 1, 2003 and Consolidated Cigar 
is not required to make any sinking fund payments with respect to the Senior 
Subordinated Notes. The Senior Subordinated Notes are subordinate in right of 
payment to all senior debt of Consolidated Cigar, including the liabilities 
of Consolidated Cigar under the Credit Agreement, rank pari passu with all 
future senior subordinated debt of Consolidated Cigar and rank senior to all 
future subordinated debt of Consolidated Cigar. 
    

   The Senior Subordinated Notes are redeemable at the option of Consolidated 
Cigar, on and after March 1, 1998, in whole or in part, at the following 
redemption prices (expressed as percentages of the 

                               55           
<PAGE>
principal amount) for the 12 month period beginning each March 1: 
1998--103.00%; 1999--101.50%; and 2000 and thereafter--100%, plus, in each 
case, accrued and unpaid interest to the date fixed for redemption. In 
addition, the Senior Subordinated Notes are redeemable at any time upon a 
Change of Control (as defined in the Senior Subordinated Notes Indenture) at 
the redemption prices set forth in the Senior Subordinated Notes Indenture. 

   A "Change of Control" means (i) any person, other than Ronald O. Perelman 
or any person controlled, directly or indirectly, by Mr. Perelman (the 
"Permitted Holders"), is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or 
indirectly, of more than 35% of the total voting power of the voting stock of 
Consolidated Cigar and the Permitted Holders beneficially own, directly or 
indirectly, a lesser percentage of the total voting power of the voting stock 
of Consolidated Cigar than such other person or (ii) during any period of two 
consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period 
constituted the Board of Directors of Consolidated Cigar (together with any 
new directors whose election by such Board of Directors or whose nomination 
for election by the stockholders of Consolidated Cigar was approved by a vote 
of 66 2/3% of the directors of Consolidated Cigar then still in office who 
were either directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or 
nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to 
constitute a majority of the Board of Directors of Consolidated Cigar then in 
office. 

   The Senior Subordinated Notes Indenture contains certain covenants that, 
among other things, limit the issuance of additional debt and redeemable 
stock by Consolidated Cigar, the issuance of debt and preferred stock by 
Consolidated Cigar's subsidiaries, the payment of dividends on and redemption 
of capital stock of Consolidated Cigar and its subsidiaries and the 
redemption of certain subordinated obligations of Consolidated Cigar, the 
sale of assets and stock of Consolidated Cigar's subsidiaries, transactions 
with affiliates and consolidations, mergers and transfers of all or 
substantially all of Consolidated Cigar's assets. The Senior Subordinated 
Notes Indenture also prohibits certain restrictions on distributions from 
subsidiaries of Consolidated Cigar and contains customary events of default. 

   In addition, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined in the 
Senior Subordinated Notes Indenture), each holder of the Senior Subordinated 
Notes has the right, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions 
relating to Consolidated Cigar's bank indebtedness, to require Consolidated 
Cigar to repurchase such holder's Senior Subordinated Notes at 101% of the 
principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of 
purchase. 

PROMISSORY NOTE 

   
   In connection with the IPO, the Company issued the Promissory Note in an 
original principal amount of $70 million to Mafco Consolidated Group as a 
dividend. The Promissory Note is noninterest bearing, unsecured, subordinated 
to senior indebtedness (as defined in the Promissory Note) and repayable in 
whole or in part at any time or from time to time without premium or penalty. 
The Promissory Note is payable in quarterly installments of $2.5 million 
beginning March 31, 1997 with the final installment payable on December 31, 
2003. The failure by the Company to make any payment on the Promissory Note 
when due and the failure by the Company to cure such non-payment during the 
60-day period following such due date would result in an event of default 
thereunder, and Mafco Consolidated Group could declare all remaining amounts 
outstanding under the Promissory Note to be immediately due and payable. 
    

                               56           
<PAGE>
     CERTAIN UNITED STATES TAX CONSEQUENCES TO NON-UNITED STATES HOLDERS 

   The following is a general summary of certain United States federal income 
and estate tax consequences expected to result under current law from the 
purchase, ownership, sale or other taxable disposition of Class A Common 
Stock by any person or entity other than (a) a citizen or resident of the 
United States, (b) a corporation created or organized in or under the laws of 
the United States or of any state thereof, or (c) a person or entity 
otherwise subject to United States federal income taxation on income from 
sources outside the United States (a "non-U.S. Holder"). This summary does 
not address all United States federal income and estate tax considerations 
that may be relevant to non-U.S. Holders in light of their particular 
circumstances or to certain non-U.S. Holders that may be subject to special 
treatment under United States federal income tax laws. Furthermore, this 
summary does not discuss any aspects of foreign, state or local taxation. 
This summary is based on current provisions of the Code, existing, temporary 
and proposed regulations promulgated thereunder and administrative and 
judicial interpretations thereof, all of which are subject to change, 
possibly with retroactive effect. Each prospective purchaser of Class A 
Common Stock is advised to consult their tax advisor with respect to the tax 
consequences of acquiring, holding and disposing of Class A Common Stock. 

DIVIDENDS 

   Dividends paid to a non-U.S. Holder of Class A Common Stock generally will 
be subject to withholding of United States federal income tax at a 30% rate 
(or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty) 
unless the dividend is (i) effectively connected with the conduct of a trade 
or business of the non-U.S. Holder within the United States or (ii) if a tax 
treaty applies, is attributable to a United States permanent establishment of 
the non-U.S. Holder, in which case the dividend will be taxed at ordinary 
federal income tax rates. If the non-U.S. Holder is a corporation, such 
effectively connected income may also be subject to an additional "branch 
profits tax." A non-U.S. Holder may be required to satisfy certain 
certification requirements in order to claim treaty benefits or otherwise 
claim a reduction of, or exemption from, the withholding obligation pursuant 
to the above described rules. 

SALE OR OTHER DISPOSITION OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK 

   A non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to United States federal 
income tax in respect of any gain recognized on the sale or other taxable 
disposition of Class A Common Stock unless (i) the gain is effectively 
connected with a trade or business of the non-U.S. Holder in the United 
States; (ii) in the case of a non-U.S. Holder who is an individual and holds 
the Class A Common Stock as a capital asset, the holder is present in the 
United States for 183 or more days in the taxable year of the disposition and 
either (a) the individual has a "tax home" for United States federal income 
tax purposes in the United States or (b) the gain is attributable to an 
office or other fixed place of business maintained by the individual in the 
United States; (iii) the non-U.S. Holder is subject to tax pursuant to the 
provisions of United States federal income tax law applicable to certain 
United States expatriates; or (iv) (A) the Company is or has been during 
certain periods preceding the disposition a "U.S. real property holding 
corporation" for United States federal income tax purposes (which the Company 
does not believe it is or is likely to become) and, (B) assuming that the 
Class A Common Stock continues to be "regularly traded on an established 
securities market" for tax purposes, the non-U.S. Holder held, directly or 
indirectly, at any time during the five-year period ending on the date of 
disposition, more than 5% of the outstanding Class A Common Stock. 

BACKUP WITHHOLDING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS 

   DIVIDENDS. United States backup withholding tax will generally not apply 
to dividends paid on Class A Common Stock to a non-U.S. Holder at an address 
outside the United States. The Company must report annually to the Internal 
Revenue Service and to each non-U.S. Holder the amount of dividends paid to, 
and the tax withheld with respect to, such holder, regardless of whether any 
tax was actually withheld. This information may also be made available to the 
tax authorities in the non-U.S. Holder's country of residence. 

                               57           
<PAGE>
   SALE OR OTHER DISPOSITION OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK. Upon the sale or other 
taxable disposition of Class A Common Stock by a non-U.S. Holder to or 
through a United States office of a broker, the broker must backup withhold 
at a rate of 31% and report the sale to the Internal Revenue Service, unless 
the holder certifies its non-U.S. status under penalties of perjury or 
otherwise establishes an exemption. Upon the sale or other taxable 
disposition of Class A Common Stock by a non-U.S. Holder to or through the 
foreign office of a United States broker, or a foreign broker with certain 
types of relationships to the United States, the broker must report the sale 
to the Internal Revenue Service (but not backup withhold) unless the broker 
has documentary evidence in its files that the seller is a non-U.S. Holder 
and/or certain other conditions are met, or the holder otherwise establishes 
an exemption. 

   BACKUP WITHHOLDING IS NOT AN ADDITIONAL TAX. Amounts withheld under the 
backup withholding rules are generally allowable as a refund or credit 
against such non-U.S. Holder's United States federal income tax liability, if 
any, provided that the required information is furnished to the Internal 
Revenue Service. 

   PROPOSED REGULATIONS. On April 22, 1996, the Internal Revenue Service 
issued proposed regulations relating to withholding, backup withholding and 
information reporting that, if adopted in their current form, would, among 
other things, unify current certification procedures and forms and clarify 
reliance standards. The proposed regulations would, among other things, 
eliminate the general current law presumption that dividends paid to an 
address in a foreign country are paid to a resident of that country and would 
impose certain certification and documentation requirements on non-U.S. 
Holders claiming the benefit of a reduced withholding rate with respect to 
dividends under a tax treaty. These regulations generally are proposed to be 
effective with respect to payments made after December 31, 1997, although in 
certain cases they are proposed to be effective only with respect to payments 
made after December 31, 1999. Proposed regulations are subject to change, 
however, prior to their adoption in final form. 

FEDERAL ESTATE TAXES 

   Class A Common Stock owned or treated as owned by an individual who is not 
a citizen or resident (as specially defined for United States federal estate 
tax purposes) of the United States at the time of death will be included in 
such individual's gross estate for United States federal estate tax purposes, 
unless an applicable estate tax treaty provides otherwise. 

                                LEGAL MATTERS 

   Certain legal matters with respect to the validity of the shares of Class 
A Common Stock offered hereby will be passed upon for the Company by Skadden, 
Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, New York, New York. Cravath, Swaine & Moore, 
New York, New York has acted as counsel for the Underwriters. Skadden, Arps, 
Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Cravath, Swaine & Moore have from time to time 
represented, and may continue to represent, the Underwriters in connection 
with various legal matters. Both Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and 
Cravath, Swaine & Moore have from time to time represented, and may continue 
to represent, Mafco Holdings and certain of its affiliates (including the 
Company) in connection with certain legal matters. Joseph H. Flom, a partner 
in the firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, is a director of 
Revlon Group Incorporated, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mafco Holdings. 

                                   EXPERTS 

   
   The consolidated financial statements and schedules of the Company at 
December 31, 1995 and 1996, and for each of the three years in the period 
ended December 31, 1996, appearing in this Prospectus and the Registration 
Statement, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as 
set forth in their reports thereon appearing elsewhere herein, and are 
included in reliance upon such reports given upon the authority of such firm 
as experts in accounting and auditing. 
    

                               58           
<PAGE>
                            AVAILABLE INFORMATION 

   
   The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange 
Act, and, in accordance therewith, files reports, proxy statements and other 
information with the Commission. Such reports, proxy statements and other 
information filed by the Company can be inspected without charge at the 
office of the Commission at the Public Reference Section located at 450 Fifth 
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 and at the regional offices of the 
Commission located at Seven World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New 
York 10048 and 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661 , 
and copies thereof may be obtained from the Commission upon payment of the 
prescribed fees. The Commission also maintains a site on the World Wide Web, 
the address of which is http://www.sec.gov, that contains reports, proxy and 
information statements and other information regarding issuers, such as the 
Company, that file electronically with the Commission. Such reports, proxy 
statements and other information concerning the Company can also be inspected 
at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, 
N.Y. 10005, on which the Company's Class A Common Stock is traded. The 
Company intends to furnish its stockholders with annual reports containing 
consolidated financial statements audited by its independent certified public 
accountants and with quarterly reports containing unaudited condensed 
consolidated financial statements for each of the first three quarters of 
each fiscal year. 
    

   The Company has filed with the Commission in Washington, D.C. a 
Registration Statement on Form S-1 (as amended, the "Registration Statement") 
of which this Prospectus is a part under the Securities Act with respect to 
the Class A Common Stock offered hereby. This Prospectus does not contain all 
of the information set forth in the Registration Statement and the exhibits 
and schedules thereto, to which reference is hereby made. Statements made in 
this Prospectus as to the contents of any contract, agreement or other 
document are summaries of the material terms of such contract, agreement or 
other document. With respect to each such contract, agreement or other 
document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, reference is made 
to the exhibit for a more complete description of the matter involved. The 
Registration Statement (including the exhibits and schedules thereto) filed 
by the Company with the Commission may be inspected without charge at the 
public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at the addresses set 
forth above and may also be viewed at the Commission's Website. 

                               59           
<PAGE>
                  INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    PAGES 
                                                                 --------- 
<S>                                                              <C>
AUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
  Report of Independent Certified Public Accountants ...........     F-2 
  Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1995 and 1996 .     F-3 
  Consolidated Statements of Operations 
   for the years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996  .......     F-4 
  Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity 
   for the years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996  .......     F-5 
  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 
   for the years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996  .......     F-6 
  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements ...................     F-8 
</TABLE>
    

                               F-1           
<PAGE>
              REPORT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

   
The Board of Directors and Stockholders 
Consolidated Cigar Holdings Inc. 

   We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of 
Consolidated Cigar Holdings Inc. (formerly Consolidated Cigar (Parent) 
Holdings Inc.) and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 1995 and 
1996 and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' 
equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended 
December 31, 1996. These financial statements are the responsibility of the 
Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these 
financial statements based on our audits. 

   We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing 
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to 
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free 
of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, 
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. 
An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and 
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall 
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a 
reasonable basis for our opinion. 

   In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above 
present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position 
of the Company at December 31, 1995 and 1996, and the consolidated results of 
its operations and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended 
December 31, 1996, in conformity with generally accepted accounting 
principles. 

                                          Ernst & Young LLP 

Miami, Florida 
January 28, 1997 
    

                               F-2           
<PAGE>
              CONSOLIDATED CIGAR HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
                         CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 
                  (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA) 

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31, 
                                                                               1995            1996 
                                                                         --------------  -------------- 
<S>                                                                      <C>             <C>
                                 ASSETS 
Current assets: 
 Cash and cash equivalents .............................................     $  1,145        $  1,906 
 Accounts receivable, less allowances of $4,322 and $5,604, 
  respectively .........................................................       14,883          19,498 
 Inventories ...........................................................       39,022          45,957 
 Deferred taxes and other ..............................................        3,914           5,591 
                                                                         --------------  -------------- 
  Total current assets .................................................       58,964          72,952 
Property, plant and equipment, net .....................................       35,370          37,224 
Trademarks, less accumulated amortization of $2,453 and $3,319, 
 respectively ..........................................................       32,021          31,155 
Goodwill, less accumulated amortization of $4,942 and $6,593, 
 respectively ..........................................................       61,374          59,723 
Other intangibles and assets, less accumulated amortization of $4,670 
 and $3,406, respectively ..............................................        4,001           4,457 
                                                                         --------------  -------------- 
  Total assets .........................................................     $191,730        $205,511 
                                                                         ==============  ============== 
                  LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 
Current liabilities: 
 Current portion of promissory note due to affiliate ...................       $  --         $ 10,000 
 Accounts payable ......................................................        3,797           7,197 
 Accrued expenses ......................................................       16,103          20,206 
 Due to affiliate ......................................................        1,685           1,606 
                                                                         --------------  -------------- 
  Total current liabilities ............................................       21,585          39,009 
Long-term debt .........................................................      110,600          97,500 
Promissory note due to affiliate .......................................        --             60,000 
Deferred taxes .........................................................        4,066           5,851 
Other liabilities ......................................................        1,151           1,796 
                                                                         --------------  -------------- 
  Total liabilities ....................................................      137,402         204,156 
                                                                         --------------  -------------- 
Commitments and contingencies ..........................................        --              -- 
Stockholders' equity: 
 Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share; 20,000,000 shares 
  authorized, no shares issued and outstanding .........................        --              -- 
 Common stock, $1.00 par value, 1,000 shares authorized, issued and 
  outstanding ..........................................................            1           -- 
 Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share; 300,000,000 shares 
  authorized, 6,075,000 shares issued and outstanding ..................        --                 61 
 Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share; 250,000,000 shares 
  authorized, 24,600,000 shares issued and outstanding .................        --                246 
 Additional paid-in capital (capital deficiency) .......................       34,834         (13,314) 
 Retained earnings .....................................................       19,493          14,362 
                                                                         --------------  -------------- 
  Total stockholders' equity ...........................................       54,328           1,355 
                                                                         --------------  -------------- 
  Total liabilities and stockholders' equity ...........................     $191,730        $205,511 
                                                                         ==============  ============== 
</TABLE>
    

See notes to consolidated financial statements. 

                                F-3           
<PAGE>
   
               CONSOLIDATED CIGAR HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
                    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS 
                (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA) 
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 YEAR ENDED      YEAR ENDED      YEAR ENDED 
                                                DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31, 
                                                    1994            1995            1996 
                                              --------------  --------------  -------------- 
<S>                                           <C>             <C>            <C>
Net sales ...................................   $   131,510     $   158,166  $       216,868 
Cost of sales ...............................        78,836          94,347          126,013 
                                              --------------  --------------  -------------- 
Gross profit ................................        52,674          63,819           90,855 
Selling, general and administrative expenses         29,413          32,393           36,776 
                                              --------------  --------------  -------------- 
Operating income ............................        23,261          31,426           54,079 
                                              --------------  --------------  -------------- 
Other (expenses) income: 
 Interest expense, net ......................       (12,838)        (12,635)         (10,619) 
 Minority interest ..........................            78            (262)            (310) 
 Miscellaneous, net .........................          (828)         (1,000)            (906) 
                                              --------------  --------------  -------------- 
                                                    (13,588)        (13,897)         (11,835) 
                                              --------------  --------------  -------------- 
Income before provision for income taxes  ...         9,673          17,529           42,244 
Provision for income taxes ..................         1,989           3,599           12,449 
                                              --------------  --------------  -------------- 
Net income ..................................   $     7,684     $    13,930  $        29,795 
                                              ==============  ==============  ============== 
Net income per common share .................   $      0.31     $      0.57  $          1.11 
                                              ==============  ==============  ============== 
Weighted average common shares outstanding  .    24,600,000      24,600,000       26,890,574 
                                              ==============  ==============  ============== 
</TABLE>
    

See notes to consolidated financial statements. 

                               F-4           
<PAGE>
   
               CONSOLIDATED CIGAR HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
               CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 
                            (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) 
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    ADDITIONAL 
                                                                     PAID-IN 
                                              CLASS A    CLASS B     CAPITAL 
                                    COMMON    COMMON     COMMON      (CAPITAL     RETAINED 
                                    STOCK      STOCK      STOCK    DEFICIENCY)    EARNINGS      TOTAL 
                                  --------  ---------  ---------  ------------  ----------  ----------- 
<S>                               <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>           <C>         <C>
Balance at December 31, 1993  ...    $  1       $ --      $  --    $   29,999    $   2,879   $   32,879 
Net Income for the year .........                                                    7,684        7,684 
                                  --------  ---------  ---------  ------------  ----------  ----------- 
Balance at December 31, 1994  ...      1         --         --         29,999       10,563       40,563 
                                  --------  ---------  ---------  ------------  ----------  ----------- 

Net income for the year .........                                                   13,930       13,930 
Cash dividends paid .............     --         --         --             --       (5,000)      (5,000) 
Contribution to capital by 
 parent .........................     --         --         --          4,835           --        4,835 
                                  --------  ---------  ---------  ------------  ----------  ----------- 
Balance at December 31, 1995  ...      1         --         --         34,834       19,493       54,328 
                                  --------  ---------  ---------  ------------  ----------  ----------- 

Net income for the year .........     --         --         --             --       29,795       29,795 
Promissory note dividend ........     --         --         --        (47,842)     (22,158)     (70,000) 
Net proceeds from initial public 
 offering .......................     (1)        61        246        127,503           --      127,809 
Cash dividends paid .............     --         --         --       (127,809)     (12,768)    (140,577) 
                                  --------  ---------  ---------  ------------  ----------  ----------- 
Balance at December 31, 1996  ...   $ --       $ 61      $ 246     $  (13,314)   $  14,362   $    1,355 
                                  ========  =========  =========  ============  ==========  =========== 
</TABLE>
    

   
               See notes to consolidated financial statements. 
    

                               F-5           
<PAGE>
   
               CONSOLIDATED CIGAR HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
                    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 
                            (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) 
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         YEAR ENDED      YEAR ENDED      YEAR ENDED 
                                                        DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31, 
                                                            1994            1995            1996 
                                                       --------------   --------------  -------------- 
<S>                                                       <C>         <C>             <C>
Cash flows from operating activities: 
 Net income .........................................     $ 7,684         $13,930         $29,795 
 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash 
  provided by operating activities: 
  Depreciation and amortization .....................       7,613           7,699           7,357 
  Deferred income ...................................        (205)           (205)           (177) 
  Gain on the sale of fixed assets ..................        (390)             --              -- 
  Changes in assets and liabilities net of 
   acquisitions: 
   (Increase) decrease in: 
    Accounts receivable .............................      (1,852)         (1,971)         (4,615) 
    Inventories .....................................        (969)         (1,148)         (6,935) 
    Deferred taxes and other ........................          44          (1,367)         (1,762) 
   Increase (decrease) in: 
    Accounts payable ................................        (326)           (276)          3,400 
    Accrued expenses and other liabilities  .........       2,660           3,139           5,520 
                                                         ---------    --------------  -------------- 
Net cash provided by operating activities  ..........      14,259          19,801          32,583 
                                                         ---------    --------------  -------------- 
Cash flows from investing activities: 
 Capital expenditures ...............................        (788)           (983)         (5,278) 
 Investment in joint venture ........................          --              --            (482) 
 Proceeds from the sale of fixed assets .............       5,832               1              10 
 Increase in other assets ...........................          (8)             (7)           (125) 
                                                         ---------    --------------  -------------- 
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities        5,036            (989)         (5,875) 
                                                         ---------    --------------  -------------- 
</TABLE>
    

See notes to consolidated financial statements. 

                               F-6           
<PAGE>
   
               CONSOLIDATED CIGAR HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
              CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS--(CONTINUED) 
                            (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) 
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      YEAR ENDED      YEAR ENDED      YEAR ENDED 
                                                     DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31, 
                                                         1994            1995            1996 
                                                   --------------  --------------  -------------- 
<S>                                                <C>             <C>             <C>
Cash flows from financing activities: 
 Net proceeds from initial public offering  ......     $     --        $     --       $ 127,809 
 Repayment of revolving loan, net ................      (19,100)        (15,600)        (13,100) 
 Cash dividends paid .............................           --          (5,000)       (140,577) 
 Due to affiliates and other borrowings, net  ....          290           1,233             (79) 
                                                   --------------  --------------  -------------- 
Net cash used for financing activities ...........      (18,810)        (19,367)        (25,947) 
                                                   --------------  --------------  -------------- 
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents            485            (555)            761 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year  ....        1,215           1,700           1,145 
                                                   --------------  --------------  -------------- 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year ...........     $  1,700        $  1,145       $   1,906 
                                                   ==============  ==============  ============== 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow 
 information: 
 Interest paid during the year ...................     $ 12,921        $ 13,067       $  10,927 
 Income taxes paid during the year ...............        1,444           1,477          12,676 
</TABLE>
    

See notes to consolidated financial statements. 

                               F-7           
<PAGE>
   
              CONSOLIDATED CIGAR HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

NOTE A -- BASIS OF PRESENTATION 

   Consolidated Cigar Holdings Inc. (formerly Consolidated Cigar (Parent) 
Holdings Inc.) (the "Company") is a holding company with no business 
operations of its own and was formed as a Delaware corporation on January 6, 
1993 to hold all of the outstanding capital stock of Consolidated Cigar 
Corporation ("Consolidated Cigar"), through which the Company conducts its 
business operations. The results of operations and financial position of the 
Company therefore reflect the consolidated results of operations and 
financial position of Consolidated Cigar and its predecessors. Unless the 
context otherwise requires, all references in these notes to the consolidated 
financial statements of the Company shall mean Consolidated Cigar Holdings 
Inc. and its subsidiaries. 

   On August 21, 1996, the Company completed an initial public offering (the 
"IPO") in which it issued and sold 6,075,000 shares of its Class A Common 
Stock for $23.00 per share. The proceeds, net of underwriters' discount and 
related fees and expenses, of $127.8 million, were paid as a dividend to 
Mafco Consolidated Group Inc. Simultaneously with the IPO each of the 
Company's then outstanding shares of common stock was converted into 24,600 
shares of the newly created Class B Common Stock which totaled 24,600,000 
shares. 

   On January 30, 1997 the Company filed a registration statement with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission covering an offering of 5,000,000 shares 
(excluding the over-allotment option of 750,000 shares) of its Class A Common 
Stock. All the shares to be sold are owned by Mafco Consolidated Group Inc. 
("Mafco Consolidated Group") and, as a result, the Company will not receive any
of the proceeds. 

   On June 15, 1995 Mafco Holdings Inc. ("Mafco Holdings") and Mafco 
Consolidated Group formerly known as Abex Inc. ("Abex"), consummated an 
agreement and plan of merger (the "Merger Agreement") executed between the 
parties on January 6, 1995. The Merger Agreement provided for, among other 
things, the merger of C & F Merger Inc., a subsidiary of Mafco Holdings and 
the indirect parent of both the Company and Mafco Worldwide Corporation 
("Mafco Worldwide"), with Mafco Consolidated Group, which was the surviving 
corporation in the merger. As a result, the Company became a direct wholly 
owned subsidiary of Mafco Consolidated Group. 

   On December 11, 1992, Triple C Acquisition Corp. ("Triple C"), Mafco 
Holdings and a wholly owned subsidiary of Mafco Holdings entered into an 
agreement and plan of merger, pursuant to which the wholly owned subsidiary 
was merged into Triple C, with Triple C being the surviving corporation. 
Pursuant to the merger which was consummated on March 3, 1993, Mafco Holdings 
acquired all the outstanding shares of Triple C common stock and warrants to 
purchase Triple C common stock (the "1993 Acquisition") for an aggregate 
purchase price of $188.0 million, including fees and expenses. Immediately 
following the 1993 Acquisition, Triple C merged into Consolidated Cigar, with 
Consolidated Cigar being the surviving corporation. As a result, Consolidated 
Cigar became an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Mafco Holdings. 

NOTE B -- SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES 
    

 Business 

   The Company operates principally in one segment, manufacturing, 
distributing, and selling cigars in all sections of the industry. The Company 
also manufactures smoking tobaccos for sale under its own brand names, in 
bulk to tobacconists as well as private label brands for chain stores and 
wholesale distributors. 

