Stogie Guys Friday Sampler CLXIV

As we have since July 2006, each Friday we’ll post a mixed bag of quick cigar news and other items of interest. We call ‘em Friday Samplers. Enjoy.

1) As North Carolina bars and restaurants brace for a statewide smoking ban in 2010, some Charlotte officials plan to go a step further: They aim to criminalize lighting up on sidewalks around a city community college. The move, according to one anti-tobacco extremist, would “propel the city into the forefront of antismoking efforts around the country” and establish a precedent for sidewalk bans in other cities.

2) Universal Studios’ “Land of the Lost,” a box office flop, is under fire for scenes of Will Ferrell holding a pipe. An arm of the American Medical Association claims the movie’s portrayal of smoking ranks worst among all of last summer’s flicks.

3) Inside the Industry: At a recent event, Don Pepin Garcia’s daughter, Jenny, reportedly told one attendee that next year he will put out a limited release cigar, and that all 20,000 will be personally rolled by Garcia. If the latest figures from tobacco giant Altria are any indication, the increase in federal taxes appears to keep boosting sales of “drug store” cigars—which rose 5% to 333 million in the third quarter.

4) Around the Blogs: A Cigar Smoker lights up the Nestor Miranda Ruky. Nice Tight Ash smokes the Declaration Iniquity by Jameson. Cigar Inspector fires up a Bolivar Belicoso Finos. Stogie Review reviews the Los Blancos Nine.

5) Deal of the Week: Last week we featured a great Halloween special, and this week we’re pleased to tell you about a full-bodied sampler that’s such a great bargain it’s scary. For just $30 you get two each of the Gurkha Park Avenue, Man O’ War, Padilla Habano,  and Rocky Patel Fusion. Get yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr