Stogie Guys Friday Sampler CXXV
23 Jan 2009
[BREAKING NEWS: According to Cigar Rights of America, the SCHIP tax increase will be higher than originally reported. Read the press release here for details.]
In our ongoing effort to make StogieGuys.com as entertaining and informative as possible, each Friday we’ll post a mixed bag of quick cigar news and other items of interest. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.
1) For better or worse, Tuesday marked a new era as Obama was sworn in as America’s 44th president. Not a brother of the leaf himself (though he occaisonally smokes cigarettes), he occupies a position once held by many cigar enthusiasts. According to this list, 18 former U.S. presidents have routinely enjoyed cigars, from Adams and Madison to JFK and (cough) Clinton.
2) Some policymakers in Denver are moving to ease Colorado’s smoking ban. Responding to pleas from bar and casino owners who cite “massive losses of business since the ban was enacted,†the new measure would expand ban exemptions and remove a stipulation that prevents the opening of new cigar bars.
3) Inside the Industry: To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Miami Cigar and Company—distributor of brands such as La Aurora, 601, Don Lino, and Cubao—is planning an eight-month tour of in-store events. CAO will expand the distribution of the LX2 Lancero in March.
4) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews a CI Legends Orange. Keepers of the Flame lights up an Alec Bradley Tempus Genesis. Stogie Info smokes an Illusione 88. Cigar Inspector checks out a Partagas Shorts.
5) Deal of the Week: This “Stellar Toro Sampler” features ten top toros for $39.99 (free shipping on the entire order). Included are cigars by Don Pepin Garcia, Perdomo, Rocky Patel, Partagas, Gran Habano, Toraño, and La Aroma de Cuba. Grab yours here.
photo credit: Flickr
Patrick Ashby
Co-Founder & Editor in Chief
Patrick Semmens
Co-Founder & Publisher
George Edmonson
Tampa Bureau Chief
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<div><span><span>SCHIP And Cigar Taxes – UPDATE! </span></span></div></td>
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BREAKING NEWS
The State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) legislative bill has been passed the U.S. Senate Finance Committee.
Although this was not unanticipated, there is a slight modification to pay for a $300 million dental insurance program.
The excise tax on "large" cigars will now be 52.75% (previously reported at 52.4%) with a maximum tax cap of 40.26 cents per cigar (previously reported at 40 cents).
Additionally, "little" cigars will go up to $1.066 per pack, or $50.33 per 1,000 without any phase-in period as provided for in the version adopted by the House of Representatives.
The effective date remains April 1, 2009.
Many members of Congress are upset by the modification to the original bill. Sen. Orrin Hatch published a statement in strong opposition to the current language of the bill.
"The original 1997 legislation achieved a fine balance between providing health care coverage for children of the working poor and balancing the federal budget," Hatch said.
"Unfortunately the original intent that has worked so well for more than ten years is lost in the partisan amendments found in the current version."
<img src="http://www.cigarrights.org/images/layout/icon_pdf.gif" alt="" width="16" height="16" /> Click Here to view the actual bill (PDF)</div></td>
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<div><span><span> Contact Your Senator </span></span></div></td>
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<span> As Congress continues to modify the original 1997 bill, we urge you to contact your Senator to express your opposition and concerns about the proposed tax increases on cigars.</span>
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<td width="80%" valign="middle">Locate your Senator </td>
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<span>After locating your Senator, please…
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<div>Send him/her an email </div></td>
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<div>Call him/her by phone </div></td>
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<p align="center"><span> </span><img src="http://www.cigarrights.org/images/taxes.jpg" border="1" alt="" width="170" height="187" />
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<p align="left"><span><span><span style="color: #00346b;">
</span></span></span><span><span style="color: #00346b;">CRA Commends The Members of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee Who Voted "NO" on the SCHIP Bill!</span></span>
Please take a minute to write a 'Thank You' letter to the following members of the U.S. Finance Committee who voted "NO" on the SCHIP bill…
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<p align="left"><span>CHUCK GRASSLEY, IA </span>
<p align="left">ORRIN G. HATCH, UT
<p align="left">JON KYL, AZ
<p align="left">JIM BUNNING, KY
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<p align="left">MIKE CRAPO, ID
<p align="left">PAT ROBERTS, KS
<p align="left">MIKE ENZI, WY
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<p align="center"><img src="http://www.cigarrights.org/images/logo/CRA08small208.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="208" height="152" />
<span>Join CRA Today!</span>
Great shot of JFK smoking what I would assume is a fine habano. Legend has it that his Administration went to great lengths to ensure privacy (i.e. absence of press/photographers) during Kennedy’s many smoke breaks. I am familiar with the shots of Jack smoking while on his sailboat, but I have never seen this one before. I would imagine that he is smoking his favorite Petit Upmann judging by the rather small ring guage of the stick present in this picture. Wonder what that bandage is all about though?
From the Flickr photo page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnmcnab/3087101695/
“President Kennedy smoking a cigar during White House conference. His bandage covers a cut he received when he banged his head on a table picking up a toy for daughter Caroline.”
Thanks for adding a link to my review! I love these Friday samplers!