 Principles of Consolidation 

   
   The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company 
and its majority and wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany 
accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. 
    

                               F-8           
<PAGE>
              CONSOLIDATED CIGAR HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

NOTE B -- SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  (CONTINUED) 

  Inventories 

   Leaf tobacco is carried at the lower of average cost or market. In 
accordance with generally recognized industry practice, all leaf tobacco 
inventory is classified as current although portions of such inventory, 
because of the duration of the aging process, ordinarily would not be 
utilized within one year. Cigars and other inventories are generally valued 
at the lower of cost (using the first-in, first-out method) or market. 

 Property, Plant and Equipment 

   Property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost and depreciated on a 
straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets which range 
from 5 years to 20 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over their 
estimated useful lives or the term of the lease, whichever is shorter. 
Repairs and maintenance are charged to operations as incurred and 
expenditures for additions and improvements are capitalized. 

 Trademarks 

   Trademarks consist of registered and unregistered tradenames of cigars or 
other tobacco brands which are being amortized on a straight-line basis over 
40 years. 

 Goodwill 

   
   Goodwill represents the excess of cost over fair value of net assets 
acquired in the 1993 Acquisition. Goodwill is being amortized over 40 years 
on a straight-line basis which is consistent with industry practice. The 
Company's accounting policy regarding the assessment of the recoverability of 
the carrying value of goodwill and other intangibles is to review the 
carrying value of goodwill and other intangibles if the facts and 
circumstances suggest that they may be impaired. If this review indicates 
that goodwill and other intangibles will not be recoverable, as determined 
based on the undiscounted future cash flows of the Company, the carrying 
value of goodwill and other intangibles will be reduced to their estimated 
fair value. 
    

   As discussed in Notes H and I, during 1995, goodwill was reduced by $4.4 
million due to the reduction in the valuation allowance for deferred tax 
assets and due to the establishment and transfer of deferred tax assets 
related to certain pension plan liabilities that were transferred to a 
related affiliate. 

 Impairment of Long-Lived Assets 

   
   The Company accounts for the impairment of long-lived assets under 
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, "Accounting for the
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of"
("SFAS 121"). SFAS 121 requires impairment losses to be recorded on long-lived
assets used in operations when indicators of impairment are present and the
undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less
than the assets' carrying amount. The adoption of SFAS 121 did not impact
the operations of the Company. 
    

 Revenue Recognition 

   Revenue is recognized from product sales upon shipment. Allowances for 
sales returns, customer incentive programs and promotions are recorded at the 
time of sale. 

   
 Advertising 

   The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. Amounts charged to 
advertising expense totaled $0.9 million, $1.2 million and $2.1 million for 
the years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively. 
    

                               F-9           
<PAGE>
              CONSOLIDATED CIGAR HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

NOTE B -- SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  (CONTINUED) 

  Net Income Per Common Share 

   
   Net income per common share has been computed assuming the conversion of 
the Company's common stock, prior to the IPO, into Class B Common Stock as of 
the beginning of all periods presented and is therefore based upon the 
weighted average of 24,600,000 shares of common stock outstanding prior to 
the IPO and 30,675,000 shares of common stock outstanding after the IPO. The 
dilutive effect of stock options has not been included as it is less than 3%. 
    

 Interest Rate Swaps 

   
   The Company entered into interest rate swap agreements to modify the 
interest characteristics of its outstanding debt from a fixed to a floating 
rate basis. These agreements involve the receipt of fixed rate amounts in 
exchange for floating rate interest payments over the life of the agreement 
without an exchange of the underlying principal amount. The differential to 
be paid or received is accrued as interest rates change and recognized as an 
adjustment to interest expense related to the debt. The related amount 
payable to or receivable from counterparties is included in accrued expenses. 
To the extent previous interest rate swap agreements have been terminated, 
the resulting gain is being recognized over the remaining original life of 
the terminated agreements. The fair values of the swap agreements (which 
amount is described in Note F), are not recognized in the financial 
statements. 
    

 Stock-Based Compensation 

   
   In October 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement 
of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based 
Compensation" ("SFAS 123"). SFAS 123 encourages, but does not require, 
companies to record compensation plans at fair value. The Company has chosen, 
in accordance with provisions of SFAS 123, to apply Accounting Principles 
Board Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" ("APB 25") 
and related interpretations treatment for its stock plan. Under APB 25, 
because the exercise price of the Company's employee stock options shall not 
be less than the market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant, 
no compensation expense is recognized. 

 Income Taxes 

   Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences 
between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial 
reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. 
    

 Concentration of Credit Risk 

   Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to 
concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of accounts receivable. The 
Company's customers are geographically dispersed but are concentrated in the 
tobacco industry. The Company historically has had no material losses on its 
accounts receivable from customers in the tobacco industry in excess of 
allowances provided. 

 Cash Flow Information 

   Cash equivalents are considered to be all highly liquid investments with 
maturities of three months or less when acquired and exclude restricted cash. 

 Use of Estimates 

   Preparation of the financial statements in conformity with generally 
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and 
assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and 
accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates. 

                              F-10           
<PAGE>
              CONSOLIDATED CIGAR HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

NOTE B -- SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  (CONTINUED) 

 Reclassifications 

   
   Certain reclassifications of 1995 amounts have been made to conform to the 
1996 financial statement presentation. 

NOTE C -- INVENTORIES 
    

   The components of inventories are as follows: 

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                              DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31, 
                                  1995            1996 
                             -------------  -------------- 
                                     (IN THOUSANDS) 
<S>                          <C>            <C>
Raw materials and supplies       $26,922        $34,469 
Work in process ............       1,692          1,974 
Finished goods .............      10,408          9,514 
                             -------------  -------------- 
                                 $39,022        $45,957 
                             =============  ============== 
</TABLE>
    

   
NOTE D -- PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET 

   The components of property, plant and equipment are as follows: 
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31, 
                                1995            1996 
                           -------------  -------------- 
                                   (IN THOUSANDS) 
<S>                        <C>            <C>
Land .....................    $  1,804        $  1,884 
Buildings ................      13,254          14,140 
Machinery and equipment  .      28,597          33,188 
Leasehold improvements  ..         276             361 
Furniture and fixtures  ..       1,555           1,573 
                           -------------  -------------- 
                                45,486          51,146 
Accumulated depreciation       (10,116)        (13,922) 
                           -------------  -------------- 
                              $ 35,370        $ 37,224 
                           =============  ============== 
</TABLE>
    

   
   Depreciation expense was $3.7 million for 1994, $3.6 million for 1995 and 
$3.9 million for 1996. 

NOTE E -- ACCRUED EXPENSES 
    

   Included in accrued expenses are the following: 

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31, 
                                               1995            1996 
                                          -------------  -------------- 
                                                  (IN THOUSANDS) 
<S>                                       <C>            <C>
Employee benefits and other compensation      $ 7,226        $10,126 
Interest ................................       3,452          3,388 
Promotional .............................       1,345          1,281 
Taxes ...................................       1,592          1,849 
Other ...................................       2,488          3,562 
                                          -------------  -------------- 
                                              $16,103        $20,206 
                                          =============  ============== 
</TABLE>
    

                              F-11           
<PAGE>
              CONSOLIDATED CIGAR HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

   
NOTE F --LONG-TERM DEBT 
    

   Long-term debt consists of the following: 

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31, 
                                           1995            1996 
                                      -------------  -------------- 
                                              (IN THOUSANDS) 
<S>                                   <C>            <C>
Bank borrowings (a) .................    $ 20,600        $  7,500 
Senior Subordinated Notes (b)  ......      90,000          90,000 
Promissory Note (c) .................          --          70,000 
                                      -------------  -------------- 
                                          110,600         167,500 
Less amounts payable within one year           --         (10,000) 
                                     --------------  --------------
                                         $110,600        $157,500 
                                     ==============  ============== 
</TABLE>
    

   
   (a) Represents borrowings under a credit agreement (the "Credit Agreement") 
       with Chase dated February 23, 1993, which provides for a revolving 
       credit facility (the "Revolving Credit Facility") and a working capital 
       facility (the "Working Capital Facility"). The Revolving Credit 
       Facility and the Working Capital Facility have final maturities on 
       April 3, 1999. The Revolving Credit Facility was subject to quarterly 
       commitment reductions of $2.5 million through the end of 1996.

       The Credit Agreement was amended on February 3, 1997 to reduce the 
       amount of various interest rate margins charged against outstanding 
       borrowings and waive any further scheduled amortization of the 
       commitment on the Revolving Credit Facility. The Credit Agreement is 
       secured by perfected first priority liens on all of the material assets 
       of Consolidated Cigar and its domestic subsidiaries and perfected 
       pledges of the stock of all Consolidated Cigar's subsidiaries (with 
       certain exceptions for the stock of foreign subsidiaries). The Credit 
       Agreement is guaranteed by the Company and by all of the domestic 
       subsidiaries of Consolidated Cigar. The guarantee by the Company is 
       secured by a pledge of all the outstanding stock of Consolidated Cigar. 

       The maximum borrowings under the Credit Agreement, as amended, at the 
       end of December 31, 1996 and through maturity are $20 million under the 
       Working Capital Facility and $14.9 million under the Revolving Credit 
       Facility. Outstanding letters of credit of approximately $1.7 million 
       reduced the available borrowings under the Credit Agreement at 
       December 31, 1996. 

   The following indicates the Credit Agreement's established and amended 
interest payments rates available at the option of Consolidated Cigar: 
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              INITIAL      1996      RATE EFFECTIVE 
                                               RATE        RATE        MARCH 1997 
                                           -----------  --------  ------------------ 
<S>                      <C>               <C>          <C>       <C>
Base Rate Loans            Prime plus          1 3/4%       1%             0% 
936 Loans                 936 Rate plus        2 3/4%       2%             1% 
Eurodollar Funds         Eurodollar plus       2 3/4%       2%             1% 
</TABLE>
    

   
   The average interest rate under the Credit Agreement was approximately 
7.7% at December 31, 1996. 
    

   The Credit Agreement contains various covenants which govern, among other 
things, the ability to incur indebtedness, pay dividends, incur lease rental 
obligations, make capital expenditures, use proceeds from asset sales, 
participate in mergers and other activities. The Credit Agreement also 
requires Consolidated Cigar to satisfy certain financial covenants related to 
net worth, capital expenditures and various ratios. 

   (b) Represents the balance of $90.0 million in principal amount of 10 1/2% 
       Senior Subordinated Notes 

                              F-12           
<PAGE>
              CONSOLIDATED CIGAR HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

NOTE F --LONG-TERM DEBT  (CONTINUED) 

       Due 2003 (the "Senior Subordinated Notes") issued in connection with 
       the Acquisition. 

       The Senior Subordinated Notes bear interest at the rate of 10 1/2% per 
       annum, mature on March 1, 2003 and are redeemable at a premium prior to 
       maturity starting March 1, 1998. The Senior Subordinated Notes are 
       redeemable earlier at a premium in the event of a change of control. 

       The indenture relating to the Senior Subordinated Notes limits, among 
       other things, dividends and other distributions, certain types of 
       indebtedness, certain mergers, consolidations and sales of assets. 

   
   (c) Represents a non-interest bearing promissory note issued in connection 
       with the IPO as a dividend in an original principal amount of $70.0 
       million (the "Promissory Note") to Mafco Consolidated Group. The 
       Promissory Note is payable in quarterly installments of $2.5 million, 
       beginning March 31, 1997 with the final installment payable on December 
       31, 2003. 
    

   The scheduled repayments of long-term debt for the next five years based 
on the outstanding balances at December 31, 1996 are as follows: 

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 YEAR ENDING 
DECEMBER 31,     (IN THOUSANDS) 
- --------------  -------------- 
<S>             <C>
 1997 .........     $10,000 
 1998 .........      10,000 
 1999 .........      17,500 
 2000 .........      10,000 
 2001 .........      10,000 
</TABLE>
    

   
   The fair value of the Company's long-term debt at December 31, 1996 is 
estimated based on the quoted market prices for the same issues or on the 
current rates offered to the Company for debt of the same remaining 
maturities. The estimated fair value of long-term debt was approximately $3.6 
million more than the carrying value of $167.5 million. 
    

   Because judgment is required in interpreting market data to develop 
estimates of fair value, the estimates are not necessarily indicative of the 
amounts that could be realized or would be paid in a current market exchange. 
The effect of using different market assumptions or estimation methodologies 
may be material to the estimated fair value amounts. 

   
   Consolidated Cigar entered into two five year interest rate swap 
agreements in an aggregate notional amount of $85.0 million. Under the terms 
of the agreements, Consolidated Cigar receives a fixed interest rate 
averaging 5 4/5% and pays a variable interest rate equal to the six month 
LIBOR. Consolidated Cigar entered into such agreements to take advantage of 
the differential between long-term and short-term interest rates and 
effectively converted the interest rate on $85.0 million of fixed-rate 
indebtedness to a variable rate. From inception of the agreements through 
January 1997 Consolidated Cigar has paid $0.8 million in settlement, which 
occurs at the end of each six month period of the agreements. Had 
Consolidated Cigar terminated these agreements, which the Company considers 
to be held for other than trading purposes, on January 31, 1997, a combined 
loss of approximately $1.1 million would have been realized. Future positive 
or negative cash flows associated with these agreements will depend upon the 
trend of short-term interest rates during the remaining life of the 
agreements. In the event of non-performance of the counterparties at anytime 
during the remaining lives of these agreements which expire at December 1998 
and January 1999, the Company could lose some or all of any future positive 
cash flows. However, the Company does not anticipate non-performance by such 
counterparties. 
    

                              F-13           
<PAGE>
              CONSOLIDATED CIGAR HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

   
NOTE G -- COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES 

   The Company rents facilities and equipment under operating lease 
agreements which expire at various dates through 2008. Net rental expense 
under operating leases was $1.7 million for the year ended December 31, 1994, 
$1.8 million for the year ended December 31, 1995, and $1.9 million for the 
year ended December 31, 1996. 
    

   Future minimum rental commitments on a cash basis for all noncancellable 
operating leases are as follows: 

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 YEAR ENDING 
DECEMBER 31,     (IN THOUSANDS) 
- --------------  -------------- 
<S>             <C>
 1997 .........      $1,251 
 1998 .........       1,263 
 1999 .........       1,101 
 2000 .........         528 
 2001 .........         173 
</TABLE>
    

   Additional commitments exist resulting from contracts to purchase tobacco 
from various suppliers. At the end of fiscal 1996, outstanding contracts to 
purchase tobacco amounted to $7.3 million which were all U.S. dollar 
obligations. 

   The Company is a party to various pending legal actions. In the opinion of 
management, based upon the advice of its outside counsel, the liability, if 
any, from all pending litigation will not materially affect the Company's 
consolidated financial position or results of operations. 

   
NOTE H --INCOME TAXES 

   The Company, Consolidated Cigar and Mafco Consolidated Group have been, 
for federal income tax purposes, members of an affiliated group of 
corporations of which Mafco Holdings is the common parent (the "Tax Group"). 
As a result of such affiliation, the Company, Consolidated Cigar, and Mafco 
Consolidated Group have been included in the consolidated federal income tax 
returns and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, included in combined 
state or local income tax returns filed on behalf of the Tax Group. Pursuant 
to a tax sharing agreement among the Company, Consolidated Cigar, and Mafco 
Consolidated Group and a tax sharing agreement between Mafco Consolidated 
Group and Mafco Holdings (collectively, the "Tax Sharing Agreements"), the 
Company has been required to pay to Mafco Holdings or Mafco Consolidated 
Group with respect to each taxable year an amount equal to the consolidated 
federal and state and local income taxes that would have been incurred by the 
Company had it not been included in the consolidated federal and any combined 
state or local income tax returns filed by the Tax Group. Pursuant to the Tax 
Sharing Agreements, tax carryforward losses that arose prior to the 1993 
Acquisition are not available to the Company on a go-forward basis. The 
Company had generated U.S. tax net operating loss carryforwards of $2.9 
million subsequent to the 1993 Acquisition, which were utilized completely 
during 1994 and 1995. The net amounts paid by Consolidated Cigar, through the 
Company, during the years ended December 31, 1994, 1995, and 1996 were 
approximately $0.4 million, $0.4 million and $9.8 million, respectively. 
    

                              F-14           
<PAGE>
              CONSOLIDATED CIGAR HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

NOTE H --INCOME TAXES  (CONTINUED) 

   
    The provision (benefit) for income taxes consists of the following: 
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                YEAR ENDED      YEAR ENDED      YEAR ENDED 
               DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31, 
                   1994            1995            1996 
             --------------  --------------  -------------- 
                              (IN THOUSANDS) 
<S>          <C>             <C>             <C>
Current: 
 Federal  ..      $  266          $1,880         $ 9,286 
 State .....         222             423           1,547 
 Foreign  ..       1,494           1,292           1,826 
             --------------  --------------  -------------- 
                   1,982           3,595          12,659 
             --------------  --------------  -------------- 
Deferred: 
 Federal  ..          --            (600)           (986) 
 State .....          --              --            (165) 
 Foreign  ..           7             604             941 
             --------------  --------------  -------------- 
                       7               4            (210) 
             --------------  --------------  -------------- 
                  $1,989          $3,599         $12,449 
             ==============  ==============  ============== 
</TABLE>
    

   
   The approximate effect of the temporary differences that gave rise to 
deferred tax balances were as follows: 
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31, 
                                      1995            1996 
                                --------------  -------------- 
                                         (IN THOUSANDS) 
<S>                             <C>             <C>
Deferred tax assets: 
 Accounts receivable ..........      $1,437          $1,930 
 Accrued expenses .............       1,628           1,875 
 Other ........................       1,139           1,365 
                                --------------  -------------- 
  Total deferred tax asset  ...       4,204           5,170 
                                --------------  -------------- 
Deferred tax liabilities: 
 Property, plant and equipment        3,474           3,318 
 Unremitted earnings ..........       1,579           2,520 
 Other ........................          42              13 
                                --------------  -------------- 
  Total deferred tax liability        5,095           5,851 
                                --------------  -------------- 
  Net deferred tax liability  .      $  891          $  681 
                                ==============  ============== 
</TABLE>
    

   
   The net deferred tax liability relates mainly to the Company's Puerto Rico 
subsidiary which is not consolidated for federal income tax purposes. This 
represents the temporary difference attributable to property, plant and 
equipment at Puerto Rico's effective local tax and toll gate tax rate. 

   As discussed in Note I, during 1995 certain pension liabilities were 
transferred to an affiliate. In connection with this transaction, a deferred 
tax asset in the amount of $2.4 million was recorded along with a reduction 
of goodwill relating to the unfunded pension liability at the date of the 
1993 Acquisition. This deferred tax asset was then transferred to Mafco 
Consolidated Group. 
    

                              F-15           
<PAGE>
              CONSOLIDATED CIGAR HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

NOTE H --INCOME TAXES  (CONTINUED) 

    A reconciliation of the statutory U.S. income tax rate and the effective 
income tax rate is as follows: 

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 YEAR ENDED      YEAR ENDED      YEAR ENDED 
                                DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31, 
                                    1994            1995            1996 
                              --------------  --------------  -------------- 
                                               (IN THOUSANDS) 
<S>                           <C>             <C>             <C>
Statutory rate ..............     $ 3,386         $ 6,135         $14,785 
Realization of valuation 
 reserve ....................        (589)           (600)             -- 
Foreign income not subject 
 to statutory tax rate ......      (1,749)         (2,765)         (3,818) 
State income taxes, 
 net in 1995 and 1996 .......         222             275             898 
Non-deductible amortization           620             620             578 
Other .......................          99             (66)              6 
                              --------------  --------------  -------------- 
                                  $ 1,989         $ 3,599         $12,449 
                              ==============  ==============  ============== 
</TABLE>
    

   The domestic and foreign components of income (loss) before income taxes 
are as follows: 

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   YEAR ENDED      YEAR ENDED      YEAR ENDED 
                  DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31, 
                      1994            1995            1996 
                --------------  --------------  -------------- 
                                 (IN THOUSANDS) 
<S>             <C>             <C>             <C>
United States       $(2,725)        $    66         $16,132 
Foreign .......      12,398          17,463          26,112 
                --------------  --------------  -------------- 
                    $ 9,673         $17,529         $42,244 
                ==============  ==============  ============== 
</TABLE>
    

   
   Foreign income primarily consists of Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic 
income. Pursuant to a grant of industrial tax exemption which expires in 
2002, 90% of the income earned from the manufacture of cigars in Puerto Rico 
is tax exempt from Puerto Rican income taxes. The remaining 10% of such 
income is taxed at a maximum surtax rate of 45%, resulting in an effective 
income tax rate of approximately 4.5%. The benefit to the Company amounted to 
approximately $3.5 million for the year ended December 31, 1994, $5.1 million 
for the year ended December 31, 1995, and $7.4 million for the year ended 
December 31, 1996. 

   Funds repatriated to the Company from its Puerto Rico subsidiary are 
subject to a maximum Puerto Rico tollgate tax of 10%. Legislation enacted in 
Puerto Rico in 1993 included a provision for prepaying a portion of these 
tollgate taxes effective for the 1993 fiscal year and subsequent periods. 

   The Company manufactures cigars in the Dominican Republic pursuant to a 
100% exemption from Dominican Republic income taxes, which exemption expires 
in 2010. 

   Income earned from Puerto Rico operations is generally exempt from federal 
income tax. Section 936 of the Internal Revenue Code allows a "possessions 
tax credit" against U.S. income tax attributable to the Puerto Rico taxable 
earnings. As part of OBRA 1993, the Internal Revenue Service has limited this 
exemption based upon a percentage of qualified wages in Puerto Rico, plus 
certain amounts of depreciation. The Company believes that it qualified for 
the possessions tax credit during each of the fiscal years ended 1994, 1995 
and 1996. 

   On August 20, 1996, the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996 (the 
"SBJPA") was enacted into law. Under the SBJPA, Section 936 of the Internal 
Revenue Code, the possessions tax credit was 
    

                              F-16           
<PAGE>
              CONSOLIDATED CIGAR HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

NOTE H --INCOME TAXES  (CONTINUED) 

   
 repealed, subject to special grandfather rules for which the Company would 
be eligible, provided that the Company does not add a "substantial new line 
of business." Under the grandfather rules, for the Company's taxable years 
beginning December 31, 2001 and before January 1, 2006, the Company's 
business income from its Puerto Rico operations eligible for the possessions 
tax credit would, in addition to the current limitation based upon a 
percentage of qualified wages in Puerto Rico, plus certain amounts of 
depreciation, generally be limited to its average annual income from its 
Puerto Rico operations, adjusted for inflation, computed during the Company's 
five most recent taxable years ending before October 14, 1995 and excluding 
the highest and lowest years (the "Income Limitation"). For taxable years 
after December 31, 2005, the possessions tax credit would be eliminated. The 
repeal of the possessions tax credit could have a material adverse effect on 
the Company for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2001 and before 
January 2006 to the extent that the Company's annual income from its Puerto 
Rico operations exceeds its average annual income from its Puerto Rico 
operations (as computed in the manner described in the preceding sentence), 
and for taxable years after December 31, 2005. Although it does not currently 
have any definitive plans with respect thereto, the Company expects to 
evaluate alternatives that may be available to it in order to mitigate the 
effects of the SBJPA. On February 6, 1997, President Clinton proposed certain 
tax law changes which, if enacted, would eliminate the Income Limitation, 
extend the possession tax credit indefinitely and make the credit available 
to newly established business operations. 
    

NOTE I -- PENSION PLANS 

   Consolidated Cigar maintains tax qualified non-contributory defined 
benefit pension plans covering substantially all hourly and salaried 
employees in the U.S. and Puerto Rico (the "Pension Plans"). In accordance 
with an agreement between Consolidated Cigar and MCG Intermediate Holdings 
Inc. ("MCG"), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mafco Consolidated Group 
who maintains the Abex Retirement Plan, the Pension Plans were merged with 
and into the Abex Retirement Plan, effective December 31, 1995. 

   
   The Abex Retirement Plan was the surviving plan with all the assets and 
liabilities of the merged Pension Plans becoming assets and liabilities of 
the surviving Abex Retirement Plan. The effect of the merger of the Pension 
Plans was recorded as a contribution to capital of $4.8 million by Mafco 
Consolidated Group. The capital contribution is net of a $2.4 million 
deferred tax asset. The Company will continue to record service cost, 
interest and return on plan assets in future years based on a fully funded 
plan. 
    

   Consolidated Cigar also provides a separate non-contributory defined 
benefit pension plan for hourly employees in its Richmond, Virginia location 
and a benefit restoration plan (BRP) for certain officers. 

   The pension plans' benefit formulas generally base payments to retired 
employees upon their length of service and a percentage of qualifying 
compensation during the 60 consecutive months in which compensation was 
highest, in the ten years prior to retirement. Pension benefits are limited 
to 33 years of credited service and are reduced by the actuarial equivalent 
of any benefits received under the Consolidated Cigar's 401(k) Plans. 

                              F-17           
<PAGE>
              CONSOLIDATED CIGAR HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

NOTE I -- PENSION PLANS  (CONTINUED) 

   
    The following table sets forth Consolidated Cigar's remaining pension 
plans' funded status after the merger with the Abex Retirement Plan. The 
Richmond, Virginia plan's assets exceed its liabilities and the BRP is 
unfunded. These amounts are recognized in the consolidated financial 
statements under the captions "Other Liabilities" and "Accrued Expenses" as 
unfunded liabilities with the 1996 data based upon actuarial projections: 
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        DECEMBER 31,                      DECEMBER 31, 
                                                            1995                              1996 
                                             --------------------------------  -------------------------------- 
                                               ASSETS EXCEED     ACCUMULATED     ASSETS EXCEED     ACCUMULATED 
                                                ACCUMULATED       BENEFITS        ACCUMULATED       BENEFITS 
                                                 BENEFITS       EXCEED ASSETS      BENEFITS       EXCEED ASSETS 
                                             ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  --------------- 
                                                                        (IN THOUSANDS) 
<S>                                          <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>
Plan assets at fair value ..................       $462             $  --            $452            $    -- 
Actuarial present value of benefit 
 obligation: 
 Vested benefits ...........................        368               139             358                757 
 Non-vested benefits .......................         32                 8              24                 64 
                                             ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  --------------- 
Accumulated benefit obligations ............        400               147             382                821 
Effect of projected future salary increases          --               148              --                321 
                                             ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  --------------- 
                                                    400               295             382              1,142 
                                             ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  --------------- 
Funded status-over (under) .................         62              (295)             70             (1,142) 
Unrecognized net loss (gain) ...............          6              (249)            (16)               (22) 
Prior service cost not yet recognized in 
 net periodic pension cost .................         27               309              35                541 
Unrecognized net transition asset ..........        (67)               --             (62)               198 
Adjustment required to recognize
 minimum liability .........................         --                --              --               (198)
                                             ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  --------------- 
Net pension asset (liability)...............       $ 28             $(235)           $ 27            $  (821) 
                                             ===============  ===============  ===============  =============== 
</TABLE>
    

   
   The discount rate used in determining the actuarial present value of the 
projected benefit obligation was 7 1/4% in 1995 and 1996. The rate of 
increase in future compensation levels reflected in such determinations was  
4 1/2% in 1995 and in 1996. The assumed long-term rate of return on assets was
8% in 1995 and 1996. Consolidated Cigar's funding policy is to contribute
annually an amount necessary to satisfy the Internal Revenue Service's 
minimum funding standards. Plan assets consist principally of equity, fixed 
income and money market funds. 
    

