Chad Johnson -- FIRING UP CUBAN CIGARS ... Even If They're Not Exactly Legal Yet

Chad Johnson isn't waiting for the smoke to clear on the changing foreign policy with Cuba ... he's already got his hands on some authentic Cubans ... and he ain't afraid to puff away in public.

Of course, the cigar community is pumped about President Obama's decision to end the embargo with Cuba -- but according to U.S. officials, authentic Cuban cigars are still off limits to most Americans.

But Johnson isn't wasting any time ... and recently fired up a Monte Cristo #2.

And on Xmas morning, the former NFL star showed off a brand new box of "Hoyo de Monterrey" cigars ... fresh from Havana.

It's just a matter of time before Cubans are 100% legal in the States ... but when it comes to the risk, clearly Chad shares Sharon Stone's mentality from "Basic Instinct:"

"What are ya gonna do ... charge me with smoking?"