49

This article deals with the relationships between luxury goods and innovations within the framework of a Socialist country. An original example is taken with Habanos, the Cuban luxury cigars. First, main trends of the tobacco sector in general are analyzed, and then those of luxury tobacco in particular, in the case of Cuba. In a second part, the emphasis is put on the coexistence of traditional methods and the different forms of innovation characterizing this specific sector. These innovations can be scientific and technological ones, or linked to production processes or to products.JEL Codes: O13, O31, P32, Q16