   The following table sets forth the periodic pension expense as follows: 

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  YEAR ENDED      YEAR ENDED      YEAR ENDED 
                                 DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31, 
                                     1994            1995            1996 
                               --------------  --------------  -------------- 
                                                (IN THOUSANDS) 
<S>                            <C>             <C>             <C>
Service cost--benefits 
 earned during the period  ...      $  615         $   490         $   716 
Interest cost on 
 projected benefit obligation        1,506           1,644           1,934 
Actual return on 
 plan assets .................        (942)         (2,598)         (4,087) 
Net amortizations 
 and deferrals ...............          42           1,661           1,977 
                               --------------  --------------  -------------- 
Net pension expense ..........      $1,221         $ 1,197         $   540 
                               ==============  ==============  ============== 
</TABLE>
    

                              F-18           
<PAGE>
              CONSOLIDATED CIGAR HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

NOTE I -- PENSION PLANS  (CONTINUED) 

   
    Consolidated Cigar has adopted two deferred compensation plans pursuant 
to Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code for all domestic salaried 
employees and certain union employees who have a minimum of six months of 
service (the "401(k) Plans"). It has been Consolidated Cigar's policy to 
contribute 2%, up to a maximum of $3,000, of each domestic salaried 
employee's compensation into their 401(k) Plan. Effective with the 401(k) 
Plan year ended December 31, 1995, Consolidated Cigar contributes 2% to the 
union employees 401(k) Plan up to a maximum of $3,000. Prior to the 401(k) 
Plan year ended December 31, 1995, Consolidated Cigar did not contribute to 
the union employees 401(k) Plan. Amounts expensed under the 401(k) Plans for 
the year ended December 31, 1994 were $192,000, for the year ended December 
31, 1995 were $202,000 and for the year ended December 31, 1996 were 
$368,000. 

NOTE J -- STOCK PLAN 

   The Company adopted the Consolidated Cigar Holdings Inc. 1996 Stock Plan 
(the "Stock Plan") prior to the effectiveness of the IPO. Under the Stock 
Plan, incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, stock 
appreciation rights, restricted and unrestricted stock (collectively 
"Awards"), may be granted to selected employees, consultants and directors of 
the Company, and any of its affiliates, from time to time. The aggregate 
number of shares of Class A Common Stock as to which options and rights may 
be granted under the Stock Plan may not exceed 3,000,000. As of December 31, 
1996 there were 1,237,500 shares of non-qualified options outstanding that 
were issued to officers and employees, 1,150,000 shares at an exercise price 
equal to the initial public offering price of $23.00 per share and 87,500 
shares at $25.00 per share. None of the option shares were exercisable at 
December 31, 1996 and 1,762,500 shares remained available for future grants. 
These options vest one-third each year beginning on the first anniversary of 
the date of grant and become 100% vested on the third anniversary of the date 
of grant. 

   The Company has adopted the disclosure-only provisions of SFAS 123. 
Accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for the Stock Plan. Had 
compensation cost for the Company's Stock Plan been determined based on the 
fair value at grant date for awards in 1996 consistent with the provisions of 
SFAS 123, the Company's net earnings and earnings per share would have been 
reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated below: 
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        YEAR ENDED 
                                       DECEMBER 31, 
                                           1996 
                                ------------------------ 
                                      (IN THOUSANDS, 
                                     EXCEPT PER SHARE 
                                         AMOUNTS) 
<S>                             <C>
Net earnings--as reported  ....          $29,795 
Net earnings--pro forma  ......           28,127 
Earnings per share--as 
 reported .....................             1.11 
Earnings per share--pro forma               1.05 

</TABLE>
    

   
   The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant 
using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following 
weighted-average assumptions used for grants in 1996: dividend yield of 0.0%; 
expected volatility of 90%; risk-free interest rate of 6.13%; and expected 
life of 5 years. 

   The weighted average fair value of options granted in 1996 is $16.91 per 
share. At December 31, 1996 the weighted average exercise price of the
options outstanding is $23.14 and the weighted average remaining contractual 
life of those options is 9.75 years. 

NOTE K --RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 
    

   Pursuant to a Reimbursement Agreement between Mafco Holdings and 
Consolidated Cigar, Mafco Holdings provides the Company with certain 
allocated services upon request. In addition, as discussed 

                              F-19           
<PAGE>
              CONSOLIDATED CIGAR HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Concluded)

NOTE K --RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS  (CONTINUED) 

   
in Note H, the Company has agreed to pay Mafco Holdings and Mafco 
Consolidated Group certain amounts pursuant to the Tax Sharing Agreements. 
Amounts due to affiliates totaled $1.7 million and $1.6 million at December 
31, 1995 and 1996 respectively, principally relating to income taxes. 

   The Company purchases certain raw materials from Mafco Worldwide 
Corporation which amounted to $265,000, $269,000 and $211,000 for the years 
ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively. The Company also 
provides services for Revlon, Inc., a subsidiary of Mafco Holdings which 
amounted to $763,000, $874,000 and $958,000 for the years ended December 31, 
1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively. Amounts due to and from these affiliates 
were not significant at December 31, 1995 and 1996. 

NOTE L -- QUARTERLY FINANCIAL SUMMARIES (UNAUDITED) 

   Summarized quarterly financial data for 1995 and 1996 are as follows (in 
thousands, except per share amounts): 
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   QUARTER ENDED 
                              ------------------------------------------------------ 
                                APRIL 1,    JULY 1,    SEPTEMBER 30,    DECEMBER 31, 
                              ----------  ---------  ---------------  -------------- 
<S>                           <C>         <C>        <C>              <C>
1995 
- ----
Net sales ...................   $31,537     $39,912       $43,687         $43,030 
Gross profit ................    12,940      16,343        17,541          16,995 
Net income ..................     1,561       4,028         4,261           4,080 
Net income per common share       $0.06       $0.17         $0.17           $0.17 

</TABLE>
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  QUARTER ENDED 
                             ----------------------------------------------------- 
                              MARCH 30,   JUNE 29,   SEPTEMBER 28,    DECEMBER 31, 
                             ----------  ---------  --------------  -------------- 
<S>                          <C>         <C>        <C>             <C>
1996 
- ----
Net sales ..................   $40,225     $51,975      $60,620         $64,048 
Gross profit ...............    16,912      21,872       25,645          26,426 
Net income .................     4,334       6,843        9,577           9,041 
Net income per common share      $0.19       $0.28        $0.35           $0.29 

</TABLE>
    


                              F-20           

<PAGE>
                                 UNDERWRITING 

   Subject to the terms and conditions of the U.S. Underwriting Agreement, 
the Selling Stockholder has agreed to sell to each of the U.S. Underwriters 
named below, and each of such U.S. Underwriters, for whom Goldman, Sachs & 
Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Morgan Stanley & 
Co. Incorporated are acting as representatives (the "Representatives"), has 
severally agreed to purchase from the Selling Stockholder, the respective 
number of shares of Class A Common Stock set forth opposite its name below: 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               NUMBER OF 
                                               SHARES OF 
                                                CLASS A 
                UNDERWRITER                   COMMON STOCK 
- -----------------------------------------  ---------------- 
<S>                                        <C>
Goldman, Sachs & Co. ..................... 
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith 
     Incorporated  ....................... 
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated  ....... 
                                           ---------------- 
  Total ..................................        4,000,000
                                           ================
</TABLE>
    

   Under the terms and conditions of the U.S. Underwriting Agreement, the 
U.S. Underwriters are committed to take and pay for all of the shares offered 
hereby, if any are taken. 

   The U.S. Underwriters propose to offer the shares of Class A Common Stock 
in part directly to the public at the initial public offering price set forth 
on the cover page of this Prospectus and in part to certain dealers at such 
price less a concession of $     per share. The U.S. Underwriters may allow, 
and such dealers may reallow, a concession not in excess of $     per share 
to certain brokers and dealers. After the shares of Class A Common Stock are 
released for sale to the public, the offering price and other selling terms 
may from time to time be varied by the Representatives. 

   
   The Company and the Selling Stockholder have entered into an underwriting 
agreement (the "International Underwriting Agreement") with the underwriters of
the International Offering (the "International Underwriters") providing for the
concurrent offer and sale of 1,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock in an 
international offering outside the United States. The offering price and 
aggregate underwriting discounts and commissions per share for the Offerings 
are identical. The closing of the U.S. Offering made hereby is a condition to 
the closing of the International Offering, and vice versa. The 
representatives of the International Underwriters are Goldman Sachs 
International, Merrill Lynch International and Morgan Stanley & Co. 
International Limited. 
    

   Pursuant to an Agreement between the U.S. and International Underwriting 
Syndicates (the "Agreement Between") relating to the Offerings, each of the 
U.S. Underwriters named herein has agreed that, as a part of the distribution 
of the shares offered hereby and subject to certain exceptions, it will 
offer, sell or deliver the shares of Class A Common Stock, directly or 
indirectly, only in the United States of America (including the States and 
the District of Columbia), its territories, its possessions and other areas 
subject to its jurisdiction (the "United States") and to U.S. persons, which 
term shall mean, for purposes of this paragraph: (a) any individual who is a 
resident of the United States or (b) any corporation, partnership or other 
entity organized in or under the laws of the United States or any political 
subdivision thereof and whose office most directly involved with the purchase 
is located in the United States. Each of the International Underwriters has 
agreed pursuant to the Agreement Between that, as a part of the distribution 
of the shares offered as a part of the International Offering and subject to 
certain exceptions, it will (i) not, directly or indirectly, offer, sell or 
deliver shares of Class A Common Stock (a) in the United States or to any 
U.S. persons or (b) to any person who it believes intends to reoffer, resell 
or deliver the shares in the United States or to any U.S. persons and (ii) 
cause any dealer to whom it may sell such shares at any concession to agree 
to observe a similar restriction. 

   Pursuant to the Agreement Between, sales may be made between the U.S. 
Underwriters and the International Underwriters of such number of shares of 
Class A Common Stock as may be mutually agreed. The price of any shares so 
sold shall be the initial public offering price, less an amount not greater 
than the selling concession. 

                               U-1           

<PAGE>
    The Selling Stockholder has granted the U.S. Underwriters an option 
exercisable for 30 days after the date of this Prospectus to purchase up to 
an aggregate of 600,000 additional shares of Class A Common Stock solely to 
cover over-allotments, if any. If the U.S. Underwriters exercise their 
over-allotment option, the U.S. Underwriters have severally agreed, subject 
to certain conditions, to purchase approximately the same percentage thereof 
that the number of shares to be purchased by each of them, as shown in the 
foregoing table, bears to the 4,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock 
offered hereby. The Selling Stockholder has granted the International 
Underwriters a similar option to purchase up to an aggregate of 150,000 
additional shares of Class A Common Stock. 

   
   The Company and Mafco Consolidated Group have agreed that, subject to 
certain exceptions, during the period beginning from the date of this 
Prospectus and continuing to and including the date 90 days after the date of 
this Prospectus, they will not offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise 
dispose of any securities of the Company (other than pursuant to employee 
stock option or purchase plans existing, or on the conversion or exchange of 
convertible or exchangeable securities outstanding, on the date of this 
Prospectus) which are substantially similar to the shares of Class A Common 
Stock or which are convertible into or exchangeable for securities which are 
substantially similar to the shares of Class A Common Stock without the prior 
written consent of Goldman, Sachs & Co., except for the shares of Class A 
Common Stock offered in connection with the Offerings. 
    

   The Company and the Selling Stockholder have agreed to indemnify the 
several Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under 
the Securities Act. 

   Certain of the U.S. Underwriters and the International Underwriters and 
their affiliates participate on a regular basis in various general financing 
transactions for the Company and its affiliates. 

   
     During and following the Offerings, the Underwriters may purchase and/or
sell Class A Common Stock in the open market. These transactions may include
overallotment and stabilization transactions and purchases to cover syndicate
short positions created in connection with the Offerings. The Underwriters also
may impose a penalty bid, whereby selling concessions allowed to syndicate
members or other broker-dealers in respect of the Class A Common Stock sold
in the Offerings for their account may be reclaimed by the syndicate if such 
shares are repurchased by the syndicate in covering transactions. These 
activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the
Class A Common Stock, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise 
prevail in the open market. These transactions may be effected on the New York
Stock Exchange or otherwise, and these activities, if commenced, may be 
discontinued at any time.
    
                               U-2           

<PAGE>
 ############################################################################# 
                              
                           CHAIRMAN'S RESERVE GRAPHIC OMITTED 

 ############################################################################# 

<PAGE>
   NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY 
REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, AND, IF GIVEN 
OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS 
HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL 
OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES OTHER THAN THE 
SECURITIES TO WHICH IT RELATES OR AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN 
OFFER TO BUY SUCH SECURITIES IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR 
SOLICITATION IS UNLAWFUL. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY 
SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION 
THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE 
HEREOF OR THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME 
SUBSEQUENT TO ITS DATE. 

                              TABLE OF CONTENTS 

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 PAGE 
                                              -------- 
<S>                                           <C>
Prospectus Summary ..........................      3 
Risk Factors ................................      9 
Use of Proceeds .............................     16 
Dividend Policy .............................     16 
Price Range of Class A Common Stock  ........     16 
Capitalization ..............................     17 
Selected Historical Financial Data ..........     18 
Management's Discussion and Analysis of 
 Financial Condition and Results of 
 Operations .................................     21 
Business ....................................     27 
Management ..................................     39 
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial 
 Holders ....................................     47 
Certain Relationships and Related 
 Transactions ...............................     48 
Description of Capital Stock ................     51 
Shares Eligible for Future Sale .............     54 
Description of Certain Indebtedness  ........     55 
Certain United States Tax Consequences 
 to Non-United States Holders ...............     57 
Legal Matters ...............................     58 
Experts .....................................     58 
Available Information .......................     59 
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements  .    F-1 
Underwriting ................................    U-1 
</TABLE>
    

   
                               5,000,000 SHARES 

                              CONSOLIDATED CIGAR 
                                HOLDINGS INC. 

                             CLASS A COMMON STOCK 
                         (PAR VALUE $0.01 PER SHARE) 

                                  PROSPECTUS 

                             GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO. 

                             MERRILL LYNCH & CO. 

                             MORGAN STANLEY & CO. 
                                 INCORPORATED 

                     REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNDERWRITERS 

    
<PAGE>
   
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A 
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY 
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT 
BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR 
THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE 
SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE 
UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF 
ANY SUCH STATE. 

                                   ALTERNATE PAGE FOR INTERNATIONAL PROSPECTUS 

                SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED FEBRUARY 28, 1997 
    

                               5,000,000 SHARES 

                       CONSOLIDATED CIGAR HOLDINGS INC. 

                             CLASS A COMMON STOCK 

                         (PAR VALUE $0.01 PER SHARE) 

   Of the 5,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock offered, 1,000,000 shares 
are being offered hereby in an international offering outside the United 
States and 4,000,000 shares are being offered in a concurrent United States 
offering. The initial public offering price and the aggregate underwriting 
discount per share will be identical for both offerings. See "Underwriting." 

   All of the shares of Class A Common Stock are being sold by Mafco 
Consolidated Group, Inc. (NYSE: MFO) ("Mafco Consolidated Group" or the 
"Selling Stockholder"), a corporation 85% owned by Ronald O. Perelman through 
his ownership of Mafco Holdings, Inc. ("Mafco Holdings"). The Company will 
not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares. 

   Each share of Class A Common Stock entitles its holder to one vote, and 
each share of Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Class B 
Common Stock" and, together with the Class A Common Stock, the "Common 
Stock"), of the Company entitles its holder to ten votes. All of the shares 
of Class B Common Stock are owned by Mafco Consolidated Group Inc. 
Immediately after consummation of the Offerings (assuming no exercise of the 
over-allotment options granted to the Underwriters), Mafco Consolidated Group 
will beneficially own shares of Class B Common Stock representing 
approximately 94.7% of the combined voting power of the outstanding shares of 
Common Stock. 

   
   The last reported sales price of the Common Stock, which is listed on the 
New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "CIG", on February 28, 1997 was 
$25 3/8 per share. See "Price Range of Class A Common Stock". 
    

   SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 9 FOR CERTAIN CONSIDERATIONS RELEVANT 
TO AN INVESTMENT IN THE CLASS A COMMON STOCK. 

THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND 
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES 
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE 
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY 
                            IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
                                                         PROCEEDS TO 
                   INITIAL PUBLIC      UNDERWRITING        SELLING 
                   OFFERING PRICE      DISCOUNT(1)      STOCKHOLDER(2) 
                ------------------  ----------------  ---------------- 
<S>             <C>                 <C>               <C>
Per Share ..... 
Total(3) ...... 
</TABLE>
    
- ------------ 

   (1) The Company and the Selling Stockholder have agreed to indemnify the 
       Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under 
       the Securities Act of 1933. 

   
   (2) Before deducting estimated exprenses of $700,000 to be paid by the 
       Selling Stockholder. 
    

   (3) The Selling Stockholder has granted the International Underwriters an 
       option for 30 days to purchase up to an additional 150,000 shares of 
       Class A Common Stock at the initial public offering price per share, 
       less the underwriting discount, solely to cover over-allotments. 
       Additionally, the Selling Stockholder has granted the U.S. Underwriters 
       a similar option with respect to an additional 600,000 shares as part 
       of the concurrent U.S. offering. If such options are exercised in full, 
       the total initial public offering price, underwriting discount and 
       proceeds to the Selling Stockholder will be $           , $ 
       and $           , respectively. See "Underwriting." 

   The shares offered hereby are offered severally by the International 
Underwriters, as specified herein, subject to receipt and acceptance by them 
and subject to their right to reject any order in whole or in part. It is 
expected that certificates for the shares will be ready for delivery in New 
York, New York, on or about          , 1997, against payment therefor in 
immediately available funds. 

GOLDMAN SACHS INTERNATIONAL 
                               MERRILL LYNCH INTERNATIONAL 
                                                          MORGAN STANLEY & CO. 
                                                                  INTERNATIONAL 

                 The date of this Prospectus is          , 1997. 

<PAGE>
   

                                  ALTERNATE PAGE FOR INTERNATIONAL PROSPECTUS

    

 ############################################################################# 

                         MONTECRISTO GRAPHIC OMITTED 

 ############################################################################# 

   This Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation 
of an offer to buy the shares in any jurisdiction in which such offer or 
solicitation is unlawful. There are restrictions on the offer and sale of the 
shares in the United Kingdom. All applicable provisions of the Financial 
Services Act 1986 and the Public Offers of Securities Regulations 1995 with 
respect to anything done by any person in relation to the shares, in, from or 
otherwise involving the United Kingdom must be complied with. See 
"Underwriting." 

   In this Prospectus, references to "dollars", "U.S.$" and "$" are to United 
States dollars. 

   IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERINGS, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR 
EFFECT TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE CLASS 
A COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY AT A LEVEL ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE 
PREVAIL IN THE OPEN MARKET. SUCH TRANSACTIONS MAY BE EFFECTED ON THE NEW YORK 
STOCK EXCHANGE, IN THE OVER-THE-COUNTER MARKET, OR OTHERWISE. SUCH 
STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME. 

<PAGE>
                                   ALTERNATE PAGE FOR INTERNATIONAL PROSPECTUS 

                                 UNDERWRITING 

   Subject to the terms and conditions of the International Underwriting 
Agreement, the Selling Stockholder has agreed to sell to each of the 
International Underwriters named below, and each of such International 
Underwriters, for whom Goldman Sachs International, Merrill Lynch 
International and Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited are acting as 
representatives (the "Representatives"), has severally agreed to purchase 
from the Selling Stockholder, the respective number of shares of Class A 
Common Stock set forth opposite its name below: 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    NUMBER OF 
                                                    SHARES OF 
                                                     CLASS A 
                                                   COMMON STOCK 
                                                ---------------- 
                  UNDERWRITER 
- ---------------------------------------------- 
<S>                                             <C>
Goldman Sachs International ................... 
Merrill Lynch International ................... 
Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited  ... 
                                                ---------------- 
  Total .......................................        1,000,000
                                                ================ 
</TABLE>
    

   Under the terms and conditions of the International Underwriting 
Agreement, the International Underwriters are committed to take and pay for 
all of the shares offered hereby, if any are taken. 

   The International Underwriters propose to offer the shares of Class A 
Common Stock in part directly to the public at the initial public offering 
price set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus and in part to certain 
dealers at such price less a concession of $     per share. The International 
Underwriters may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a concession not in 
excess of $     per share to certain brokers and dealers. After the shares of 
Class A Common Stock are released for sale to the public, the offering price 
and other selling terms may from time to time be varied by the 
Representatives. 

   
   The Company and the Selling Stockholder have entered into an underwriting 
agreement (the "U.S. Underwriting Agreement") with the underwriters of the U.S. 
Offering (the "U.S. Underwriters") providing for the concurrent offer and sale 
of 4,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock in a U.S. offering in the United 
States. The offering price and aggregate underwriting discounts and 
commissions per share for the Offerings are identical. The closing of the 
International Offering made hereby is a condition to the closing of the U.S. 
Offering, and vice versa. The representatives of the U.S. Underwriters are 
Goldman, Sachs & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and 
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated. 
    

   Pursuant to an Agreement between the U.S. and International Underwriting 
Syndicates (the "Agreement Between") relating to the Offerings, each of the 
U.S. Underwriters has agreed that, as a part of the distribution of the 
shares offered as part of the U.S. Offering and subject to certain 
exceptions, it will offer, sell or deliver the shares of Class A Common 
Stock, directly or indirectly, only in the United States of America 
(including the States and the District of Columbia), its territories, its 
possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction (the "United States") 
and to U.S. persons, which term shall mean, for purposes of this paragraph: 
(a) any individual who is a resident of the United States or (b) any 
corporation, partnership or other entity organized in or under the laws of 
the United States or any political subdivision thereof and whose office most 
directly involved with the purchase is located in the United States. Each of 
the International Underwriters named herein has agreed pursuant to the 
Agreement Between that, as a part of the distribution of the shares offered 
hereby and subject to certain exceptions, it will (i) not, directly or 
indirectly, offer, sell or deliver shares of Class A Common Stock (a) in the 
United States or to any U.S. persons or (b) to any person who it believes 
intends to reoffer, resell or deliver the shares in the United States or to 
any U.S. persons and (ii) cause any dealer to whom it may sell such shares at 
any concession to agree to observe a similar restriction. 

   Pursuant to the Agreement Between, sales may be made between the U.S. 
Underwriters and the International Underwriters of such number of shares of 
Class A Common Stock as may be mutually agreed. The price of any shares so 
sold shall be the initial public offering price, less an amount not greater 
than the selling concession. 

   The Selling Stockholder has granted the International Underwriters an 
option exercisable for 30 days after the date of this Prospectus to purchase 
up to an aggregate of 150,000 additional shares of 

                               U-1           
<PAGE>
                                   ALTERNATE PAGE FOR INTERNATIONAL PROSPECTUS 

Class A Common Stock solely to cover over-allotments, if any. If the 
International Underwriters exercise their over-allotment option, the 
International Underwriters have severally agreed, subject to certain 
conditions, to purchase approximately the same percentage thereof that the 
number of shares to be purchased by each of them, as shown in the foregoing 
table, bears to the 1,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock offered hereby. 
The Selling Stockholder has granted the U.S. Underwriters a similar option to 
purchase up to an aggregate of 600,000 additional shares of Class A Common 
Stock. 

   The Company and Mafco Consolidated Group have agreed that, subject to 
certain exceptions, during the period beginning from the date of this 
Prospectus and continuing to and including the date 90 days after the date of 
this Prospectus, they will not offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise 
dispose of any securities of the Company (other than pursuant to employee 
stock option or purchase plans existing, or on the conversion or exchange of 
convertible or exchangeable securities outstanding, on the date of this 
Prospectus) which are substantially similar to the shares of Class A Common 
Stock or which are convertible into or exchangeable for securities which are 
substantially similar to the shares of Class A Common Stock without the prior 
written consent of Goldman, Sachs & Co., except for the shares of Class A 
Common Stock offered in connection with the Offerings. 

   
   Each International Underwriter has also agreed that (a) it has not offered 
or sold and prior to the date six months after the date of issue of the 
shares of Class A Common Stock will not offer or sell any shares of Class A 
Common Stock to persons in the United Kingdom except to persons whose 
ordinary activities involve them in acquiring, holding, managing or disposing 
of investments (as principal or agent) for the purposes of their businesses 
or otherwise in circumstances which have not resulted and will not result in 
an offer to the public in the United Kingdom within the meaning of the Public 
Offers of Securities Regulations 1995, (b) it has complied, and will comply, 
with all applicable provisions of the Financial Services Act 1986 of Great 
Britain with respect to anything done by it in relation to the shares of 
Class A Common Stock in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom, and 
(c) it has only issued or passed on and will only issue or pass on in the 
United Kingdom any document received by it in connection with the issuance of 
shares of Class A Common Stock to a person who is of a kind described in 
Article 11(3) of the Financial Services Act 1986 (Investment Advertisements) 
(Exemptions) Order 1996 of Great Britain or is a person to whom the document 
may otherwise lawfully be issued or passed on. 
    

   Buyers of shares of Class A Common Stock offered hereby may be required to 
pay stamp taxes and other charges in accordance with the laws and practices 
of the country of purchase in addition to the initial public offering price. 

   The Company and the Selling Stockholder have agreed to indemnify the 
several Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under 
the Securities Act. 

   Certain of the International Underwriters and U.S. Underwriters and their 
affiliates participate on a regular basis in various general financing 
transactions for the Company and its affiliates. 


   
     During and following the Offerings, the Underwriters may purchase and/or
sell Class A Common Stock in the open market. These transactions may include
overallotment and stabilization transactions and purchases to cover syndicate
short positions created in connection with the Offerings. The Underwriters also
may impose a penalty bid, whereby selling concessions allowed to syndicate
members or other broker-dealers in respect of the Class A Common Stock sold
in the Offerings for their account may be reclaimed by the syndicate if such 
shares are repurchased by the syndicate in covering transactions. These 
activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the
Class A Common Stock, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise 
prevail in the open market. These transactions may be effected on the New York
Stock Exchange or otherwise, and these activities, if commenced, may be 
discontinued at any time.




    

                               U-2           
<PAGE>
                                   ALTERNATE PAGE FOR INTERNATIONAL PROSPECTUS 

NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY 
REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, AND, IF GIVEN 
OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS 
HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL 
OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES OTHER THAN THE 
SECURITIES TO WHICH IT RELATES OR AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN 
OFFER TO BUY SUCH SECURITIES IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR 
SOLICITATION IS UNLAWFUL. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY 
SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION 
THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE 
HEREOF OR THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME 
SUBSEQUENT TO ITS DATE. 

                              TABLE OF CONTENTS 

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 PAGE 
                                              -------- 
<S>                                           <C>
Prospectus Summary ..........................      3 
Risk Factors ................................      9 
Use of Proceeds .............................     16 
Dividend Policy .............................     16 
Price Range of Class A Common Stock  ........     16 
Capitalization ..............................     17 
Selected Historical Financial Data ..........     18 
Management's Discussion and Analysis of 
 Financial Condition and Results of 
 Operations .................................     21 
Business ....................................     27 
Management ..................................     39 
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial 
 Holders ....................................     47 
Certain Relationships and Related 
 Transactions ...............................     48 
Description of Capital Stock ................     51 
Shares Eligible for Future Sale .............     54 
Description of Certain Indebtedness  ........     55 
Certain United States Tax Consequences to 
 Non-United States Holders ..................     57 
Legal Matters ...............................     58 
Experts .....................................     58 
Available Information .......................     59 
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements  .    F-1 
Underwriting ................................    U-1 
</TABLE>
    

                               5,000,000 SHARES 

                              CONSOLIDATED CIGAR 
                                HOLDINGS INC. 

                             CLASS A COMMON STOCK 
                         (PAR VALUE $0.01 PER SHARE) 

                                  PROSPECTUS 

                         GOLDMAN SACHS INTERNATIONAL 

                         MERRILL LYNCH INTERNATIONAL 

                             MORGAN STANLEY & CO. 
                                INTERNATIONAL 

                     REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNDERWRITERS 

<PAGE>
                                   PART II 
                  INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS 

ITEM 13. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION. 

   The expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the 
securities being registered, other than underwriting discounts and 
commissions, are estimated as follows: 

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                   <C>
 Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fee   $ 39,972 
National Association of Securities Dealers  .........    13,691 
Printing and Engraving Expenses .....................   275,000 
Legal Fees and Expenses .............................   200,000 
Accounting Fees and Expenses ........................   150,000 
Transfer Agent and Registrar Fees ...................     3,500 
Miscellaneous .......................................    17,837 
                                                      --------- 
  Total .............................................  $700,000 
                                                      ========= 
</TABLE>
    

ITEM 14. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. 

   The Registrant is empowered by Section 145 of the General Corporation Law 
of the State of Delaware (the "DGCL"), subject to the procedures and 
limitations therein, to indemnify any person against expenses (including 
attorney's fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually 
and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with any threatened, 
pending or completed action, suit or proceeding in which such person is made 
a party by reason of such person being or having been a director, officer, 
employee or agent of the Registrant. The statute provides that 
indemnification pursuant to its provisions is not exclusive of other rights 
of indemnification to which a person may be entitled under any by-law, 
agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise. The 
Amended and Restated By-laws of the Registrant provide for indemnification by 
the Registrant of its directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted 
by the DGCL. 

   The foregoing statements are subject to the detailed provisions of the 
DGCL, the Registrant's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and 
the Registrant's Amended and Restated By-laws. Article X of the Registrant's 
Amended and Restated By-laws allow the Registrant to maintain director and 
officer liability insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director 
or officer of the Registrant or such person who serves or served as a 
director, officer, agent or employee, at another corporation, partnership or 
other enterprise at the request of the Registrant. 

   Pursuant to Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL, Article Fifth of the Amended 
and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant provides that no 
director of the Registrant shall be personally liable to the Registrant or 
its stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of his fiduciary duty as 
a director; provided, however, that such clause shall not apply to any 
liability of a director (1) for any breach of his duty of loyalty to the 
Registrant or its stockholders, (2) for acts or omissions that are not in 
good faith or involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the 
law, (3) under Section 174 of the DGCL, or (4) for any transaction from which 
the director derived an improper personal benefit. 

ITEM 15. RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES. 

   
   There have been no sales of unregistered securities by the Registrant 
within the past three years. 
    

                               II-1           
<PAGE>
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES. 

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT NO.  DESCRIPTION 
- ------------  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
<S>           <C>
     *1.1     Form of Underwriting Agreements. 
    **3.1     Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant. 
    **3.2     Amended and Restated By-laws of Registrant. 
      4.1     Specimen Certificate of Class A Common Stock (incorporated by reference from 
              Exhibit 4.1 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration 
              No. 333-6819)). 
      4.2     Indenture by and between Consolidated Cigar Corporation and Continental Bank, 
              National Association, as Trustee, relating to the Senior Subordinated Notes 
              due 2003 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3 to Registrant's 
              Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-6819)). 
     *5.1     Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP as to legality of the 
              Class A Common Stock. 
     10.1     Credit Agreement between Consolidated Cigar Corporation and The Chase 
              Manhattan Bank, N.A., dated as of February 23, 1993 (incorporated by 
              reference from Exhibit 10.2 to Amendment No. 2 of Consolidated Cigar 
              Corporation's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 
              33-56902)). 
     10.1(a)  Amendment No. 1 to the Credit Agreement, dated as of March 2, 1993 
              (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2(a) to Consolidated Cigar 
              Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 
              31, 1993). 
     10.1(b)  Amendment No. 2 to the Credit Agreement, dated as of March 12, 1993 
              (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2(b) to Consolidated Cigar 
              Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 
              31, 1993). 
     10.1(c)  Amendment No. 3 to the Credit Agreement, dated as of March 17, 1993 
              (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2(c) to Consolidated Cigar 
              Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 
              31, 1993). 
     10.1(d)  Amendment No. 4 to the Credit Agreement, dated as of April 5, 1993 
              (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2(d) to Consolidated Cigar 
              Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 
              31, 1993). 
     10.1(e)  Amendment No. 5 to the Credit Agreement, dated as of June 15, 1993 
              (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2(e) to Consolidated Cigar 
              Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 
              31, 1993). 
     10.1(f)  Amendment No. 6 to the Credit Agreement, dated as of September 12, 1994 
              (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2(f) to Consolidated Cigar 
              Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 
              31, 1994). 
     10.1(g)  Amendment No. 7 to the Credit Agreement, dated as of May 31, 1995 
              (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2(g) to Consolidated Cigar 
              Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 
              31, 1995). 
     10.1(h)  Amendment No. 8 to the Credit Agreement dated as of October 18, 1995 
              (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2(h) to Consolidated Cigar 
              Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 
              31, 1995). 
     10.1(i)  Amendment No. 9 to the Credit Agreement dated as of March 13, 1996 
              (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2(i) to Registrant's Registration 
              Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-6819)). 
     10.1(j)  Amendment No. 10 to the Credit Agreement dated as of July 31, 1996 
              (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2(j) to Registrant's Registration 
              Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-6819)). 
    *10.1(k)  Amendment No. 11 to the Credit Agreement dated as of February 3, 1997. 

                               II-2           
<PAGE>
 EXHIBIT NO.  DESCRIPTION 
- ------------  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    10.2(a)   Employment Agreement, dated July 1, 1995, between Mafco Consolidated Group 
              Inc. and Theo W. Folz (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.34 to Mafco 
              Consolidated Group Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year 
              ended December 31, 1995). 
    10.2(b)   First Amendment, dated February 29, 1996, to the Employment Agreement, dated 
              July 1, 1995, between Mafco Consolidated Group Inc. and Theo W. Folz 
              (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.35 to Mafco Consolidated Group 
              Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 
              1995). 
    10.2(c)   Second Amendment, dated August 1, 1996, to the Employment Agreement, dated 
              July 1, 1995, between Mafco Consolidated Group Inc. and Theo W. Folz 
              (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.4(c) to Registrant's Registration 
              Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-6819)). 
  **10.3      Employment Agreement, dated August 1, 1996, between Consolidated Cigar 
              Corporation and Richard L. DiMeola. 
    10.4      Employment Agreement, dated August 1, 1996, between Consolidated Cigar 
              Corporation and Gary R. Ellis (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.9 to 
              Amendment No. 1 of Mafco Consolidated Group Inc.'s Registration Statement on 
              Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-15257)). 
  **10.5      Employment Agreement, dated July 1, 1996, between Consolidated Cigar 
              Corporation and James L. Colucci. 
  **10.6      Employment Agreement, dated August 1, 1996, between Consolidated Cigar 
              Corporation and George F. Gershel, Jr. 
    10.7      Employment Agreement, dated July 1, 1995, between Consolidated Cigar 
              Corporation and Denis F. McQuillen (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 
              10.7 to Consolidated Cigar Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 
              fiscal year ended December 31, 1995). 
    10.8      Reimbursement Agreement, dated as of March 3, 1993, between Consolidated 
              Cigar Corporation and Mafco Holdings Inc. (incorporated by reference from 
              Exhibit 10.10 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 
              (Registration No. 333-6819)). 
    10.9      Amended and Restated Tax Sharing Agreement entered into as of June 15, 1995 
              by and among Mafco Holdings Inc., Mafco Consolidated Group Inc., the 
              Registrant and Consolidated Cigar Corporation and its subsidiaries 
              (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.10(a) to Consolidated Cigar 
              Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 
              31, 1995). 
    10.10     Consolidated Cigar Holdings Inc. 1996 Stock Plan (incorporated by reference 
              from Exhibit 10.12 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 
              (Registration No. 333-6819)). 
    10.11     Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of August 21, 1996, between the 
              Registrant and Mafco Consolidated Group Inc. (incorporated by reference from 
              Exhibit 10.22 to Amendment No. 1 to Mafco Consolidated Group Inc.'s 
              Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-15257)). 
    10.12     Registrant's Promissory Note (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.5 to 
              Amendment No. 1 to Mafco Consolidated Group Inc.'s Registration Statement on 
              Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-15257)). 
    10.13     Pension Plan Merger Agreement into Abex Retirement Plan (incorporated by 
              reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Consolidated Cigar Corporation's Annual Report 
              on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995). 
    10.14(a)  Guarantee and Security Agreement, dated as of March 3, 1993, between the 
              Registrant and The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. (incorporated by reference from 
              Exhibit 10.16(a) to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 
              (Registration No. 333-6819)). 
    10.14(b)  First Amendment to Guarantee and Security Agreement, dated as of July 31, 
              1996 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.16(b) to Registrant's 
              Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-6819)). 

                               II-3           
<PAGE>
 EXHIBIT NO.  DESCRIPTION 
- ------------  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
     10.15    Executive Employment Agreement, dated as of August 1, 1996, between 
              Consolidated Cigar Corporation and Theo W. Folz (incorporated by reference 
              from Exhibit 10.17 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 
              (Registration No. 333-6819)). 
    *21.1     Subsidiaries of the Registrant. 
    *23.1     Consent of Ernst & Young LLP. 
    *23.2     Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (included in the opinion 
              filed as Exhibit 5.1 hereto). 
   **24.1     Powers of Attorney. 
</TABLE>
    

- ------------ 

     * Filed herewith 

   
    ** Filed on January 30, 1997. 

    

   (b) Financial Statement Schedules: 

   Schedule I--Condensed Financial Information of Registrant 

   Schedule II--Valuation and Qualifying Accounts. 

ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS. 

   The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that: 

   (1) That for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities 
Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as 
part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained 
in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424 (b)(1) 
or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this 
registration statement as of the time it was declared effective; and 

   (2) That for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities 
Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus 
shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities 
offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be 
deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. 

   Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities 
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons 
of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the registrant has 
been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission 
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, 
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification 
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of 
expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the 
registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is 
asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with 
the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion 
of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit 
to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such 
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and 
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. 

                               II-4           
<PAGE>
                                  SIGNATURES 

   
   Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant 
has duly caused this amendment to the Registration Statement to be signed on 
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New 
York, State of New York, on February 28, 1997. 
    

                                          CONSOLIDATED CIGAR HOLDINGS INC. 
                                          By: /s/ Gary R. Ellis 
                                             ------------------------------- 
                                              Gary R. Ellis 
                                              Senior Vice President 
                                              and Chief Financial Officer 

   
   Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this amendment 
to the Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the 
capacities and on the dates indicated. 
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
              NAME                                 TITLE                             DATE 
- ------------------------------  ------------------------------------------  -------------------- 
<S>                             <C>                                         <C>

               *                Chairman of the Board of Directors            February 28, 1997 
 ------------------------------ 
       Ronald O. Perelman 

               *                Director                                      February 28, 1997 
 ------------------------------ 
          Howard Gittis 

               *                Director                                      February 28, 1997 
 ------------------------------ 
        Donald G. Drapkin 

               *                Director                                      February 28, 1997 
 ------------------------------ 
         Lee A. Iacocca 

               *                Director                                      February 28, 1997 
 ------------------------------ 
   Robert Sargent Shriver III 

               *                President, Chief Executive Officer and        February 28, 1997 
 ------------------------------ Director (Principal Executive Officer) 
          Theo W. Folz 

       /s/ Gary R. Ellis        Senior Vice President and Chief Financial     February 28, 1997 
 ------------------------------ Officer (Principal Financial Officer) 
          Gary R. Ellis 

               *                Vice President and Controller                 February 28, 1997 
 ------------------------------ (Principal Accounting Officer) 
      James M. Parnofiello 

</TABLE>
    

   
   *Joram C. Salig, by signing his name hereto, does hereby execute this 
amendment to the Registration Statement on behalf of the directors and 
officers of the Registrant indicated above by asterisks, pursuant to powers 
of attorney duly executed by such directors and officers and filed as 
exhibits to the Registration Statement. 
    

                                          By: /s/ Joram C. Salig 
                                             ------------------------------- 
                                              Joram C. Salig 
                                              Attorney-in-Fact 

                               II-5           
<PAGE>
               REPORT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

   
The Board of Directors and Stockholders 
Consolidated Cigar Holdings Inc. 

   We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Consolidated 
Cigar Holdings Inc. (formerly Consolidated Cigar (Parent) Holdings Inc.) and 
subsidiaries as of December 31, 1995 and 1996, and for each of the three 
years in the period ended December 31, 1996, and have issued our report 
thereon dated January 28, 1997 (included elsewhere in this Registration 
Statement). Our audits also included the financial statement schedules listed 
in Item 16(b) of this Registration Statement. These schedules are the 
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express 
an opinion based on our audits. 
    

   In our opinion, the financial statement schedules referred to above, when 
considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, 
present fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein. 

                                          Ernst & Young LLP 

   
Miami, Florida 
January 28, 1997 
    

                               S-1           
<PAGE>
                                                                    SCHEDULE I 

                CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT 
                         BALANCE SHEETS (PARENT ONLY) 
                  (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA) 

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         DECEMBER 31, 
                                                                    --------------------- 
                                                                       1995        1996 
                                                                     --------  ---------- 
<S>                                                                 <C>        <C>
                               ASSETS 
Investment in subsidiary including cumulative income and net of 
 distributions ....................................................   $54,328    $ 71,355 
                                                                     --------  ---------- 
                                                                      $54,328    $ 71,355 
                                                                     ========  ========== 
                LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 
Promissory note due to affiliate ..................................   $          $ 70,000 
Common stock, par value $1, 1,000 shares authorized, issued and 
 outstanding ......................................................         1          -- 
Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share; 300,000,000 
 shares authorized, 6,075,000 shares issued and outstanding  ......        --          61 
Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share; 250,000,000 
 shares authorized, 24,600,000 shares issued and outstanding  .....        --         246 
Additional paid-in capital (capital deficiency) ...................    34,834     (13,314) 
Retained earnings .................................................    19,493      14,362 
                                                                    ---------  ---------- 
    Total stockholders' equity ....................................    54,328       1,355 
                                                                    ---------  ---------- 
                                                                      $54,328    $ 71,355 
                                                                    =========  ========== 
</TABLE>
    

                               S-2           
<PAGE>
                                                                    SCHEDULE I 

                CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT 
                    STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (PARENT ONLY) 
                            (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) 

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 
                                     1994      1995       1996 
                                  ---------  --------  --------- 
<S>                               <C>       <C>        <C>
Equity in earnings of subsidiary    $7,684    $13,930    $29,795 
                                   -------  ---------  --------- 
 Net income .....................   $7,684    $13,930    $29,795 
                                   =======  =========  ========= 
</TABLE>
    

                               S-3           
<PAGE>


                                                                    SCHEDULE I 

                CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT 
                    STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (PARENT ONLY) 
                            (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) 


   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 
                                              --------------------------------- 
                                                 1994       1995        1996 
                                              ---------  ---------  ----------- 
<S>                                           <C>        <C>        <C>
Cash flows from operating activities: 
 Net income .................................   $ 7,684    $13,930    $  29,795 
 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net 
  cash flows from operating activities: 
   Equity in earnings of subsidiary in 
   excess of cash distributions .............    (7,684)    (8,930)     (17,027) 
                                                -------  ---------  ----------- 
                                                 (7,684)    (8,930)     (17,027) 
                                               --------  ---------  ----------- 
Net cash flows from operating activities  ...        --      5,000       12,768 
                                               --------  ---------  ----------- 
Cash flows from financing activities: 
 Net proceeds from initial public offering  .        --         --      127,809 
 Cash dividends paid ........................        --     (5,000)    (140,577) 
                                               --------  ---------  ----------- 
 Net cash flows from financing activities  ..        --     (5,000)     (12,768) 
                                               --------  ---------  ----------- 
 Net increase in cash and cash equivalents  .        --         --           -- 
 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of 
   year .....................................        --         --           -- 
                                               --------  ---------  ----------- 
 Cash and cash equivalents at end of year  ..   $    --    $    --    $      -- 
                                               ========  =========  =========== 
Supplemental disclosure of non cash 
 financing activity: 
 Promissory note dividend ...................   $    --    $    --    $  70,000 
 Contribution to capital by parent ...........  $    --    $ 4,835    $      -- 
</TABLE>
    

                               S-4           
<PAGE>
                                                                   SCHEDULE II 

   
              CONSOLIDATED CIGAR HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
                      VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS 
             FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994, 1995 AND 1996 
                            (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) 
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               ADDITIONS 
                                                             ------------ 
                                                 BALANCE AT    CHARGED TO                    BALANCE 
                                                 BEGINNING     COSTS AND     DEDUCTIONS      AT END 
                  DESCRIPTION                    OF PERIOD      EXPENSES         (1)        OF PERIOD 
- ---------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------  -------------  ----------- 
<S>                                            <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>
DECEMBER 31, 1994: 
Allowance for doubtful accounts 
 (deducted from Accounts receivable)  ........     $  754        $  200         $ 86         $  868 
                                               ============  ============  =============  =========== 
Allowance for cash discounts and sales return 
 (deducted from Accounts receivable)  ........     $2,734        $   --         $ --         $2,734 
                                               ============  ============  =============  =========== 
Inventory Reserves (deducted from Inventory)       $  514        $  247         $ --         $  761 
                                               ============  ============  =============  =========== 
DECEMBER 31, 1995: 
Allowance for doubtful accounts 
 (deducted from Accounts receivable)  ........     $  868        $  150         $ 80         $  938 
                                               ============  ============  =============  =========== 
Allowance for cash discounts and sales return 
 (deducted from Accounts receivable)  ........     $2,734        $  650         $ --         $3,384 
                                               ============  ============  =============  =========== 
Inventory Reserves (deducted from Inventory)       $  761        $  198         $137         $  822 
                                               ============  ============  =============  =========== 
DECEMBER 31, 1996: 
Allowance for doubtful accounts 
 (deducted from Accounts receivable)  ........     $  938        $  150         $425         $  663 
                                                             ============  =============  =========== 
Allowance for cash discounts and sales return 
 (deducted from Accounts receivable ..........     $3,384        $1,557         $ --         $4,941 
                                               ============  ============  =============  =========== 
Inventory Reserves (deducted from Inventory)       $  822        $  818         $339         $1,301 
                                               ============  ============  =============  =========== 
</TABLE>
    

- ------------ 

   
   (1) Write-off against reserve 
    

                               S-5           
<PAGE>
                                EXHIBIT INDEX 

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  EXHIBIT NO.                                          DESCRIPTION                                          PAGE NO. 
- ---------------  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------ 
<S>              <C>                                                                                     <C>
     *1.1        Form of Underwriting Agreements. 
    **3.1        Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant. 
    **3.2        Amended and Restated By-laws of Registrant. 
      4.1        Specimen Certificate of Class A Common Stock (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 
                 4.1 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-6819)). 
      4.2        Indenture by and between Consolidated Cigar Corporation and Continental Bank, National 
                 Association, as Trustee, relating to the Senior Subordinated Notes due 2003 
                 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3 to Registrant's Registration Statement on 
                 Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-6819)). 
     *5.1        Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP as to legality of the Class A 
                 Common Stock. 
     10.1        Credit Agreement between Consolidated Cigar Corporation and The Chase Manhattan Bank, 
                 N.A., dated as of February 23, 1993 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to 
                 Amendment No. 2 of Consolidated Cigar Corporation's Registration Statement on Form S-1 
                 (Registration No. 33-56902)). 
     10.1(a)     Amendment No. 1 to the Credit Agreement, dated as of March 2, 1993 (incorporated by 
                 reference from Exhibit 10.2(a) to Consolidated Cigar Corporation's Annual Report on 
                 Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993). 
     10.1(b)     Amendment No. 2 to the Credit Agreement, dated as of March 12, 1993 (incorporated by 
                 reference from Exhibit 10.2(b) to Consolidated Cigar Corporation's Annual Report on 
                 Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993). 
     10.1(c)     Amendment No. 3 to the Credit Agreement, dated as of March 17, 1993 (incorporated by 
                 reference from Exhibit 10.2(c) to Consolidated Cigar Corporation's Annual Report on 
                 Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993). 
     10.1(d)     Amendment No. 4 to the Credit Agreement, dated as of April 5, 1993 (incorporated by 
                 reference from Exhibit 10.2(d) to Consolidated Cigar Corporation's Annual Report on 
                 Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993). 
     10.1(e)     Amendment No. 5 to the Credit Agreement, dated as of June 15, 1993 (incorporated by 
                 reference from Exhibit 10.2(e) to Consolidated Cigar Corporation's Annual Report on 
                 Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993). 
     10.1(f)     Amendment No. 6 to the Credit Agreement, dated as of September 12, 1994 (incorporated 
                 by reference from Exhibit 10.2(f) to Consolidated Cigar Corporation's Annual Report on 
                 Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994). 
     10.1(g)     Amendment No. 7 to the Credit Agreement, dated as of May 31, 1995 (incorporated by 
                 reference from Exhibit 10.2(g) to Consolidated Cigar Corporation's Annual Report on 
                 Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995). 
     10.1(h)     Amendment No. 8 to the Credit Agreement dated as of October 18, 1995 (incorporated by 
                 reference from Exhibit 10.2(h) to Consolidated Cigar Corporation's Annual Report on 
                 Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995). 
     10.1(i)     Amendment No. 9 to the Credit Agreement dated as of March 13, 1996 (incorporated by 
                 reference from Exhibit 10.2(i) to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 
                 (Registration No. 333-6819)). 
     10.1(j)     Amendment No. 10 to the Credit Agreement dated as of July 31, 1996 (incorporated by 
                 reference from Exhibit 10.2(j) to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 
                 (Registration No. 333-6819)). 
<PAGE>
  EXHIBIT NO.                                          DESCRIPTION                                          PAGE NO. 
- ---------------  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------ 
    *10.1(k)     Amendment No. 11 to the Credit Agreement dated as of February 3, 1997. 
     10.2(a)     Employment Agreement, dated July 1, 1995, between Mafco Consolidated Group Inc. and 
                 Theo W. Folz (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.34 to Mafco Consolidated Group 
                 Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995). 
     10.2(b)     First Amendment, dated February 29, 1996, to the Employment Agreement, dated July 1, 
                 1995, between Mafco Consolidated Group Inc. and Theo W. Folz (incorporated by 
                 reference from Exhibit 10.35 to Mafco Consolidated Group Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 
                 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995). 
     10.2(c)     Second Amendment, dated August 1, 1996, to the Employment Agreement, dated July 1, 
                 1995, between Mafco Consolidated Group Inc. and Theo W. Folz (incorporated by 
                 reference from Exhibit 10.4(c) to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 
                 (Registration No. 333-6819)). 
   **10.3        Employment Agreement, dated August 1, 1996, between Consolidated Cigar Corporation and 
                 Richard L. DiMeola. 
     10.4        Employment Agreement, dated August 1, 1996, between Consolidated Cigar Corporation and 
                 Gary R. Ellis (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.9 to Amendment No. 1 of Mafco 
                 Consolidated Group Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 
                 333-15257)). 
   **10.5        Employment Agreement, dated July 1, 1996, between Consolidated Cigar Corporation and 
                 James L. Colucci. 
   **10.6        Employment Agreement, dated August 1, 1996, between Consolidated Cigar Corporation and 
                 George F. Gershel, Jr. 
     10.7        Employment Agreement, dated July 1, 1995, between Consolidated Cigar Corporation and 
                 Denis F. McQuillen (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.7 to Consolidated Cigar 
                 Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995). 
     10.8        Reimbursement Agreement, dated as of March 3, 1993, between Consolidated Cigar 
                 Corporation and Mafco Holdings Inc. (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.10 to 
                 Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-6819)). 
     10.9        Amended and Restated Tax Sharing Agreement entered into as of June 15, 1995 by and 
                 among Mafco Holdings Inc., Mafco Consolidated Group Inc., the Registrant and 
                 Consolidated Cigar Corporation and its subsidiaries (incorporated by reference from 
                 Exhibit 10.10(a) to Consolidated Cigar Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 
                 the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995). 
     10.10       Consolidated Cigar Holdings Inc. 1996 Stock Plan (incorporated by reference from 
                 Exhibit 10.12 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 
                 333-6819)). 
     10.11       Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of August 21, 1996, between the Registrant and 
                 Mafco Consolidated Group Inc. (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.22 to 
                 Amendment No. 1 to Mafco Consolidated Group Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-1 
                 (Registration No. 333-15257)). 
     10.12       Registrant's Promissory Note (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.5 to Amendment 
                 No. 1 to Mafco Consolidated Group Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-1 
                 (Registration No. 333-15257)). 
<PAGE>
  EXHIBIT NO.                                          DESCRIPTION                                          PAGE NO. 
- ---------------  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------ 
     10.13       Pension Plan Merger Agreement into Abex Retirement Plan (incorporated by reference 
                 from Exhibit 10.1 to Consolidated Cigar Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 
                 the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995). 
     10.14(a)    Guarantee and Security Agreement, dated as of March 3, 1993, between the Registrant 
                 and The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.16(a) to 
                 Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-6819)). 
     10.14(b)    First Amendment to Guarantee and Security Agreement, dated as of July 31, 1996 
                 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.16(b) to Registrant's Registration 
                 Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-6819)). 
     10.15       Executive Employment Agreement, dated as of August 1, 1996, between Consolidated Cigar 
                 Corporation and Theo W. Folz (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.17 to 
                 Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-6819)). 
    *21.1        Subsidiaries of the Registrant. 
    *23.1        Consent of Ernst & Young LLP. 
    *23.2        Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (included in the opinion filed as 
                 Exhibit 5.1 hereto). 
   **24.1        Powers of Attorney. 
</TABLE>
    

- ------------ 
   
     * Filed herewith. 

    ** Filed on January 30, 1997. 


    







<PAGE>
                       CONSOLIDATED CIGAR HOLDINGS INC. 

                             CLASS A COMMON STOCK 
                          (PAR VALUE $.01 PER SHARE) 

                          --------------------------

                            UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT 
                                (U.S. VERSION) 

                          --------------------------


                                                                 March  , 1997 

Goldman, Sachs & Co. 
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated 
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated 
 As representatives of the several Underwriters 
  named in Schedule I hereto, 
c/o Goldman, Sachs & Co. 
85 Broad Street 
New York, New York 10004 

Ladies and Gentlemen: 

   Mafco Consolidated Group Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Selling 
Stockholder"), proposes, subject to the terms and conditions stated herein, 
to sell to the Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto (the "Underwriters") 
an aggregate of 4,000,000 shares (the "Firm Shares") and, at the election of 
the Underwriters, up to 600,000 additional shares (the "Optional Shares") of 
Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share ("Stock"), of Consolidated 
Cigar Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company") (the Firm Shares 
and the Optional Shares that the Underwriters elect to purchase pursuant to 
Section 2 hereof being collectively called the "Shares"). 

   It is understood and agreed to by all parties that the Company and the 
Selling Stockholder are concurrently entering into an agreement (the 
"International Underwriting Agreement") providing for the sale by the Selling 
Stockholder of up to a total of 1,150,000 shares of Stock (the "International 
Shares"), including the over-allotment option thereunder, through 
arrangements with certain underwriters outside the United States (the 
"International Underwriters"), for whom Goldman Sachs International, Merrill 
Lynch International and Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited are acting 
as lead managers. Anything herein or therein to the contrary notwithstanding, 
the respective closings under this Agreement and the International 
Underwriting Agreement are hereby expressly made conditional on one another. 
The Underwriters hereunder and the International Underwriters are 
simultaneously entering into an Agreement between U.S. and International 
Underwriting Syndicates (the "Agreement between Syndicates") which provides, 
among other things, for the transfer of shares of Stock between the two 
syndicates. Two forms of prospectus are to be used in connection with the 
offering and sale of shares of Stock contemplated by the foregoing, one 
relating to the Shares hereunder and the other relating to the International 
Shares. The latter form of prospectus will be identical to the former except 
for certain substitute pages as included in the registration statement and 
amendments thereto as mentioned below. Except as used in Sections 2, 3, 4, 9 
and 11 herein, and except as the context may otherwise require, references 
hereinafter to the Shares shall include all the shares of Stock which may be 
sold pursuant to either this Agreement or the International Underwriting 
Agreement, and references herein to any prospectus whether in preliminary or 
final form, and whether as amended or supplemented, shall include both the 
U.S. and the international versions thereof. 

   1. (a) The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, each of 
the Underwriters that: 

   (i) A registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-20743) (the 
"Initial Registration Agreement") in respect of the Shares has been filed 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commis- 


<PAGE>
sion"); the Initial Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment 
thereto, each in the form heretofore delivered to you, and, excluding 
exhibits thereto, to you for each of the other Underwriters, have been 
declared effective by the Commission in such form; other than a registration 
statement, if any, increasing the size of the offering (a "Rule 462(b) 
Registration Statement"), filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities 
Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), which became effective upon filing, no 
other document with respect to the Initial Registration Statement has 
heretofore been filed with the Commission; and no stop order suspending the 
effectiveness of the Initial Registration Statement, any post-effective 
amendment thereto or the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, if any, has been 
issued and no proceeding for that purpose has been initiated or threatened by 
the Commission (any preliminary prospectus included in the Initial 
Registration Statement or filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(a) 
of the rules and regulations of the Commission under the Act, is hereinafter 
called a "Preliminary Prospectus"; the various parts of the Initial 
Registration Statement and the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, if any, 
including all exhibits thereto and including the information contained in the 
form of final prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) 
under the Act in accordance with Section 5(a) hereof and deemed by virtue of 
Rule 430A under the Act to be part of the Initial Registration Statement at 
the time it was declared effective or such part of the Rule 462(b) 
Registration Statement, if any, became or hereafter becomes effective, each 
as amended at the time such part of the registration statement became 
effective, are hereinafter collectively called the "Registration Statement"; 
and such final prospectus, in the form first filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) 
under the Act, is hereinafter called the "Prospectus"; 

   (ii) No order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary 
Prospectus has been issued by the Commission, and the Preliminary Prospectus 
dated February 28, 1997, at the time of filing thereof, conformed in all 
material respects to the requirements of the Act and the rules and 
regulations of the Commission thereunder, and, as of its date, did not 
contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material 
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements 
therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not 
misleading; provided, however, that this representation and warranty shall 
not apply to any statements in or omissions from the Preliminary Prospectus 
made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing 
to the Company by an Underwriter through Goldman, Sachs & Co. expressly for 
use therein; 

   (iii) The Registration Statement conforms, and the Prospectus and any 
further amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or the 
Prospectus will conform, in all material respects to the requirements of the 
Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and do not and 
will not, as of the applicable effective date as to the Registration 
Statement and any amendment thereto and as of the applicable filing date as 
to the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto, contain an untrue 
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be 
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; 
provided, however, that this representation and warranty shall not apply to 
any statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement or the 
Prospectus made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished 
in writing to the Company by an Underwriter through Goldman, Sachs & Co. 
expressly for use therein; 

   (iv) Neither the Company nor any of its significant subsidiaries (as 
defined in Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X of the Commission) and each 
subsidiary of the Company which is subject to material contracts (each of 
such corporations or other legal entities being hereinafter referred to as a 
"Subsidiary" and all such corporations or other legal entities being, 
collectively, the "Subsidiaries") has sustained since the date of the latest 
audited financial statements included in the Prospectus any loss or 
interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, 
whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or 
governmental action, order or decree, otherwise than as set forth in or 
contemplated by the Prospectus and other than such losses or interferences 
which would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse 
effect on the condition, financial or otherwise, earnings, business affairs 
or business prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one 
enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business (a 
"Material Adverse Effect"); and, since the respective dates as of which 
information is given in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, there 
has not been any change in the capital stock or long-term debt of 

                                2           
<PAGE>
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any material adverse change in or 
affecting the business affairs, business prospects, management, consolidated 
financial position, stockholders' equity or results of operations of the 
Company and its Subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, in each case, 
otherwise than as set forth in or contemplated by the Prospectus; 

   (v) The Company and its Subsidiaries have good and marketable title in fee 
simple to all real property and good title to all personal property owned by 
them, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects 
except (i) such as are described in the Prospectus, (ii) liens arising under 
the Credit Agreement (as such term is defined in the Prospectus) or (iii) 
such as do not materially interfere with the Company's ability to conduct its 
business as described in the Prospectus or with the use made and proposed to 
be made of such property by the Company and its Subsidiaries; and any real 
property and buildings identified in the Prospectus as held under lease by 
the Company or its Subsidiaries are held by them under valid, subsisting and 
enforceable leases, except where the failure to be valid, subsisting and 
enforceable would not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably likely 
to have a Material Adverse Effect; 

   (vi) The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a 
corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware with 
power and authority (corporate and other) to own its properties and conduct 
its business as described in the Prospectus, and has been duly qualified as a 
foreign corporation for the transaction of business and is in good standing 
under the laws of each other jurisdiction in which it owns or leases 
properties or conducts any business so as to require such qualification, 
except where the failure to be so qualified or be in good standing would not 
have a Material Adverse Effect; and each Subsidiary of the Company has been 
duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing 
under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, except where the failure 
to be in good standing would not have a Material Adverse Effect and except 
for jurisdictions not recognizing the legal concept of good standing; 

   (vii) The authorized, issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company 
is as set forth in the Prospectus under the caption "Capitalization" (except 
for the conversion of the shares of Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per 
share (the "Class B Stock"), of the Company into the Shares to be sold by the 
Selling Stockholder pursuant to this Agreement or the International 
Underwriting Agreement, subsequent issuances, if any, pursuant to the 
Company's stock option plan or otherwise referred to in or contemplated by 
the Prospectus) and conforms to the description of the capital stock 
contained in the Prospectus; the shares of issued and outstanding Stock and 
Class B Stock described in the Prospectus under the caption "Capitalization" 
have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and 
non-assessable; and all of the issued shares of capital stock of each 
Subsidiary of the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued, are 
fully paid and non-assessable and (except for directors' qualifying shares 
and except as set forth in or contemplated by the Prospectus) are owned 
directly or indirectly by the Company, free and clear of all liens, 
encumbrances, equities or claims, except for liens arising under the Credit 
Agreement (as defined in the Prospectus) and related security agreements; 

   (viii) The compliance by the Company with all of the provisions of this 
Agreement and the International Underwriting Agreement and the consummation 
of the transactions herein and therein contemplated will not conflict with or 
result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or 
constitute a default under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan 
agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its 
Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is 
bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its 
Subsidiaries is subject, nor will such action result in any violation of the 
provisions of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the 
"Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation") or the Amended and 
Restated By-laws of the Company (in substantially the form filed as an 
exhibit to the Registration Statement (the "Amended and Restated By-laws")) 
or any statute or any order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental 
agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its 
Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties, except for (other than in 
the case of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the 
Amended and Restated By-laws) such conflicts, breaches, violations or 
defaults which would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material 
Adverse Effect; and no consent, approval, authorization, order, registration 
or qualification of or with any 

                                3           
<PAGE>
such court or governmental agency or body is required for the issue and sale 
of the Shares or the consummation by the Company of the transactions 
contemplated by this Agreement and the International Underwriting Agreement, 
except the registration under the Act and under the Securities Exchange Act 
of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), of the Shares and such consents, 
approvals, authorizations, registrations or qualifications as may be required 
under state or foreign securities or Blue Sky laws or by the rules and 
regulations of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the 
"NASD") in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Shares by the 
Underwriters and the International Underwriters; 

   (ix) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is (i) in violation 
of its certificate of incorporation or by-laws or similar constituent 
instrument or (ii) in default in the performance or observance of any 
material obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any 
indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, lease or other agreement 
or instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties 
may be bound, except in the case of (ii), such defaults that would not, 
individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect; 

   (x) Other than as set forth in or contemplated by the Prospectus, there 
are no legal or governmental proceedings pending to which the Company or any 
of its Subsidiaries is a party or of which any property of the Company or any 
of its Subsidiaries is the subject which would, individually or in the 
aggregate, be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect; and, to 
the best of the Company's knowledge, no such proceedings are threatened by 
governmental authorities or by others; 

   (xi) No labor dispute with the employees of the Company or any of its 
Subsidiaries exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent that 
would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect; 

   (xii) Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries (i) is in material 
compliance with all applicable federal, state and local environmental laws 
and regulations, including, without limitation, those applicable to human 
health and safety, emissions to the environment, waste management, and waste 
disposal (collectively, the "Environmental Laws"), and (ii) has received, and 
is in material compliance with, all permits, licenses or other approvals 
required of it under applicable Environmental Laws, except for such 
noncompliance or failure to receive such license, permit or other approval as 
is not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, or except as 
disclosed in the Prospectus, and to the knowledge of the Company, there are 
no circumstances that would prevent, interfere with or materially increase 
the cost of such compliance in the future; 

   (xiii) Except as disclosed in the Prospectus, there is no claim under any 
Environmental Law, including common law, pending or threatened against the 
Company or its Subsidiaries (an "Environmental Claim") which would be 
reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect and, to the knowledge of 
the Company, under applicable law, there are no past or present actions, 
activities, circumstances, events or incidents, including, without 
limitation, releases of any material into the environment, that are 
reasonably likely to form the basis of any such Environmental Claim against 
the Company or its Subsidiaries, which, would be reasonably likely to have a 
Material Adverse Effect; 

   (xiv) Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has and will maintain 
insurance covering its properties, operations, personnel and businesses, 
which insurance is in amounts and insures against such losses and risks, in 
each case as is in accordance with customary industry practice to protect the 
Company and its Subsidiaries and their businesses; 

   (xv) Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries owns or possesses adequate 
rights to use all patents, patent applications, trademarks, service marks, 
trade names, trademark registrations, service mark registrations, copyrights, 
licenses and know-how (including trade secrets and other unpatented or 
unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems or procedures) 
currently employed by it in connection with the business now operated by it 
(the "Intellectual Property Rights"), except (i) for restrictions of 
ownership, if any, arising out of the security interests in such Intellectual 
Property Rights pursuant to the Credit Agreement or (ii) where the failure to 
possess such Intellectual Property Rights would not be reasonably likely to 
have a Material Adverse Effect; and the Company has no reason to 

                                4           
<PAGE>
believe that the use of any of the foregoing Intellectual Property Rights by 
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries will conflict with any such rights of 
others which would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, 
and has not received any actual notice of any claim of conflict with any such 
rights of others which would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse 
Effect; 

   (xvi) The Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering and sale 
of the Shares, will not be an "investment company" or an entity "controlled" 
by an "investment company", as such terms are defined in the Investment 
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act"); 

   (xvii) Neither the Company nor any of its affiliates does business with 
the government of Cuba or with any person or affiliate located in Cuba within 
the meaning of Section 517.075, Florida Statutes; and 

   (xviii) Ernst & Young LLP, who have certified certain financial statements 
of the Company and its subsidiaries, are, to the best knowledge of the 
Company, independent public accountants as required by the Act and the rules 
and regulations of the Commission thereunder. 

   (b) The Selling Stockholder represents and warrants to, and agrees with, 
each of the Underwriters that: 

     (i) The Selling Stockholder has power and authority (corporate and other) 
    to enter into this Agreement and the International Underwriting Agreement 
    and to sell, assign, transfer and deliver the Shares to be sold by the 
    Selling Stockholder hereunder and under the International Underwriting 
    Agreement; 

     (ii) The sale of the Shares to be sold by the Selling Stockholder 
    hereunder and under the International Underwriting Agreement and the 
    compliance by the Selling Stockholder with all of the provisions of this 
    Agreement and the International Underwriting Agreement and the 
    consummation of the transactions herein and therein contemplated will not 
    conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or 
    provisions of, or constitute a default under, any indenture, mortgage, 
    deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which 
    the Selling Stockholder is a party or by which the Selling Stockholder is 
    bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Selling Stockholder 
    is subject, nor will such action result in any violation of the provisions 
    of the certificate of incorporation or by-laws of the Selling Stockholder 
    or any statute or any order, rule or regulation of any court or 
    governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Selling 
    Stockholder or the property of the Selling Stockholder except for (other 
    than in the case of the certificate of incorporation and the by-laws) such 
    conflicts, breaches, violations or defaults which would not, individually 
    or in the aggregate, affect the validity or enforceability of, or 
    adversely affect the Selling Stockholder's ability to consummate, the 
    transactions contemplated by or perform its obligations under this 
    Agreement or the International Underwriting Agreement; and no consent, 
    approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification of or with 
    any such court or governmental agency or body is required for the issue 
    and sale of the Shares or the consummation by the Selling Stockholder of 
    the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the International 
    Underwriting Agreement, except the registration under the Act and Exchange 
    Act of the Shares and such consents, approvals, authorizations, 
    registrations or qualifications as may be required under state or foreign 
    securities or Blue Sky laws or by the rules and regulations of the NASD in 
    connection with the purchase and distribution of the Shares by the 
    Underwriters and the International Underwriters; 

     (iii) The Selling Stockholder has, and immediately prior to the Time of 
    Delivery (as defined in Section 4 hereof) the Selling Stockholder will 
    have, good and valid title to the shares of Class B Stock to be converted 
    into Shares to be sold by the Selling Stockholder hereunder and under the 
    International Underwriting Agreement, free and clear of all liens, 
    encumbrances, equities or claims; and, upon delivery of such Shares and 
    payment therefor pursuant hereto and thereto, good and valid title to such 
    Shares, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities or claims, 
    will pass to the several Underwriters or the International Underwriters, 
    as the case may be; 

     (iv) During the period beginning from the date hereof and continuing to 
    and including the date 90 days after the date of the Prospectus, not to, 
    without the prior written consent of Goldman, Sachs & Co., offer, sell, 
    contract to sell or otherwise dispose of, except as provided hereunder or 

                                5           
<PAGE>
    under the International Underwriting Agreement, any securities of the 
    Company that are substantially similar to the Shares, including but not 
    limited to any securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for, 
    or that represent the right to receive, Stock or any such substantially 
    similar securities (other than (i) pursuant to employee stock option plans 
    existing on, or upon the conversion or exchange of convertible or 
    exchangeable securities outstanding as of, the date of this Agreement, 
    (ii) to an affiliate or Permitted Transferee (as defined in the Amended 
    and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company) which agrees to 
    be bound by the provisions of this Section 1(b) (iv) and (iii) pursuant to 
    a pledge agreement securing indebtedness which is not part of an offering 
    of any security that is convertible into or exchangeable for Stock). In 
    addition, the Selling Stockholder agrees that, during the period beginning 
    from the date hereof and continuing to and including the date 90 days 
    after the date of the Prospectus, not to, without the prior written 
    consent of Goldman, Sachs & Co., make any demand for, or exercise any 
    right with respect to, except as provided hereunder or under the 
    International Underwriting Agreement, the registration of any securities 
    of the Company that are substantially similar to the Shares, including but 
    not limited to any securities that are convertible into or exchangeable 
    for, or that represent the right to receive, Stock or any substantially 
    similar securities; 

     (v) Such Selling Stockholder has not taken and will not take, directly or 
    indirectly, any action which is designed to or which has constituted or 
    which might reasonably be expected to cause or result in stabilization or 
    manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the 
    sale or resale of the Shares; 

     (vi) The Preliminary Prospectus dated February 28, 1997, at the time of 
    filing thereof, conformed in all material respects to the requirements of 
    the Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, and, 
    as of its date, did not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or 
    omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary 
    to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under 
    which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that this 
    representation and warranty (A) shall only apply to statements in or 
    omissions from the Preliminary Prospectus relating to the Selling 
    Stockholder and (B) shall not apply to any statements in or omissions from 
    the Preliminary Prospectus made in reliance upon and in conformity with 
    information furnished in writing to the Company by an Underwriter through 
    Goldman, Sachs & Co. expressly for use therein; 

     (vii) The Registration Statement conforms, and the Prospectus and any 
    further amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or the 
    Prospectus will conform, in all material respects to the requirements of 
    the Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and do 
    not and will not, as of the applicable effective date as to the 
    Registration Statement and any amendment thereto and as of the applicable 
    filing date as to the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto, 
    contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material 
    fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements 
    therein not misleading; provided, however, that this representation and 
    warranty (A) shall only apply to statements in or omissions from the 
    Registration Statement or Prospectus relating to the Selling Stockholder 
    and (B) shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the 
    Registration Statement or the Prospectus made in reliance upon and in 
    conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by an 
    Underwriter through Goldman, Sachs & Co. expressly for use therein; and 

     (viii) In order to document the Underwriters' compliance with the 
    reporting and withholding provisions of the Tax Equity and Fiscal 
    Responsibility Act of 1982 with respect to the transactions herein 
    contemplated, the Selling Stockholder will deliver to you prior to or at 
    the Time of Delivery (as defined in Section 4 hereof) a properly completed 
    and executed United States Treasury Department Form W-9 (or other 
    applicable form or statement specified by Treasury Department regulations 
    in lieu thereof). 

   2. Subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, (a) the Selling 
Stockholder agrees to sell to each of the Underwriters, and each of the 
Underwriters agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Selling 
Stockholder, at a purchase price per share of $   , the number of Firm Shares 
set 

                                6           
<PAGE>
forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in Schedule I hereto and (b) in 
the event and to the extent that the Underwriters shall exercise the election 
to purchase Optional Shares as provided below, the Selling Stockholder agrees 
to sell to each of the Underwriters, and each of the Underwriters agrees, 
severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Selling Stockholder, at the 
purchase price per share set forth in clause (a) of this Section 2, that 
portion of the number of Optional Shares as to which such election shall have 
been exercised (to be adjusted by you so as to eliminate fractional shares) 
determined by multiplying such number of Optional Shares by a fraction, the 
numerator of which is the maximum number of Optional Shares which such 
Underwriter is entitled to purchase as set forth opposite the name of such 
Underwriter in Schedule I hereto and the denominator of which is the maximum 
number of Optional Shares that all of the Underwriters are entitled to 
purchase hereunder. 

   The Selling Stockholder hereby grants to the Underwriters the right to 
purchase at their election up to 600,000 Optional Shares, at the purchase 
price per share set forth in the paragraph above, for the sole purpose of 
covering overallotments in the sale of the Firm Shares. Any such election to 
purchase Optional Shares may be exercised only by written notice from you to 
the Selling Stockholder, given within a period of 30 calendar days after the 
date of this Agreement, setting forth the aggregate number of Optional Shares 
to be purchased and the date on which such Optional Shares are to be 
delivered, as determined by you but in no event earlier than the First Time 
of Delivery (as defined in Section 4 hereof) or, unless you and the Selling 
Stockholder otherwise agree in writing, earlier than two or later than ten 
business days after the date of such notice. 

   3. Upon the authorization by you of the release of the Firm Shares, the 
several Underwriters propose to offer the Firm Shares for sale upon the terms 
and conditions set forth in the Prospectus. 

   4. (a) The Shares to be purchased by each Underwriter hereunder, in 
definitive form, and in such authorized denominations and registered in such 
names as Goldman, Sachs & Co. may request upon at least forty-eight hours' 
prior notice to the Selling Stockholder, shall be delivered by or on behalf 
of the Selling Stockholder to Goldman, Sachs & Co., for the account of such 
Underwriter, against payment by or on behalf of such Underwriter of the 
purchase price therefor in same-day funds. The Selling Stockholder will cause 
the certificates representing the Shares to be made available for checking 
and packaging at least twenty-four hours prior to the Time of Delivery (as 
defined below) with respect thereto at the office of Goldman, Sachs & Co., 85 
Broad Street, New York, New York 10004 (the "Designated Office"). The time 
and date of such delivery and payment shall be, with respect to the Firm 
Shares, 9:30 a.m., New York City time, on March  , 1997 or such other time 
and date as Goldman, Sachs & Co., the Company and the Selling Stockholder may 
agree upon in writing, and, with respect to the Optional Shares, 9:30 a.m., 
New York time, on the date specified by Goldman, Sachs & Co. in the written 
notice given by Goldman, Sachs & Co. of the Underwriters election to purchase 
such Optional Shares, or such other time and date as Goldman, Sachs & Co., 
the Company and the Selling Stockholder may agree upon in writing. Such time 
and date for delivery of the Firm Shares is herein called the "First Time of 
Delivery", such time and date for delivery of the Optional Shares, if not the 
First Time of Delivery, is herein called the "Second Time of Delivery", and 
each such time and date for delivery is herein called a "Time of Delivery". 

   (b) The documents to be delivered at each Time of Delivery by or on behalf 
of the parties hereto pursuant to Section 7 hereof, including the cross 
receipt for the Shares and any additional documents requested by the 
Underwriters pursuant to Section 7(j) hereof, will be delivered at the 
offices of Cravath, Swaine & Moore, 825 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 
10019 (the "Closing Location"), and the Shares will be delivered at the 
Designated Office, all at such Time of Delivery. A meeting will be held at 
the Closing Location at 2:00 p.m., New York City time, on the New York 
Business Day next preceding such Time of Delivery, at which meeting the final 
drafts of the documents to be delivered pursuant to the preceding sentence 
will be available for review by the parties hereto. For the purposes of this 
Section 4, "New York Business Day" shall mean each Monday, Tuesday, 
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which banking 
institutions in New York are generally authorized or obligated by law or 
executive order to close. 

                                7           
<PAGE>
   5. The Company agrees with each of the Underwriters: 

   (a) To prepare the Prospectus in a form approved by you and to file such 
Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act not later than the 
Commission's close of business on the second business day following the 
execution and delivery of this Agreement, or, if applicable, such earlier 
time as may be required by Rule 430A(a)(3) under the Act; to make no further 
amendment or any supplement to the Registration Statement or Prospectus prior 
to the last Time of Delivery which shall be disapproved by you promptly after 
reasonable notice thereof; to advise you, promptly after it receives notice 
thereof, of the time when any amendment to the Registration Statement has 
been filed or becomes effective or any supplement to the Prospectus or any 
amended Prospectus has been filed and to furnish you with copies thereof; to 
advise you, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the issuance by the 
Commission of any stop order or of any order preventing or suspending the use 
of any Preliminary Prospectus or prospectus, of the suspension of the 
qualification of the Shares for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, of the 
initiation or threatening of any proceeding for any such purpose, or of any 
request by the Commission for the amending or supplementing of the 
Registration Statement or Prospectus or for additional information; and, in 
the event of the issuance of any stop order or of any order preventing or 
suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or prospectus or suspending 
any such qualification, promptly to use its best efforts to obtain the 
withdrawal of such order; 

   (b) Promptly from time to time to take such action as you may reasonably 
request to qualify the Shares for offering and sale under the securities laws 
of such jurisdictions as you may request and to comply with such laws so as 
to permit the continuance of sales and dealings therein in such jurisdictions 
for as long as may be necessary to complete the distribution of the Shares, 
provided that in connection therewith the Company shall not be required to 
qualify as a foreign corporation or to file a general consent to service of 
process or to subject itself to taxation in any jurisdiction; 

   (c) Promptly, and in any event no later than 12:00 (noon) on the second 
New York Business Day preceding the Closing, and from time to time, to 
furnish the Underwriters with copies of the Prospectus in New York City in 
such quantities as you may reasonably request, and, if the delivery of a 
prospectus is required at any time prior to the expiration of nine months 
after the time of issue of the Prospectus in connection with the offering or 
sale of the Shares and if at such time any event shall have occurred as a 
result of which the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include 
an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact 
necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the 
circumstances under which they were made when such Prospectus is delivered, 
not misleading, or, if for any other reason it shall be necessary during such 
period to amend or supplement the Prospectus in order to comply with the Act, 
to notify you and upon your request to prepare and furnish without charge to 
each Underwriter and to any dealer in securities as many copies as you may 
from time to time reasonably request of an amended Prospectus or a supplement 
to the Prospectus which will correct such statement or omission or effect 
such compliance, and in case any Underwriter is required to deliver a 
prospectus in connection with sales of any of the Shares at any time nine 
months or more after the time of issue of the Prospectus, upon your request 
but at the expense of such Underwriter, to prepare and deliver to such 
Underwriter as many copies as you may request of an amended or supplemented 
Prospectus complying with Section 10(a)(3) of the Act; 

   (d) To make generally available to its securityholders as soon as 
practicable, but in any event not later than eighteen months after the 
effective date of the Registration Statement (as defined in Rule 158(c) under 
the Act), an earnings statement of the Company and its subsidiaries (which 
need not be audited) complying with Section 11(a) of the Act and the rules 
and regulations thereunder (including, at the option of the Company, Rule 
158); 

   (e) During the period beginning from the date hereof and continuing to and 
including the date 90 days after the date of the Prospectus, not to, without 
the prior written consent of Goldman, Sachs & Co., offer, sell, contract to 
sell or otherwise dispose of, except as provided hereunder and under the 
International Underwriting Agreement, any securities of the Company that are 
substantially similar to the Shares, including but not limited to any 
securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for, or that represent 
the right to receive, Stock or any such substantially similar securities 
(other than (i) pursuant 

                                8           
<PAGE>
to employee stock option plans existing on, or upon the conversion or 
exchange of convertible or exchangeable securities outstanding as of, the 
date of this Agreement, (ii) to an affiliate or Permitted Transferee (as 
defined in the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the 
Company) which agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Section 5(e) and 
(iii) pursuant to a pledge agreement securing indebtedness which is not part 
of an offering of any security that is convertible into or exchangeable for 
Stock; 

   (f) To furnish to its stockholders as soon as practicable after the end of 
each fiscal year an annual report (including a balance sheet and statements 
of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows of the Company and its 
consolidated subsidiaries certified by independent public accountants) and, 
as soon as practicable after the end of each of the first three quarters of 
each fiscal year (beginning with the fiscal quarter ending after the 
effective date of the Registration Statement), consolidated summary financial 
information of the Company and its subsidiaries for such quarter in 
reasonable detail; and 

   (g) To use its best efforts to list, subject to notice of issuance, the 
Shares on the New York Stock Exchange (the "Exchange"). 

   6. Each of the Company and the Selling Stockholder covenants and agrees 
with the several Underwriters that the Selling Stockholder will pay or cause 
to be paid the following: (i) the fees, disbursements and expenses of the 
Company's counsel and accountants in connection with the registration of the 
Shares under the Act and all other expenses in connection with the 
preparation, printing and filing of the Registration Statement, any 
Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus and amendments and supplements 
thereto and the mailing and delivering of copies thereof to the Underwriters 
and dealers; (ii) the cost of printing or producing any Agreement among 
Underwriters, this Agreement, the International Underwriting Agreement, the 
Agreement between Syndicates, the Selling Agreement, the Blue Sky Memorandum, 
closing documents (including compilations thereof) and any other documents in 
connection with the offering, purchase, sale and delivery of the Shares; 
(iii) all expenses in connection with the qualification of the Shares for 
offering and sale under state securities laws as provided in Section 5(b) 
hereof, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the 
Underwriters in connection with such qualification and in connection with the 
Blue Sky survey; (iv) all fees and expenses in connection with listing the 
Shares on the Exchange; (v) the filing fees incident to securing any required 
review by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. of the terms 
of the sale of the Shares; (vi) the cost of preparing stock certificates; 
(vii) the cost and charges of any transfer agent or registrar; and (viii) all 
other costs and expenses incident to the performance of its obligations 
hereunder which are not otherwise specifically provided for in this Section. 
The Selling Stockholder will pay or cause to be paid all costs and expenses 
incident to the performance of its obligations hereunder which are not 
otherwise specifically provided for in this Section, including any fees and 
expenses of its counsel and all expenses and taxes incident to the sale and 
delivery of the Shares to be sold by it to the Underwriters hereunder. It is 
understood, however, that, the Company shall bear, and the Selling 
Stockholder shall not be required to pay or reimburse the Company for, the 
cost of any other matters not directly relating to the sale and purchase of 
the Shares pursuant to this Agreement, and that, except as provided in this 
Section, and Sections 8 and 11 hereof, the Underwriters will pay all of their 
own costs and expenses, including the fees of their counsel, stock transfer 
taxes on resale of any of the Shares by them, and any advertising expenses 
connected with any offers they may make. 

   7. The obligations of the Underwriters hereunder, as to the Shares to be 
delivered at each Time of Delivery, shall be subject, in their discretion, to 
the condition that all representations and warranties and other statements of 
the Company and the Selling Stockholder herein are, at and as of such Time of 
Delivery, true and correct, the condition that each of the Company and the 
Selling Stockholder shall have performed all of its obligations hereunder 
theretofore to be performed, and the following additional conditions: 

   (a) The Prospectus shall have been filed with the Commission pursuant to 
Rule 424(b) within the applicable time period prescribed for such filing by 
the rules and regulations under the Act and in accordance with Section 5(a) 
hereof; no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration 

                                9           
<PAGE>
Statement or any part thereof shall have been issued and no proceeding for 
that purpose shall have been initiated or threatened by the Commission; and 
all requests for additional information on the part of the Commission shall 
have been complied with to your reasonable satisfaction; 

   (b) Cravath, Swaine & Moore, counsel for the Underwriters, shall have 
furnished to you such opinion or opinions (a draft of each such opinion is 
attached as Annex II (a) hereto), dated such Time of Delivery, with respect 
to the matters covered in paragraphs (i), (ii), (iv), (vii) and (xi) of 
subsection (c) below as well as such other related matters as you may 
reasonably request, and such counsel shall have received such papers and 
information as they may reasonably request to enable them to pass upon such 
matters; 

   (c) Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, special counsel for the 
Company and the Selling Stockholder, shall have furnished to you their 
written opinion (a draft of such opinion is attached as Annex II(b) hereto), 
dated such Time of Delivery, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to 
you, to the effect that: 

   (i) The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a 
corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with 
power and authority (corporate and other) to own its properties and conduct 
its business as described in the Prospectus; 

   (ii) The authorized, issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company 
is as set forth in the Prospectus under the caption "Capitalization" (except 
for the conversion of the shares of Class B Stock into the Shares to be sold 
by the Selling Stockholder pursuant to this Agreement or the International 
Underwriting Agreement or subsequent issuances, if any, pursuant to the 
Company's stock option plan or referred to in or contemplated by the 
Prospectus); and all of the outstanding shares of Stock and Class B Stock of 
the Company outstanding as of such Time of Delivery have been duly authorized 
and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable; 

   (iii) Each Subsidiary of the Company listed in Schedule II hereto (the 
"Delaware Subsidiaries") has been duly incorporated and is validly existing 
as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware; 
all of the issued shares of capital stock of each such Subsidiary have been 
duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and non-assessable, and 
(except for directors' qualifying shares and except as otherwise set forth in 
the Prospectus) are owned of record, directly or indirectly, by the Company; 
and, to such counsel's knowledge, the Company has not granted any liens, 
encumbrances, equities or claims in the capital stock of such Subsidiaries 
pursuant to the agreements filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement, 
other than pursuant to the Credit Agreement and its related security 
agreements; 

   (iv) This Agreement and the International Underwriting Agreement have been 
duly authorized, executed and delivered by each of the Company and the 
Selling Stockholder; 

   (v) The compliance by the Company with all of the provisions of this 
Agreement and the International Underwriting Agreement and the consummation 
by the Company of the transactions herein and therein contemplated will not 
conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or 
provisions of, or constitute a default under, any agreement listed as an 
exhibit to the Registration Statement, nor will such action result in any 
violation of the provisions of the Amended and Restated Certificate of 
Incorporation or Amended and Restated By-laws of the Company or any statute 
or any order, rule or regulation known to such counsel of any court or 
governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of 
its Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties, except for (other 
than in the case of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and 
the Amended and Restated By-laws) such conflicts, breaches, violations or 
defaults which would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material 
Adverse Effect; 

   (vi) No consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or 
qualification of or with any such court or governmental agency or body is 
required for the sale of the Shares by the Selling Stockholder or the 
consummation by the Company and the Selling Stockholder of the transactions 
contemplated by this Agreement and the International Underwriting Agreement, 
except the registration under the Act and the Exchange Act of the Shares, and 
such consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations or qualifications as 
may be required under state or foreign securities or Blue Sky laws or by the 
rules and regulations of 

                               10           
<PAGE>
the NASD in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Shares by 
the Underwriters and the International Underwriters, except that such counsel 
need not express any opinion as to (i) any securities laws of any 
jurisdiction (other than the Federal securities laws) and the rules and 
regulations of the NASD, (ii) laws other than those that, in each such 
counsel's experience, are normally applicable to transactions of the type 
contemplated by this Agreement and the International Underwriting Agreement 
and (iii) any consent or authorization which may have become applicable to 
the Company or the Selling Stockholder as a result of the involvement of the 
Underwriters or of the International Underwriters in the transactions 
contemplated by this Agreement or the International Underwriting Agreement 
because of their legal or regulatory status or because of any other facts 
specifically pertaining to them; 

   (vii) The statements set forth in the Prospectus under the captions "Risk 
Factors -- Extensive and Increasing Regulation of Tobacco Products" (as to 
matters of Federal law only), "Risk Factors -- Effects of Increases in Excise 
Taxes" (as to matters of Federal law only), "Risk Factors -- Substantial 
Effects of Failure to Receive Possessions Tax Credit" (as to matters of 
Federal law only), "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial 
Condition and Results of Operations -- Taxation and Regulation -- Possessions 
Tax Credit" (as to matters of Federal law only), "Business -- The Tobacco 
Industry -- Regulation" (as to matters of Federal law only), "Certain 
Relationships and Related Transactions -- Tax Sharing Agreement", "Certain 
Relationships and Related Transactions -- Registration Rights Agreement", 
"Description of Capital Stock" and "Certain United States Tax Consequences to 
Non-United States Holders", insofar as they purport to describe or summarize 
certain provisions of the agreements, statutes and regulations referred to 
therein, fairly describe or summarize such provisions in all material 
respects; 

   (viii) The Company is not an "investment company", as such term is defined 
in the Investment Company Act; and 

   (ix) The sale of the Shares being delivered at such Time of Delivery by 
the Selling Stockholder under this Agreement and the International 
Underwriting Agreement and the compliance by the Selling Stockholder with all 
of the provisions of this Agreement and the International Underwriting 
Agreement and the consummation by the Selling Stockholder of the transactions 
herein and therein contemplated will not conflict with or result in a breach 
or violation of any terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, 
any agreement listed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or any 
material indenture or other debt instrument, nor will such action result in 
any violation of the provisions of the certificate of incorporation or 
by-laws of the Selling Stockholder or any statute or any order, rule or 
regulation known to such counsel of any court or governmental agency or body 
having jurisdiction over the Selling Stockholder or any of its subsidiaries 
(other than the Company and its subsidiaries, which are covered by the 
opinion set forth in paragraph (c)(v) above) or any of their respective 
properties, except for (other than in the case of the certificate of 
incorporation and the by-laws of the Selling Stockholder) such conflicts, 
breaches, violations or defaults which would not, individually or in the 
aggregate, affect the validity or enforceability of, or adversely affect the 
Selling Stockholder's ability to consummate, the transactions contemplated by 
or perform its obligations under this Agreement or the International 
Underwriting Agreement; 

   (x) Assuming that each of the Underwriters and the International Underwriters
acquired its interest in the certificate representing the Shares and the 
International Shares identified on Schedule C hereto (the "Certificate") in 
good faith and without notice of any adverse claims, upon delivery to Goldman, 
Sachs & Co., as agent for the Underwriters and the International Underwriters 
(the "Agent") in the State of New York of the Certificate representing the 
Shares indorsed to the Agent, the Agent will acquire all of the Selling 
Stockholder's rights in the Shares represented by the Certificate free of any 
adverse claims (within the meaning of Section 8-302 of the New York Uniform 
Commercial Code). 

   (xi) The Registration Statement and the Prospectus and any further 
amendments and supplements thereto made by the Company prior to such Time of 
Delivery (other than the financial statements and related schedules therein, 
as to which such counsel need express no opinion) comply as to form in all 
material respects with the requirements of the Act and the rules and 
regulations thereunder, although they do not assume any responsibility for 
the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements 

                               11           
<PAGE>
contained in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, except for those 
referred to in the opinion in subsection (vii) of this Section 7(c); they 
have no reason to believe that, as of its effective date, the Registration 
Statement or any further amendment thereto made by the Company prior to such 
Time of Delivery (other than the financial statements and related statements 
and related schedules therein, as to which such counsel need express no 
opinion) contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state 
a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the 
statements therein not misleading or that, as of its date, the Prospectus or 
any further amendment or supplement thereto made by the Company prior to such 
Time of Delivery (other than the financial statements and related schedules 
therein, as to which such counsel need express no opinion) contained an 
untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact 
necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances 
under which they were made, not misleading or that, as of such Time of 
Delivery, either the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or any further 
amendment or supplement thereto made by the Company prior to such Time of 
Delivery (other than the financial statements and related schedules therein, 
as to which such counsel need express no opinion) contains an untrue 
statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary to 
make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which 
they were made, not misleading; and they do not know of any amendment to the 
Registration Statement required to be filed or of any contracts or other 
documents of a character required to be filed as an exhibit to the 
Registration Statement or required to be described in the Registration 
Statement or the Prospectus which are not filed or described as required; 

   In rendering such opinion, such counsel may (i) state that they express no 
opinion as to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the laws of the United 
States of America, to the extent specifically referred to therein, and the 
laws of the State of New York and the Delaware General Corporation Law and 
(ii) rely upon the opinions of local counsel and in respect of matters of 
fact upon certificates of the Company, the Selling Stockholder or their 
respective subsidiaries. 

   (d) Barry F. Schwartz, Esq., Executive Vice President and General Counsel 
of the Company, shall have furnished to you his written opinion (a draft of 
such opinion is attached as Annex II(c) hereto), dated the Time Delivery, in 
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to you, to the effect that: 

   To the best of such counsel's knowledge and other than as set forth in the 
Prospectus, there are no legal or governmental proceedings pending to which 
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or to which any property of 
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is the subject which would, 
individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably likely to have a Material 
Adverse Effect; and, to the best of such counsel's knowledge, no such 
proceedings are threatened by governmental authorities or by others. 

   (e) On the date of the Prospectus at a time prior to the execution of this 
Agreement, at 9:30 a.m., New York City time, on the effective date of any 
post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement filed subsequent to 
the date of this Agreement and also at each Time of Delivery, Ernst & Young 
LLP shall have furnished to you a letter or letters, dated the respective 
dates of delivery thereof, in form and substance satisfactory to you, 
substantially to the effect set forth in Annex I hereto (the executed copy of 
the letter delivered prior to the execution of this Agreement is attached as 
Annex I(a) hereto and a draft of the form of letter to be delivered on the 
effective date of any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement 
and as of each Time of Delivery is attached as Annex I(b) hereto); 

   (f) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall have sustained 
since the date of the latest audited financial statements included in the 
Prospectus any loss or interference with its business from fire, explosion, 
flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any 
labor dispute or court or governmental action, order or decree, otherwise 
than as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus and other than such 
losses or interferences which would not, individually or in the aggregate, 
have a Material Adverse Effect, and (ii) since the respective dates as of 
which information is given in the Prospectus there shall not have been any 
change in the capital stock or long-term debt of the Company or any of its 
Subsidiaries in or affecting the business affairs, business prospects, 
management, consolidated financial position, stockholders' equity or results 
of operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries considered as one 
enterprise, otherwise than as set forth in or contemplated by the 

                               12           
<PAGE>
Prospectus, the effect of which, in any such case described in Clause (i) or 
(ii), is in the judgment of the Representatives so material and adverse as to 
make it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or 
the delivery of the Shares being delivered at such Time of Delivery on the 
terms and in the manner contemplated in the Prospectus; 

   (g) On or after the date hereof there shall not have occurred any of the 
following: (i) a suspension or material limitation in trading in securities 
generally on the Exchange; (ii) a suspension or material limitation in 
trading in the Company's securities on the Exchange; (iii) a general 
moratorium on commercial banking activities declared by either Federal or New 
York State authorities; or (iv) the outbreak or escalation of hostilities 
involving the United States or the declaration by the United States of a 
national emergency or war, if the effect of any such event specified in this 
Clause (iv) in the judgment of the Representatives makes it impracticable or 
inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or the delivery of the Shares 
being delivered at such Time of Delivery on the terms and in the manner 
contemplated in the Prospectus; 

   (h) The Shares to be sold by the Selling Stockholder at such Time of 
Delivery shall have been duly listed, subject to notice of issuance, on the 
Exchange; and 

   (i) The Company and the Selling Stockholder shall have furnished or caused 
to be furnished to you at such Time of Delivery certificates of the Company 
and the Selling Stockholder, respectively, satisfactory to you as to the 
accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company and the Selling 
Stockholder herein at and as of such Time of Delivery, as to the performance 
by the Company and the Selling Stockholder, respectively, of all of its 
obligations hereunder to be performed at or prior to such Time of Delivery, 
as to the matters set forth in subsections (a) and (f) of this Section and as 
to such other matters as you may reasonably request. 

   8. (a) The Company will indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter and 
the Selling Stockholder against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, 
joint or several, to which such Underwriter or the Selling Stockholder may 
become subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, 
damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are 
based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact 
contained in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the 
Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are 
based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact 
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not 
misleading, and will reimburse each Underwriter and the Selling Stockholder 
for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Underwriter or 
the Selling Stockholder in connection with investigating or defending any 
such action or claim as such expenses are incurred; provided, however, that 
the Company shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such 
loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue 
statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in 
any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or 
any such amendment or supplement which (i) in the case of any Underwriter, is 
made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to 
the Company by any Underwriter through Goldman, Sachs & Co. expressly for use 
therein or (ii) in the case of the Selling Stockholder, related to the 
Selling Stockholder; and provided further, however, that the Company shall 
not be liable with respect to any Preliminary Prospectus to any Underwriter 
(or any person controlling such Underwriter) from whom the person asserting 
any such loss, claim, damage or liability purchased the Shares which are the 
subject thereof if such person did not receive a copy of the Prospectus (or 
the Prospectus as supplemented) at or prior to the confirmation of the sale 
of such Shares to such person in any case where such delivery is required by 
the Act and (A) the defect in such Preliminary Prospectus was cured in the 
Prospectus (or the Prospectus as supplemented) and (B) such Underwriter had 
previously been furnished by or on behalf of the Company (prior to the date 
of mailing by such Underwriter of the applicable confirmation) with a 
sufficient number of copies of the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented. 

   (b) The Selling Stockholder will indemnify and hold harmless each 
Underwriter and the Company against any losses, claims, damages or 
liabilities, joint or several, to which such Underwriter or the Company may 
become subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, 
damages or 

                               13           
<PAGE>
liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon an 
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in 
any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or 
any amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the 
omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be 
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, 
and will reimburse each Underwriter and the Company for any legal or other 
expenses reasonably incurred by such Underwriter or the Company in connection 
with investigating or defending any such action or claim as such expenses are 
incurred; provided, however, that the Selling Stockholder shall not be liable 
in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability 
arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue 
statement or omission or alleged omission made in any Preliminary Prospectus, 
the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or any such amendment or 
supplement in reliance upon and in conformity with written information 
furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through Goldman, Sachs & Co. 
expressly for use therein, and that the Selling Stockholder shall only be 
liable to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises 
out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or 
omission or alleged omission relating to the Selling Stockholder; and, 
provided further, however, that the Selling Stockholder shall not be liable 
with respect to any Preliminary Prospectus to any Underwriter (or any person 
controlling such Underwriter) from whom the person asserting any such loss, 
claim, damage or liability purchased the Shares which are the subject thereof 
if such person did not receive a copy of the Prospectus (or the Prospectus as 
supplemented) at or prior to the confirmation of the sale of such Shares to 
such person in any case where such delivery is required by the Act and (A) 
the defect in such Preliminary Prospectus was cured in the Prospectus (or the 
Prospectus as supplemented) and (B) such Underwriter had previously been 
furnished by or on behalf of the Company (prior to the date of mailing by 
such Underwriter of the applicable confirmation) with a sufficient number of 
copies of the Prospectus as supplemented. 

   (c) Each Underwriter will indemnify and hold harmless the Company and the 
Selling Stockholder against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to 
which the Company or the Selling Stockholder may become subject, under the 
Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or 
actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon an untrue 
statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any 
Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or any 
amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the 
omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be 
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in 
each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement 
or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in any 
Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or any 
such amendment or supplement in reliance upon and in conformity with written 
information furnished to the Company by such Underwriter through Goldman, 
Sachs & Co. expressly for use therein; and will reimburse the Company and the 
Selling Stockholder for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by 
the Company or the Selling Stockholder in connection with investigating or 
defending any such action or claim as such expenses are incurred. 

   (d) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under subsection (a), 
(b) or (c) above of notice of the commencement of any action, such 
indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against 
the indemnifying party under such subsection, notify the indemnifying party 
in writing of the commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the 
indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have 
to any indemnified party under such subsection, except to the extent it has 
been materially prejudiced by such failure. In case any such action shall be 
brought against any indemnified party and it shall notify the indemnifying 
party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party shall be entitled 
to participate therein and, to the extent that it shall wish, jointly with 
any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense 
thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party (who 
shall not, except with the consent of the indemnified party, be counsel to 
the indemnifying party), and, after notice from the indemnifying party to 
such indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense thereof, the 
indemnifying party shall not be liable to such indemnified party under such 
subsection for any legal expenses of other counsel or any other expenses, in 
each case subsequently incurred by such indemnified party, in connection with 
the defense thereof 

                               14           
<PAGE>
other than reasonable costs of investigation; provided, however, if the 
defendants in any such action include both an indemnified party and an 
indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded 
that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified 
parties that are different from or additional to those available to the 
indemnifying party, the indemnified party or parties under subsection (a), 
(b) or (c) above shall have the right to employ not more than one counsel 
(and one local counsel in each jurisdiction) reasonably satisfactory to the 
indemnifying party to represent them and, in that event, the fees and 
expenses of not more than one such separate counsel shall be paid by the 
indemnifying party, as such expenses are incurred. No indemnifying party 
shall, without the written consent of the indemnified party, effect the 
settlement or compromise of, or consent to the entry of any judgment with 
respect to, any pending or threatened action or claim in respect of which 
indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the 
indemnified party is an actual or potential party to such action or claim) 
unless such settlement, compromise or judgment (i) includes an unconditional 
release of the indemnified party from all liability arising out of such 
action or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission 
of fault, culpability or a failure to act, by or on behalf of any indemnified 
party. 

   (e) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 is unavailable 
to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under subsection 
(a), (b) or (c) above in respect of any losses, claims, damages or 
liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to therein, then each 
indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such 
indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities 
(or actions in respect thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate to 
reflect the relative benefits received by the Company and the Selling 
Stockholder on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other from the 
offering of the Shares. If, however, the allocation provided by the 
immediately preceding sentence is not permitted by applicable law or if the 
indemnified party failed to give the notice required under subsection (d) 
above, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to such amount paid or 
payable by such indemnified party in such proportion as is appropriate to 
reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the 
Company and the Selling Stockholder on the one hand and the Underwriters on 
the other in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in 
such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof), 
as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits 
received by the Company and the Selling Stockholder on the one hand and the 
Underwriters on the other shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the 
total net proceeds from the offering of the Shares purchased under this 
Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by the Company and the Selling 
Stockholder on the one hand bear to the total underwriting discounts and 
commissions received by the Underwriters on the other with respect to the 
Shares purchased under this Agreement, in each case as set forth in the table 
on the cover page of the Prospectus. The relative fault shall be determined 
by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue 
statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a 
material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or the Selling 
Stockholder on the one hand or the Underwriters on the other and the parties' 
relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct 
or prevent such statement or omission. The Company, the Selling Stockholder 
and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if 
contributions pursuant to this subsection (e) were determined by pro rata 
allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such 
purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of 
the equitable considerations referred to above in this subsection (e). The 
amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, 
claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to 
above in this subsection (e) shall be deemed to include any legal or other 
expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with 
investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the 
provisions of this subsection (e), no Underwriter shall be required to 
contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at 
which the Shares underwritten by it and distributed to the public were 
offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such 
Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or 
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of 
fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) 
shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such 
fraudulent misrepresentation. The Underwriters' obligations in this 
subsection (e) to contribute are several in proportion to their respective 
underwriting obligations and not joint. 

                               15           
<PAGE>
   (f) The obligations of the Company and the Selling Stockholder under this 
Section 8 shall be in addition to any liability which the Company and the 
Selling Stockholder may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same terms 
and conditions, to each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within 
the meaning of the Act; and the obligations of the Underwriters under this 
Section 8 shall be in addition to any liability which the respective 
Underwriters may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same terms and 
conditions, to each officer and director of the Company or the Selling 
Stockholder and to each person, if any, who controls the Company or the 
Selling Stockholder within the meaning of the Act. The obligations of the 
Selling Stockholder under this Section 8 shall not exceed the amount of the 
net proceeds received by the Selling Stockholder in connection with the sale 
of the Shares hereunder and under the International Underwriting Agreement. 

   9. (a) If any Underwriter shall default in its obligation to purchase the 
Shares which it has agreed to purchase hereunder at a Time of Delivery, you 
may in your discretion arrange for you or another party or other parties to 
purchase such Shares on the terms contained herein. If within thirty-six 
hours after such default by any Underwriter you do not arrange for the 
purchase of such Shares, then the Selling Stockholder shall be entitled to a 
further period of thirty-six hours within which to procure another party or 
other parties satisfactory to you to purchase such Shares on such terms. In 
the event that, within the respective prescribed periods, you notify the 
Selling Stockholder that you have so arranged for the purchase of such 
Shares, or the Selling Stockholder notifies you that it has so arranged for 
the purchase of such Shares, you or the Selling Stockholder shall have the 
right to postpone such Time of Delivery for a period of not more than seven 
days, in order to effect whatever changes may thereby be made necessary in 
the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or in any other documents or 
arrangements, and the Company agrees to file promptly any amendments to the 
Registration Statement or the Prospectus which in your opinion may thereby be 
made necessary. The term "Underwriter" as used in this Agreement shall 
include any person substituted under this Section with like effect as if such 
person had originally been a party to this Agreement with respect to such 
Shares. 

   (b) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the 
Shares of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by you and the Selling 
Stockholder as provided in subsection (a) above, the aggregate number of such 
Shares which remains unpurchased does not exceed one-eleventh of the 
aggregate number of all the Shares to be purchased at such Time of Delivery, 
then the Selling Stockholder shall have the right to require each 
non-defaulting Underwriter to purchase the number of Shares which such 
Underwriter agreed to purchase hereunder at such Time of Delivery and, in 
addition, to require each non-defaulting Underwriter to purchase its pro rata 
share (based on the number of Shares which such Underwriter agreed to 
purchase hereunder) of the Shares of such defaulting Underwriter or 
Underwriters for which such arrangements have not been made; but nothing 
herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter from liability for its default. 

   (c) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the 
Shares of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by you and the Selling 
Stockholder as provided in subsection (a) above, the aggregate number of such 
Shares which remains unpurchased exceeds one-eleventh of the aggregate number 
of all the Shares to be purchased at such Time of Delivery, or if the Selling 
Stockholder shall not exercise the right described in subsection (b) above to 
require non-defaulting Underwriters to purchase Shares of a defaulting 
Underwriter or Underwriters, then this Agreement (or, with respect to the 
Second Time of Delivery, the obligations of the Underwriters to purchase and 
of the Selling Stockholder to sell the Optional Shares) shall thereupon 
terminate, without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter or 
the Selling Stockholder, except for the expenses to be borne by the Selling 
Stockholder and the Underwriters as provided in Section 6 hereof and the 
indemnity and contribution agreements in Section 8 hereof; but nothing herein 
shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter from liability for its default. 

   10. The respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties 
and other statements of the Company, the Selling Stockholder and the several 
Underwriters, as set forth in this Agreement or made by or on behalf of them, 
respectively, pursuant to this Agreement, shall remain in full force and 
effect, regardless of any investigation (or any statement as to the results 
thereof) made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or any controlling person of 
any Underwriter, or the Company, or the Selling Stockholder, or any officer 
or director or controlling person of the Company, or any controlling person 
of the Selling Stockholder, and shall survive delivery of and payment for the 
Shares. 

                               16           
<PAGE>
   11. If this Agreement shall be terminated pursuant to Section 9 hereof, 
neither the Company nor the Selling Stockholder shall then be under any 
liability to any Underwriter except as provided in Sections 6 and 8 hereof; 
but, if for any other reason, any Shares are not delivered by or on behalf of 
the Selling Stockholder as provided herein, the Selling Stockholder will 
reimburse the Underwriters through you for all out-of-pocket expenses 
approved in writing by you, including fees and disbursements of counsel, 
reasonably incurred by the Underwriters in making preparations for the 
purchase, sale and delivery of the Shares not so delivered, but the Company 
and the Selling Stockholder shall then be under no further liability to any 
Underwriter in respect of the Shares not so delivered except as provided in 
Sections 6 and 8 hereof. 

   12. In all dealings hereunder, you shall act on behalf of each of the 
Underwriters, and the parties hereto shall be entitled to act and rely upon 
any statement, request, notice or agreement on behalf of any Underwriter made 
or given by you jointly or by Goldman, Sachs & Co. on behalf of you as the 
representatives. 

   All statements, requests, notices and agreements hereunder shall be in 
writing, and if to the Underwriters shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex 
or facsimile transmission to you as the representatives at in care of 
Goldman, Sachs & Co., 85 Broad Street, New York, New York 10004, Attention: 
Registration Department; if to the Selling Stockholder shall be delivered or 
sent by mail, telex or facsimile transmission to 35 East 62nd Street, New 
York, New York 10021, Attention: Barry F. Schwartz; and if to the Company 
shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or facsimile transmission to the 
address of the Company set forth in the Registration Statement, Attention: 
Secretary; provided, however, that any notice to an Underwriter pursuant to 
Section 8(c) hereof shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or facsimile 
transmission to such Underwriter at its address set forth in its 
Underwriters' Questionnaire, or telex constituting such Questionnaire, which 
address will be supplied to the Company or the Selling Stockholder by you 
upon request. Any such statements, requests, notices or agreements shall take 
effect at the time of receipt thereof. 

   13. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure solely to the benefit 
of, the Underwriters, the Company and the Selling Stockholder and, to the 
extent provided in Sections 8 and 10 hereof, the officers and directors of 
the Company and each person who controls the Company, the Selling Stockholder 
or any Underwriter, and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, 
successors and assigns, and no other person shall acquire or have any right 
under or by virtue of this Agreement. No purchaser of any of the Shares from 
any Underwriter shall be deemed a successor or assign by reason merely of 
such purchase. 

   14. Time shall be of the essence of this Agreement. As used herein, the 
term "business day" shall mean any day when the Commission's office in 
Washington, D.C. is open for business. 

   15. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH 
THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. 

   16. This Agreement may be executed by any one or more of the parties 
hereto in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an 
original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the 
same instrument. 

                               17           
<PAGE>
   If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign and 
return to us one for the Company, one for the Selling Stockholder and for 
each of the Representatives plus one for each counsel counterparts hereof, 
and upon the acceptance hereof by you, on behalf of each of the Underwriters, 
this letter and such acceptance hereof shall constitute a binding agreement 
between each of the Underwriters, the Company and the Selling Stockholder. It 
is understood that your acceptance of this letter on behalf of each of the 
Underwriters is pursuant to the authority set forth in a form of Agreement 
among Underwriters (U.S. Version), the form of which shall be submitted to 
the Company and the Selling Stockholder for examination upon request, but 
without warranty on your part as to the authority of the signers thereof. 

                                          Very truly yours, 

                                          Consolidated Cigar Holdings Inc. 
                                          By: 
                                              ------------------------------- 
                                              Name: 
                                              Title: 

                                          Mafco Consolidated Group Inc. 
                                          By: 
                                              ------------------------------- 
                                              Name: 
                                              Title: 

Accepted as of the date hereof: 

Goldman, Sachs & Co. 
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated 
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated 

By: 
    -------------------------------------
    (Goldman, Sachs & Co.) 
    On behalf of each of the Underwriters 

                               18           
<PAGE>
                                  SCHEDULE I 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      NUMBER OF OPTIONAL 
                                                                         SHARES TO BE 
                                                     TOTAL NUMBER OF     PURCHASED IF 
                                                       FIRM SHARES     MAXIMIUM OPTION 
                    UNDERWRITER                      TO BE PURCHASED      EXERCISED 
- --------------------------------------------------  ---------------  ------------------
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>
Goldman, Sachs & Co ............................... 
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated 
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated ................. 

                                                    ---------------  ------------------
Total .............................................       4,000,000             600,000
                                                    ===============  ==================
</TABLE>

                               19           
<PAGE>
                                 SCHEDULE II 

Delaware Subsidiaries 

Consolidated Cigar Corporation 
Congar International Corporation 
Triple C Marketing Inc. 


                               20           
<PAGE>
                                   ANNEX I 

                FORM OF ANNEX I DESCRIPTION OF COMFORT LETTER 
                   FOR REGISTRATION STATEMENTS ON FORM S-1 

   Pursuant to Section 7(f) of the Underwriting Agreement, the accountants 
shall furnish letters to the Underwriters to the effect that: 

   (i) They are independent certified public accountants with respect to the 
Company and its subsidiaries within the meaning of the Act and the applicable 
published rules and regulations thereunder; 

   (ii) In their opinion, the financial statements and any supplementary 
financial information and schedules (and, if applicable, financial forecasts 
and/or pro forma financial information) examined by them and included in the 
Prospectus or the Registration Statement comply as to form in all material 
respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the Act and the 
related published rules and regulations thereunder; and, if applicable, they 
have made a review in accordance with standards established by the American 
Institute of Certified Public Accountants of the unaudited consolidated 
interim financial statements, selected financial data, pro forma financial 
information, financial forecasts and/or condensed financial statements 
derived from audited financial statements of the Company for the periods 
specified in such letter, as indicated in their reports thereon, copies of 
which have been furnished separately to the representatives of the 
Underwriters (the "Representatives"); 

   (iii) They have made a review in accordance with standards established by 
the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants of the unaudited 
condensed consolidated statements of income, consolidated balance sheets and 
consolidated statements of cash flows included in the Prospectus and on the 
basis of specified procedures including inquiries of officials of the Company 
who have responsibility for financial and accounting matters regarding 
whether the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in 
the Prospectus comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable 
accounting requirements of the Act and the related published rules and 
regulations, nothing came to their attention that caused them to believe that 
the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements do not comply as to 
form in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of 
the Act and the related published rules and regulations; 

   (iv) The unaudited selected financial information with respect to the 
consolidated results of operations and financial position of the Company for 
the five most recent fiscal years included in the Prospectus agrees with the 
corresponding amounts (after restatements where applicable) in the audited 
consolidated financial statements for such five fiscal years which were 
included or incorporated by reference in the Company's Annual Reports on Form 
10-K for such fiscal years; 

   (v) They have compared the information in the Prospectus under selected 
captions with the disclosure requirements of Regulation S-K and on the basis 
of limited procedures specified in such letter nothing came to their 
attention as a result of the foregoing procedures that caused them to believe 
that this information does not conform in all material respects with the 
disclosure requirements of Items 301 and 402, respectively, of Regulation 
S-K; 

   (vi) On the basis of limited procedures, not constituting an examination 
in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, consisting of a 
reading of the unaudited financial statements and other information referred 
to below, a reading of the latest available interim financial statements of 
the Company and its subsidiaries, inspection of the minute books of the 
Company and its subsidiaries since the date of the latest audited financial 
statements included in the Prospectus, inquiries of officials of the Company 
and its subsidiaries responsible for financial and accounting matters and 
such other inquiries and procedures as may be specified in such letter, 
nothing came to their attention that caused them to believe that: 

     (A) any material modifications should be made to the unaudited condensed 
    consolidated statements of income, consolidated balance sheets and 
    consolidated statements of cash flows included in the Prospectus for them 
    to be in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles; 

                               21           
<PAGE>
     (B) any unaudited pro forma consolidated condensed financial statements 
    included in the Prospectus do not comply as to form in all material 
    respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the Act and the 
    published rules and regulations thereunder or the pro forma adjustments 
    have not been properly applied to the historical amounts in the 
    compilation of those statements; 

     (C) as of a specified date not more than five days prior to the date of 
    such letter, there have been any changes in the consolidated capital stock 
    (other than issuances of capital stock upon exercise of options and stock 
    appreciation rights, upon earn-outs of performance shares and upon 
    conversions of convertible securities, in each case which were outstanding 
    on the date of the latest financial statements included in the Prospectus) 
    or any increase in the consolidated long-term debt of the Company and its 
    subsidiaries, or any decreases in consolidated net current assets or 
    stockholders' equity or other items specified by the Representatives, or 
    any increases in any items specified by the Representatives, in each case 
    as compared with amounts shown in the latest balance sheet included in the 
    Prospectus, except in each case for changes, increases or decreases which 
    the Prospectus discloses have occurred or may occur or which are described 
    in such letter; and 

     (D) for the period from the date of the latest financial statements 
    included in the Prospectus to the specified date referred to in Clause (C) 
    there were any decreases in consolidated net revenues or operating profit 
    or the total or per share amounts of consolidated net income or other 
    items specified by the Representatives, or any increases in any items 
    specified by the Representatives, in each case as compared with the 
    comparable period of the preceding year and with any other period of 
    corresponding length specified by the Representatives, except in each case 
    for decreases or increases which the Prospectus discloses have occurred or 
    may occur or which are described in such letter; and 

   (vii) In addition to the examination referred to in their report(s) 
included in the Prospectus and the limited procedures, inspection of minute 
books, inquiries and other procedures referred to in paragraphs (iii) and 
(vi) above, they have carried out certain specified procedures, not 
constituting an examination in accordance with generally accepted auditing 
standards, with respect to certain amounts, percentages and financial 
information specified by the Representatives, which are derived from the 
general accounting records of the Company and its subsidiaries, which appear 
in the Prospectus, or in Part II of, or in exhibits and schedules to, the 
Registration Statement specified by the Representatives, and have compared 
certain of such amounts, percentages and financial information with the 
accounting records of the Company and its subsidiaries and have found them to 
be in agreement. 

                               22           
<PAGE>
                       CONSOLIDATED CIGAR HOLDINGS INC. 

                             CLASS A COMMON STOCK 
                          (PAR VALUE $.01 PER SHARE) 

                          -------------------------

                            UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT 
                           (INTERNATIONAL VERSION) 
                          -------------------------

                                                                 March  , 1997 

Goldman Sachs International 
Merrill Lynch International 
Morgan Stanley International Limited 
 As representatives of the several Underwriters 
  named in Schedule I hereto, 
c/o Goldman Sachs International 
Peterborough Court 
133 Fleet Street 
London EC4A 2BB, England 

Ladies and Gentlemen: 

   Mafco Consolidated Group Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Selling 
Stockholder"), proposes, subject to the terms and conditions stated herein, 
to sell to the Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto (the "Underwriters") 
an aggregate of 1,000,000 shares (the "Firm Shares") and, at the election of 
the Underwriters, up to 150,000 additional shares (the "Optional Shares") of 
Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Stock"), of Consolidated 
Cigar Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company") (the Firm Shares 
and the Optional Shares which the Underwriters elect to purchase pursuant to 
Section 2 hereof being collectively called the "Shares"). 

   It is understood and agreed to by all parties that the Company and the 
Selling Stockholder are concurrently entering into an agreement, a copy of 
which is attached hereto (the "U.S. Underwriting Agreement"), providing for 
the offering by the Selling Stockholder of up to a total of 4,600,000 shares 
of Stock (the "U.S. Shares"), including the over-allotment option thereunder, 
through arrangements with certain underwriters in the United States (the 
"U.S. Underwriters"), for whom Goldman, Sachs & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, 
Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated are acting 
as representatives. Anything herein and therein to the contrary 
notwithstanding, the respective closings under this Agreement and the U.S. 
Underwriting Agreement are hereby expressly made conditional on one another. 
The Underwriters hereunder and the U.S. Underwriters are simultaneously 
entering into an Agreement between U.S. and International Underwriting 
Syndicates (the "Agreement between Syndicates") which provides, among other 
things, for the transfer of shares of Stock between the two syndicates and 
for consultation by the Lead Managers hereunder with Goldman, Sachs & Co. 
prior to exercising the rights of the Underwriters under Section 7 hereof. 
Two forms of prospectus are to be used in connection with the offering and 
sale of shares of Stock contemplated by the foregoing, one relating to the 
Shares hereunder and the other relating to the U.S. Shares. The latter form 
of prospectus will be identical to the former except for certain substitute 
pages as included in the registration statement and amendments thereto as 
mentioned below. Except as used in Sections 2, 3, 4, 9 and 11 herein, and 
except as the context may otherwise require, references hereinafter to the 
Shares shall include all of the shares of Stock which may be sold pursuant to 
either this Agreement or the U.S. Underwriting Agreement, and references 
herein to any prospectus whether in preliminary or final form, and whether as 
amended or supplemented, shall include both of the U.S. and the international 
versions thereof. 

   In addition, this Agreement incorporates by reference certain provisions 
from the U.S. Underwriting Agreement (including the related definitions of 
terms, which are also used elsewhere herein) and, for 

                                1           
<PAGE>
purposes of applying the same, references (whether in these precise words or 
their equivalent) in the incorporated provisions to the "Underwriters" shall 
be to the Underwriters hereunder, to the "Shares" shall be to the Shares 
hereunder as just defined, to "this Agreement" (meaning therein the U.S. 
Underwriting Agreement) shall be to this Agreement (except where this 
Agreement is already referred to or as the context may otherwise require) and 
to the representatives of the Underwriters or to Goldman, Sachs & Co. shall 
be to the addressees of this Agreement and to Goldman Sachs International 
("GSI"), and, in general, all such provisions and defined terms shall be 
applied mutatis mutandis as if the incorporated provisions were set forth in 
full herein having regard to their context in this Agreement as opposed to 
the U.S. Underwriting Agreement. 

   1. (a) The Company hereby makes with the Underwriters the same 
representations, warranties and agreements as are set forth in Section 1(a) 
of the U.S. Underwriting Agreement, which Section is incorporated herein by 
this reference. 

   (b) The Selling Stockholder hereby makes with the Underwriters and the 
Company the same representations, warranties and agreements as are set forth 
in Section 1(b) of the U.S. Underwriting Agreement, which Section is 
incorporated herein by reference. 

   2. Subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, (a) the Selling 
Stockholder agrees to sell to each of the Underwriters, and each of the 
Underwriters agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Selling 
Stockholder, at a purchase price per share of $   , the number of Firm Shares 
set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in Schedule I hereto and (b) 
in the event and to the extent that the Underwriters shall exercise the 
election to purchase Optional Shares as provided below, the Selling 
Stockholder agrees to sell to each of the Underwriters, and each of the 
Underwriters agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Selling 
Stockholder, at the purchase price per share set forth in clause (a) of this 
Section 2, that portion of the number of Optional Shares as to which such 
election shall have been exercised (to be adjusted by you so as to eliminate 
fractional shares) determined by multiplying such number of Optional Shares 
by a fraction the numerator of which is the maximum number of Optional Shares 
which such Underwriter is entitled to purchase as set forth opposite the name 
of such Underwriter in Schedule I hereto and the denominator of which is the 
maximum number of Optional Shares that all of the Underwriters are entitled 
to purchase hereunder. 

   The Selling Stockholder hereby grants to the Underwriters the right to 
purchase at their election up to 150,000 Optional Shares, at the purchase 
price per share set forth in the paragraph above, for the sole purpose of 
covering overallotments in the sale of the Firm Shares. Any such election to 
purchase Optional Shares may be exercised only by written notice from you to 
the Selling Stockholder, given within a period of 30 calendar days after the 
date of this Agreement, setting forth the aggregate number of Optional Shares 
to be purchased and the date on which such Optional Shares are to be 
delivered, as determined by you but in no event earlier than the First Time 
of Delivery (as defined in Section 4 hereof) or, unless you and the Selling 
Stockholder otherwise agree in writing, earlier than two or later than ten 
business days after the date of such notice. 

   3. Upon the authorization by GSI of the release of the Firm Shares, the 
several Underwriters propose to offer the Firm Shares for sale upon the terms 
and conditions set forth in the Prospectus and in the forms of Agreement 
among Underwriters (International Version) and Selling Agreements, which have 
been previously submitted to the Company and the Selling Stockholder by you. 
Each Underwriter hereby makes to and with the Company and the Selling 
Stockholder the representations and agreements of such Underwriter as a 
member of the selling group contained in Sections 3(d) and 3(e) of the form 
of Selling Agreements. 

   4. (a) The Shares to be purchased by each Underwriter hereunder, in 
definitive form, and in such authorized denominations and registered in such 
names as GSI may request upon at least forty-eight hours prior notice to the 
Selling Stockholder shall be delivered by or on behalf of the Selling 
Stockholder to GSI, for the account of such Underwriter, against payment by 
or on behalf of such Underwriter of the purchase price therefor in same-day 
funds. The Selling Stockholder will cause the certificates representing the 
Shares to be made available for checking and packaging at least twenty four 
hours prior to the Time of Delivery (as defined below) with respect thereto 
at the office of GSI, 85 Broad Street, New 

                                2           
<PAGE>
York, New York 10004 (the "Designated Office"). The time and date of such 
delivery and payment shall be, with respect to the Firm Shares, 9:30 a.m., 
New York City time, on March  , 1997 or such other time and date as GSI and 
the Selling Stockholder may agree upon in writing, and, with respect to the 
Optional Shares, 9:30 a.m., New York City time, on the date specified by GSI 
in the written notice given by GSI of the Underwriters election to purchase 
such Optional Shares, or such other time and date as GSI and the Selling 
Stockholder may agree upon in writing. Such time and date for delivery of the 
Firm Shares is herein called the "First Time of Delivery", such time and date 
for delivery of the Optional Shares, if not the First Time of Delivery, is 
herein called the "Second Time of Delivery", and each such time and date for 
delivery is herein called a "Time of Delivery". 

   (b) The documents to be delivered at each Time of Delivery by or on behalf 
of the parties hereto pursuant to Section 7 of the U.S. Underwriting 
Agreement, including the cross receipt for the Shares and any additional 
documents requested by the Underwriters pursuant to Section 7(j) of the U.S. 
Underwriting Agreement hereof, will be delivered at the offices of Cravath, 
Swaine & Moore, 825 Eighth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10019 (the "Closing 
Location"), and the Shares will be delivered at the Designated Office, all at 
such Time of Delivery. A meeting will be held at the Closing Location at 2:00 
p.m., New York City time, on the New York Business Day next preceding such 
Time of Delivery, at which meeting the final drafts of the documents to be 
delivered pursuant to the preceding sentence will be available for review by 
the parties hereto. For the purposes of this Section 4, "New York Business 
Day" shall mean each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is 
not a day on which banking institutions in New York are generally authorized 
or obligated by law or executive order to close. 

   5. The Company hereby makes to the Underwriters the same agreements as are 
set forth in Section 5 of the U.S. Underwriting Agreement, which Section is 
incorporated herein by this reference. 

   6. The Company, the Selling Stockholder and the Underwriters hereby agree 
with respect to certain expenses on the same terms as are set forth in 
Section 6 of the U.S. Underwriting Agreement, which Section is incorporated 
herein by this reference. 

   7. Subject to the provisions of the Agreement between Syndicates, the 
obligations of the Underwriters hereunder shall be subject, in their 
discretion, at each Time of Delivery, to the condition that all 
representations and warranties and other statements of the Company and the 
Selling Stockholder herein are, at and as of such Time of Delivery, true and 
correct, the condition that each of the Company and the Selling Stockholder 
shall have performed all of its obligations hereunder theretofore to be 
performed, and additional conditions identical to those set forth in Section 
7 of the U.S. Underwriting Agreement, which Section is incorporated herein by 
this reference. 

   8. (a) The Company will indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter and 
the Selling Stockholder against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, 
joint or several, to which such Underwriter or the Selling Stockholder may 
become subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, 
damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are 
based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact 
contained in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the 
Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are 
based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact 
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not 
misleading, and will reimburse each Underwriter and the Selling Stockholder 
for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Underwriter or 
the Selling Stockholder in connection with investigating or defending any 
such action or claim as such expenses are incurred; provided, however, that 
the Company shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such 
loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue 
statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in 
any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or 
any such amendment or supplement which (i) in the case of any Underwriter, is 
made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to 
the Company by any Underwriter through GSI expressly for use therein or (ii) 
in the case of the Selling Stockholder, related to the Selling Stockholder; 
and provided further, however, that the Company shall not be liable with 
respect to any Preliminary Prospectus to any Underwriter (or any person 
controlling 

                                3           
<PAGE>
such Underwriter) from whom the person asserting any such loss, claim, damage 
or liability purchased the Shares which are the subject thereof if such 
person did not receive a copy of the Prospectus (or the Prospectus as 
supplemented) at or prior to the confirmation of the sale of such Shares to 
such person in any case where such delivery is required by the Act and (A) 
the defect in such Preliminary Prospectus was cured in the Prospectus (or the 
Prospectus as supplemented) and (B) such Underwriter had previously been 
furnished by or on behalf of the Company (prior to the date of mailing by 
such Underwriter of the applicable confirmation) with a sufficient number of 
copies of the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented. 

   (b) The Selling Stockholder will indemnify and hold harmless each 
Underwriter and the Company against any losses, claims, damages or 
liabilities, joint or several, to which such Underwriter or the Company may 
become subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, 
damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are 
based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact 
contained in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the 
Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are 
based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact 
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not 
misleading, and will reimburse each Underwriter and the Company for any legal 
or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Underwriter or the Company in 
connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim as such 
expenses are incurred; provided, however, that the Selling Stockholder shall 
not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, 
damage or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or 
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in any 
Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or any 
such amendment or supplement in reliance upon and in conformity with written 
information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through GSI expressly 
for use therein and that the Selling Stockholder shall only be liable to the 
extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is 
based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or 
alleged omission relating to the Selling Stockholder; and, provided further, 
however, that the Selling Stockholder shall not be liable with respect to any 
Preliminary Prospectus to any Underwriter (or any person controlling such 
Underwriter) from whom the person asserting any such loss, claim, damage or 
liability purchased the Shares which are the subject thereof if such person 
did not receive a copy of the Prospectus (or the Prospectus as supplemented) 
at or prior to the confirmation of the sale of such Shares to such person in 
any case where such delivery is required by the Act and (A) the defect in 
such Preliminary Prospectus was cured in the Prospectus (or the Prospectus as 
supplemented) and (B) such Underwriter had previously been furnished by or on 
behalf of the Company (prior to the date of mailing by such Underwriter of 
the applicable confirmation) with a sufficient number of copies of the 
Prospectus as supplemented. 

   (c) Each Underwriter will indemnify and hold harmless the Company and the 
Selling Stockholder against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to 
which the Company and the Selling Stockholder may become subject, under the 
Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or 
actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon an untrue 
statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any 
Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or any 
amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the 
omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be 
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in 
each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement 
or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in any 
Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or Prospectus or any such 
amendment or supplement in reliance upon and in conformity with written 
information furnished to the Company by such Underwriter through GSI 
expressly for use therein; and will reimburse the Company and the Selling 
Stockholder for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the 
Company and the Selling Stockholder in connection with investigating or 
defending any such action or claim as such expenses are incurred. 

   (d) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under subsection (a), 
(b) or (c) above of notice of the commencement of any action, such 
indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against 
the indemnifying party under such subsection, notify the indemnifying party 
in writing of the 

                                4           
<PAGE>
commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party 
shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any indemnified 
party under such subsection, except to the extent it has been materially 
prejudiced by such failure. In case any such action shall be brought against 
any indemnified party and it shall notify the indemnifying party of the 
commencement thereof, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate 
therein and, to the extent that it shall wish, jointly with any other 
indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with 
counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party (who shall not, 
except with the consent of the indemnified party, be counsel to the 
indemnifying party), and, after notice from the indemnifying party to such 
indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense thereof, the 
indemnifying party shall not be liable to such indemnified party under such 
subsection for any legal expenses of other counsel or any other expenses, in 
each case subsequently incurred by such indemnified party, in connection with 
the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation; provided, 
however, if the defendants in any such action include both an indemnified 
party and an indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have 
reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or 
other indemnified parties that are different from or additional to those 
available to the indemnifying party, the indemnified party or parties under 
subsection (a), (b) or (c) above shall have the right to employ not more than 
one counsel (and one local counsel in each jurisdiction) reasonably 
satisfactory to the indemnifying party to represent them and, in that event, 
the fees and expenses of not more than one such separate counsel shall be 
paid by the indemnifying party, as such expenses are incurred. No 
indemnifying party shall, without the written consent of the indemnified 
party, effect the settlement or compromise of, or consent to the entry of any 
judgment with respect to, any pending or threatened action or claim in 
respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder 
(whether or not the indemnified party is an actual or potential party to such 
action or claim) unless such settlement, compromise or judgment (i) includes 
an unconditional release of the indemnified party from all liability arising 
out of such action or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an 
admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act, by or on behalf of any 
indemnified party. 

   (e) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 is unavailable 
to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under subsection 
(a), (b) or (c) above in respect of any losses, claims, damages or 
liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to therein, then each 
indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such 
indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities 
(or actions in respect thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate to 
reflect the relative benefits received by the Company and the Selling 
Stockholder on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other from the 
offering of the Shares. If, however, the allocation provided by the 
immediately preceding sentence is not permitted by applicable law or if the 
indemnified party failed to give the notice required under subsection (d) 
above, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to such amount paid or 
payable by such indemnified party in such proportion as is appropriate to 
reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the 
Company and the Selling Stockholder on the one hand and the Underwriters on 
the other in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in 
such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof), 
as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits 
received by the Company and the Selling Stockholder on the one hand and the 
Underwriters on the other shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the 
total net proceeds from the offering of the Shares purchased under this 
Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by the Company and the Selling 
Stockholder on the one hand bear to the total underwriting discounts and 
commissions received by the Underwriters on the other with respect to the 
Shares purchased under this Agreement, in each case as set forth in the table 
on the cover page of the Prospectus relating to such Shares. The relative 
fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the 
untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or 
alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by 
the Company or the Selling Stockholder on the one hand or the Underwriters on 
the other and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information 
and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The 
Company, the Selling Stockholder and the Underwriters agree that it would not 
be just and equitable if contributions pursuant to this subsection (e) were 
determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as 
one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does 
not take account 

                                5           
<PAGE>
of the equitable considerations referred to above in this subsection (e). The 
amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, 
claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to 
above in this subsection (e) shall be deemed to include any legal or other 
expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with 
investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the 
provisions of this subsection (e), no Underwriter shall be required to 
contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at 
which the Shares underwritten by it and distributed to the public were 
offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such 
Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or 
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of 
fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) 
shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such 
fraudulent misrepresentation. The Underwriters' obligations in this 
subsection (e) to contribute are several in proportion to their respective 
underwriting obligations and not joint. 

   (f) The obligations of the Company and the Selling Stockholder under this 
Section 8 shall be in addition to any liability which the Company and the 
Selling Stockholder may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same terms 
and conditions, to each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within 
the meaning of the Act; and the obligations of the Underwriters under this 
Section 8 shall be in addition to any liability which the respective 
Underwriters may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same terms and 
conditions, to each officer and director of the Company or the Selling 
Stockholder and to each person, if any, who controls the Company or the 
Selling Stockholder within the meaning of the Act. The obligations of the 
Selling Stockholder under this Section 8 shall not exceed the amount of the 
net proceeds received by the Selling Stockholder in connection with the sale 
of the Shares hereunder and under the U.S. Underwriting Agreement. 

   9. (a) If any Underwriter shall default in its obligation to purchase the 
Shares which it has agreed to purchase hereunder at a Time of Delivery, you 
may in your discretion arrange for you or another party or other parties to 
purchase such Shares on the terms contained herein. If within thirty-six 
hours after such default by any Underwriter you do not arrange for the 
purchase of such Shares, then the Selling Stockholder shall be entitled to a 
further period of thirty-six hours within which to procure another party or 
other parties satisfactory to you to purchase such Shares on such terms. In 
the event that, within the respective prescribed periods, you notify the 
Selling Stockholder that you have so arranged for the purchase of such 
Shares, or the Selling Stockholder notifies you that it has so arranged for 
the purchase of such Shares, you or the Selling Stockholder shall have the 
right to postpone such Time of Delivery for a period of not more than seven 
days, in order to effect whatever changes may thereby be made necessary in 
the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or in any other documents or 
arrangements, and the Company agrees to file promptly any amendments to the 
Registration Statement or the Prospectus which in your opinion may thereby be 
made necessary. The term "Underwriter" as used in this Agreement shall 
include any person substituted under this Section with like effect as if such 
person had originally been a party to this Agreement with respect to such 
Shares. 

   (b) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the 
Shares of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by you and the Selling 
Stockholder as provided in subsection (a) above, the aggregate number of such 
Shares which remains unpurchased does not exceed one-eleventh of the 
aggregate number of all the Shares to be purchased at such Time of Delivery, 
then the Selling Stockholder shall have the right to require each 
non-defaulting Underwriter to purchase the number of shares which such 
Underwriter agreed to purchase hereunder at such Time of Delivery and, in 
addition, to require each non-defaulting Underwriter to purchase its pro rata 
share (based on the number of Shares which such Underwriter agreed to 
purchase hereunder) of the Shares of such defaulting Underwriter or 
Underwriters for which such arrangements have not been made; but nothing 
herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter from liability for its default. 

   (c) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the 
Shares of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by you and the Selling 
Stockholder as provided in subsection (a) above, the aggregate number of such 
Shares which remains unpurchased exceeds one-eleventh of the aggregate number 
of all the Shares to be purchased at such Time of Delivery, or if the Selling 
Stockholder shall not exercise the right described in subsection (b) above to 
require non-defaulting Underwriters to purchase 

                                6           
<PAGE>
Shares of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters, then this Agreement (or, 
with respect to the Second Time of Delivery, the obligation of the 
Underwriters to purchase and of the Selling Stockholder to sell the Optional 
Shares) shall thereupon terminate, without liability on the part of any 
non-defaulting Underwriter or the Selling Stockholder, except for the 
expenses to be borne by the Selling Stockholder and the Underwriters as 
provided in Section 6 hereof and the indemnity and contribution agreements in 
Section 8 hereof; but nothing herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter 
from liability for its default. 

   10. The respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties 
and other statements of the Company, the Selling Stockholder and the several 
Underwriters, as set forth in this Agreement or made by or on behalf of them, 
respectively, pursuant to this Agreement, shall remain in full force and 
effect, regardless of any investigation (or any statement as to the results 
thereof) made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or any controlling person of 
any Underwriter, or the Company, or the Selling Stockholder, or any officer 
or director or controlling person of the Company, or any controlling person 
of the Selling Stockholder, and shall survive delivery of and payment for the 
Shares. 

   11. If this Agreement shall be terminated pursuant to Section 9 hereof, 
neither the Company nor the Selling Stockholder shall then be under any 
liability to any Underwriter except as provided in Section 6 and Section 8 
hereof, but, if for any other reason any Shares are not delivered by or on 
behalf of the Selling Stockholder as provided herein, the Selling Stockholder 
will reimburse the Underwriters through GSI for all out-of-pocket expenses 
approved in writing by GSI, including fees and disbursements of counsel, 
reasonably incurred by the Underwriters in making preparations for the 
purchase, sale and delivery of the Shares not so delivered, but the Company 
and Selling Stockholder shall then be under no further liability to any 
Underwriter in respect of the Shares not so delivered except as provided in 
Sections 6 and 8 hereof. 

   12. In all dealings hereunder, you shall act on behalf of each of the 
Underwriters, and the parties hereto shall be entitled to act and rely upon 
any statement, request, notice or agreement on behalf of any Underwriter made 
or given by you jointly or by GSI on your behalf. 

   All statements, requests, notices and agreements hereunder shall be in 
writing, and if to the Underwriters shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex 
or facsimile transmission to the Underwriters in care of GSI, Peterborough 
Court, 133 Fleet Street, London EC4A 2BB, England, Attention: Equity Capital 
Markets, Telex No. 94012165, facsimile transmission No. (071) 774-1550; if to 
the Selling Stockholder shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or 
facsimile transmission to 35 East 62nd Street, New York, New York 10021, 
Attention: Barry F. Schwartz; and if to the Company shall be delivered or 
sent by registered mail, telex or facsimile transmission to the address of 
the Company set forth in the Registration Statement, Attention: Secretary; 
provided, however, that any notice to an Underwriter pursuant to Section 8(c) 
hereof shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or facsimile transmission to 
such Underwriter at its address set forth in its Underwriters' Questionnaire, 
or telex constituting such Questionnaire, which address will be supplied to 
the Company or the Selling Stockholder by GSI upon request. Any such 
statements, requests, notices or agreements shall take effect upon receipt 
thereof. 

   13. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure solely to the benefit 
of, the Underwriters, the Company and the Selling Stockholder, and, to the 
extent provided in Sections 8 and 10 hereof, the officers and directors of 
the Company and each person who controls the Company, the Selling Stockholder 
or any Underwriter, and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, 
successors and assigns, and no other person shall acquire or have any right 
under or by virtue of this Agreement. No purchaser of any of the Shares from 
any Underwriter shall be deemed a successor or assign by reason merely of 
such purchase. 

   14. Time shall be of the essence of this Agreement. 

   15. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH 
THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 

   16. This Agreement may be executed by any one or more of the parties 
hereto in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an 
original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the 
same instrument. 

                                7           
<PAGE>
   If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign and 
return to us one for the Company, one for the Selling Stockholder and one for 
each of the Co-Lead Managers or Lead Managing Underwriters plus one for each 
counsel counterparts hereof, and upon the acceptance hereof by you, on behalf 
of each of the Underwriters, the Selling Stockholder, this letter and such 
acceptance hereof shall constitute a binding agreement among each of the 
Underwriters, the Selling Stockholder and the Company. It is understood that 
your acceptance of this letter on behalf of each of the Underwriters is 
pursuant to the authority set forth in a form of Agreement among Underwriters 
(International Version), the form of which shall be furnished to the Company 
and the Selling Stockholder for examination upon request, but without 
warranty on your part as to the authority of the signers thereof. 

                                          Very truly yours, 

                                          Consolidated Cigar Holdings Inc. 
                                          By: 
                                              ------------------------------- 
                                              Name: 
                                              Title: 

                                          Mafco Consolidated Group Inc. 
                                          By: 
                                              ------------------------------- 
                                              Name: 
                                              Title: 

Accepted as of the date hereof: 

Goldman Sachs International 
Merrill Lynch International 
Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited 

By: Goldman Sachs International 

By: 
    ---------------------------------------
    (Attorney-in-fact) 
    On behalf of each of the Underwriters 

                                8           
<PAGE>
                                  SCHEDULE I 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             NUMBER OF OPTIONAL 
                                                             SHARES TO BE 
                                            TOTAL NUMBER OF  PURCHASED IF 
                                            FIRM SHARES      MAXIMUM OPTION 
UNDERWRITER                                 TO BE PURCHASED  EXERCISED 
- ------------------------------------------  ---------------  ------------------ 
<S>                                         <C>              <C>
Goldman Sachs International ............... 
Merrill Lynch International ............... 
Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited 
                                            ---------------  ------------------ 
Total .....................................     1,000,000          150,000 
                                            ===============  ================== 

</TABLE>

                                9           





<PAGE>
                    Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
                                919 Third Avenue
                            New York, New York 10022
                                 (212) 735-3000


                                                     February 28, 1997



Consolidated Cigar Holdings Inc.
5900 North Andrews Avenue
Suite 700
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309-2369

                           Re:      Consolidated Cigar Holdings Inc.
                                    Registration Statement on Form S-1
                                    -----------------------------------


Ladies and Gentlemen:

                  We have acted as special counsel to Consolidated Cigar
Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the
public offering by a certain stockholder of the Company (the "Selling
Stockholder") of up to 5,750,000 shares (including 750,000 shares subject to
over-allotment options) of the Company's Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01
per share (the "Class A Common Stock"). Such shares of Class A Common Stock,
together with any additional shares of Class A Common Stock which are
registered in a registration statement (a "Rule 462(b) Registration Statement")
filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), are collectively referred to herein as the "Shares".

                  This opinion is being furnished in accordance with the
requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act.

                  In connection with this opinion, we have examined originals
or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of (i) the
Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-20743), as filed with the

<PAGE>


Consolidated Cigar Holdings Inc.
February 28, 1997
Page 2


Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on January 30, 1997 under
the Securities Act, and Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement, as filed
with the Commission on February 28, 1997 under the Securities Act (such
Registration Statement, as so amended, being hereinafter referred to as the
"Registration Statement"); (ii) a specimen certificate representing the Class A
Common Stock; (iii) the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
the Company as presently in effect; (iv) the Amended and Restated By-Laws of
the Company, as presently in effect; and (v) certain resolutions of the Board
of Directors of the Company relating to the issuance to the Selling Stockholder
of the shares of Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, that will be
converted into the Shares immediately prior to the sale thereof pursuant to the
Registration Statement (the "Class B Common Stock") and related matters. We
have also examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to
our satisfaction, of such records of the Company and such agreements,
certificates of public officials, certificates of officers or other
representatives of the Company and others, and such other documents,
certificates and records as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis
for the opinion set forth herein.

                  In our examination, we have assumed the legal capacity of all
natural persons, the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all
documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of
all documents submitted to us as certified, conformed or photostatic copies and
the authenticity of the originals of such latter documents. In making our
examination of documents executed or to be executed by parties other than the
Company, we have assumed that such parties had or will have the power,
corporate or other, to enter into and perform all obligations thereunder and
have also assumed the due authorization by all requisite action, corporate or
other, and execution and delivery by such parties of such documents and the
validity and binding effect thereof. As to any facts material to the opinions
expressed herein that we have not independently established or verified, we
have relied upon statements and representations of officers and other
representatives of the Company and others.
 

                                      2
<PAGE>


Consolidated Cigar Holdings Inc.
February 28, 1997
Page 3


                  Members of our firm are admitted to the bar in the State of
New York, and we do not express any opinion as to the laws of any other
jurisdiction other than the Delaware General Corporation Law.

                  Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the
opinion that the Shares have been duly authorized and that (i) when the Class B
Common Stock is converted into the Shares and (ii) assuming that the
certificates representing the Shares conform to the form of the specimen
thereof examined by us and that such certificates have been manually signed by
one of the authorized officers of the transfer agent and registrar for the
Class A Common Stock, the Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.

                  We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the
Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. We also consent to the
reference to our firm under the caption "Legal Matters" in the Registration
Statement. We further consent to the incorporation of this opinion by reference
as an exhibit to any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and to the reference to
our firm under the caption "Legal Matters" in the prospectus included or
incorporated by reference in any such Rule 462(b) Registration Statement. In
giving this consent, we do not hereby admit that we are included in the
category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities
Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission.

                                        Very truly yours,



                              Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

                                       3




<PAGE>

                               ELEVENTH AMENDMENT

         ELEVENTH AMENDMENT, dated as of February 3, 1997 (this "Amendment"),
to the Credit Agreement, dated as of February 23, 1993 (as amended from time to
time prior to the date hereof, the "Credit Agreement"), among Consolidated
Cigar Corporation (individually and as successor by merger to Consolidated
Cigar Acquisition Corporation, the "Company"), Congar Newco Inc. ("Congar
Newco"), the financial institutions from time to time parties thereto (the
"Banks") and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as agent (in such capacity, the
"Agent").

                             W I T N E S S E T H :

         WHEREAS, each of the Company and Congar Newco is a party to the Credit
Agreement;

         WHEREAS, each of the Company and Congar Newco has requested that the
Banks amend the Credit Agreement as more fully set forth herein;

         WHEREAS, the Banks and the Agent are willing to consent to such
amendments only upon the terms, and subject to the conditions, set forth
herein;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
covenants contained herein, the Company, Congar Newco, the Banks and the Agent
hereby agree as follows:

         1. Definitions. All terms defined in the Credit Agreement shall have
such defined meanings when used herein unless otherwise defined herein.

         2. Amendment to Section 1.01--Definition of Applicable Margin. The
definition of "Applicable Margin" set forth in Section 1.01 of the Credit
Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

         "Applicable Margin" shall mean: (a) with respect to Base Rate Loans,
    0%; (b) with respect to Eurodollar Loans, 1.00%; and (c) with respect to
    936 Rate Loans, 1.00%; provided that the Applicable Margin for each Type of
    Loans, for any period from and including the Quarterly Date occurring on or
    immediately following the date on which the Company shall have delivered a
    certificate of the Company signed on its behalf by a Senior Financial
    Officer to the Agent demonstrating in reasonable detail (based upon
    financial statements for the fiscal period of the Company most recently
    ended that have been delivered to the Banks pursuant to Section 9.01(a) or
    (b) hereof) that the Consolidated Debt to Cash Flow Ratio, as of the last
    day of such fiscal period, is within one of the ranges set forth below to
    but excluding the next succeeding Quarterly Date, shall equal the
    percentage set forth below for Loans of such Type:

<PAGE>

                                                                              2

Consolidated
Debt to Cash                 Base Rate        Eurodollar        936 Rate
 Flow Ratio                    Loans            Loans             Loans
- -----------                ---------        ----------        --------
Greater than                   1.75%             2.75%            2.75%
  4.00 to 1

Less than or equal to          1.50%             2.50%            2.50%
  4.00 to 1 but
  greater than
  3.25 to 1

Less than or equal to          1.00%             2.00%            2.00%
  3.25 to 1 but
  greater than
  2.50 to 1

Less than or equal to           .50%             1.50%            1.50%
  2.50 to 1 but
  greater than
  2.00 to 1

Less than or equal                0%             1.00%            1.00%
 to 2.00 to 1

    provided further that (i) during any period when an Event of Default shall
    have occurred and be continuing, the Consolidated Debt to Cash Flow Ratio
    for the purposes of this definition shall be deemed to be greater than 4.00
    to 1, (ii) in calculating the Consolidated Debt to Cash Flow Ratio for the
    purposes of this definition, Consolidated Cash Flow shall be calculated
    without reference to clause (c) in the definition of "Consolidated Cash
    Flow" in this Section 1.01 and (iii) no change in the Applicable Margin in
    effect on January 29, 1997 shall be effected pursuant to this definition
    until financial statements for the fiscal year of the Company ending
    December 31, 1996 shall have been delivered pursuant to Section 9.01(a)
    hereof.

         3. Amendment to Section 1.01--Definition of Commitment Fee Rate.
Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following
definition in the appropriate alphabetical order:

         "Commitment Fee Rate" shall mean 0.25% per annum; provided that the
    Commitment Fee Rate, for any period from and including the Quarterly Date
    occurring on or immediately following the date on which the Company shall
    have delivered a certificate of the Company signed on its behalf by a
    Senior Financial Officer to the Agent demonstrating in reasonable detail
    (based upon financial statements for the fiscal period of the Company most
    recently ended that have been delivered to the Banks pursuant to Section
    9.01(a) or (b) hereof) that the Consolidated Debt to Cash Flow Ratio, as of
    the last day of such fiscal period, is within one of the

<PAGE>

                                                                              3

    ranges set forth below to but excluding the next succeeding Quarterly Date,
    shall equal the percentage per annum set forth below:


         Consolidated                                      Commitment
         Debt to Cash                                         Fee
          Flow Ratio                                          Rate
         ------------                                      ----------

         Greater than                                        0.500%
          2.50 to 1

    Less than or equal to                                    0.375%
        2.50 to 1 but
        greater than
          2.00 to 1

     Less than or equal                                      0.250%
        to 2.00 to 1


    provided further that (i) during any period when an Event of Default shall
    have occurred and be continuing, the Consolidated Debt to Cash Flow Ratio
    for the purposes of this definition shall be deemed to be greater than 2.50
    to 1, (ii) in calculating the Consolidated Debt to Cash Flow Ratio for the
    purposes of this definition, Consolidated Cash Flow shall be calculated
    without reference to clause (c) in the definition of "Consolidated Cash
    Flow" in this Section 1.01 and (iii) no change in the commitment fee in
    effect on January 29,1997 shall be effected pursuant to this definition
    until financial statements for the fiscal year of the Company ending
    December 31, 1996 shall have been delivered pursuant to Section 9.01(a)
    hereof.

         4. Amendment to Section 2.04--Scheduled RC Commitment Reductions. The
text of each of paragraph (b) and paragraph (d) of Section 2.04 of the Credit
Agreement is hereby deleted and, in each case, replaced with the reference
"[INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]". In addition, the definition of "Non-Scheduled RC
Reduction" is hereby deleted from Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement.

         5. Amendment to Section 2.05--Commitment Fees. Section 2.05 of the
Credit Agreement is hereby amended by replacing each reference to the
percentage "1/2 of 1%" contained therein with a reference to the term "the
Commitment Fee Rate".

         6. Amendment to Section 2.10--Excess Cash Flow. The text of paragraph
(d) of Section 2.10 of the Credit Agreement is hereby deleted and replaced with
the reference "[INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]". In addition, the definition of "Excess
Cash Flow" is hereby deleted from Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement.

         7. Amendment to Section 9.09--Purchase of Subordinated Notes. Section
9.09 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by adding a new clause (vii) at
the end of paragraph (d) thereof which shall read in its entirety as follows:

<PAGE>

                                                                              4

         "(vii) the Company may, so long as no Default shall have occurred and
    be continuing or would result therefrom, purchase or redeem the
    Subordinated Notes and pay premiums in connection therewith, provided that
    not more than $25,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated
    Notes may be so purchased or optionally redeemed during the term of this
    Agreement."

         8. Amendment to Section 9.11--Capital Expenditures. Section 9.11 of
the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by changing each reference to the amount
"$5,100,000" contained therein to the amount "$5,500,000".

         9. RC Commitments. The parties hereto hereby agree that, on the date
hereof, the aggregate amount of the RC Commitments is equal to $14,887,410.

         10. Conditions to Effectiveness. This Amendment shall become effective
on and as of the date that the Agent shall have received counterparts of this
Amendment, duly executed by the Company, Congar Newco and each Bank.

         11. Representations and Warranties. Each of the Company and Congar
Newco, as of the date hereof and after giving effect to the amendments
contained herein, hereby confirms, reaffirms and restates the representations
and warranties made by it in Section 8 of the Credit Agreement and otherwise in
the Credit Documents to which it is a party; provided that each reference to
the Credit Agreement therein shall be deemed to be a reference to the Credit
Agreement after giving effect to this Amendment.

         12. Reference to and Effect on the Credit Documents; Limited Effect.
On and after the date hereof and the satisfaction of the conditions contained
in Section 10 of this Amendment, each reference in the Credit Agreement to
"this Agreement", "hereunder", "hereof" or words of like import referring to
the Credit Agreement, and each reference in the other Credit Documents to "the
Credit Agreement", "thereunder", "thereof" or words of like import referring to
the Credit Agreement, shall mean and be a reference to the Credit Agreement as
modified hereby. The execution, delivery and effectiveness of this Amendment,
shall not, except as expressly provided herein, operate as a waiver of any
right, power or remedy of any Bank or the Agent under any of the Credit
Documents, nor constitute a waiver or amendment of any provisions of any of the
Credit Documents. Except as expressly modified herein, all of the provisions
and covenants of the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents are and
shall continue to remain in full force and effect in accordance with the terms
thereof and are hereby in all respects ratified and confirmed.

         13. Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed by one or more of the
parties to this Agreement on any number of separate counterparts (including by
facsimile transmission), and all of said counterparts taken together shall be
deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.

<PAGE>

                                                                              5

         14. GOVERNING LAW. THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED
AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to
be executed and delivered by their proper and duly authorized officers as of
the day and year first above written.


                               CONSOLIDATED CIGAR CORPORATION


                               By: /s/ Gary R. Ellis
                                  ---------------------------------------------
                                  Name:  Gary R. Ellis
                                  Title: Senior Vice-President, Chief Financial
                                         Officer, Secretary & Treasurer

                               CONGAR NEWCO INC.


                               By: /s/ Gary R. Ellis
                                  ---------------------------------------------
                                  Name:  Gary R. Ellis
                                  Title: Senior Vice-President, Finance
                                         Treasurer & Finance
                               
                               THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as Agent
                               and as a Bank
                               
                               
                               By: /s/ Neil R. Boylan
                                  ---------------------------------------------
                                  Name:  Neil R. Boylan
                                  Title: Vice-President
                               
                               THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BOSTON
                               
                               
                               By: /s/ Andrew A Doherty
                                  ---------------------------------------------
                                  Name:  Andrew A Doherty
                                  Title: Vice-President
                               
                               GIROCREDIT BANK
                               
                               
                               By: /s/ Anca Trifan
                                  ---------------------------------------------
                                  Name:  Anca Trifan
                                  Title: Vice-President
                               
<PAGE>

                                                                              6


                               NATIONSBANK, N.A.
                               
                               
                               By: /s/ Lynn Callicolt
                                  ---------------------------------------------
                                  Name:  Lynn Callicolt
                                  Title: Vice-President
                               
                               BANCO SANTANDER PUERTO RICO
                               
                               
                               By: /s/ Hector Vina
                                  ---------------------------------------------
                                  Name:  Hector Vina
                                  Title: Senior Vice-President





<PAGE>
                                                                  EXHIBIT 21.1 

                             LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        STATE OF 
NAME OF SUBSIDIARY                                   INCORPORATION 
<S>                                              <C>
Consolidated Cigar Corporation                         Delaware 
Congar International Corporation                       Delaware 
Cuban Cigar Brands, NV                           Netherlands-Antilles 
Jamaica Tobacco Manufacturing Company 
 (1995) Ltd.                                           Jamaica 
Tabacalera de Garcia, Ltd.                             Bermuda 
Tabacos San Andres S.A. de C.V.                        Honduras 
Triple C Marketing Inc.                                Delaware 
</TABLE>








<PAGE>
   
                                                                 EXHIBIT 23.1 

             CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS 

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" and to 
the use of our reports dated January 28, 1997, in Amendment No. 1 to the 
Registration Statement (Form S-1 No. 333-20743) and related Prospectus of 
Consolidated Cigar Holdings Inc. for the registration of 5,750,000 shares of 
its Class A common stock. 

                                          Ernst & Young LLP 

Miami, Florida 
February 28, 1997 
    






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