Stogie Guys Friday Sampler CXCVI

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) Wisconsin becomes the 28th state to enact a smoking ban starting on Monday. Passed over a year ago, the law criminalizes smoking in workplaces throughout the Badger State, including  bars and restaurants. But the new regulation is anything but clear-cut. Politicians in Madison worded the bill so poorly that questions still remain over enforcement and exemptions—a nightmare scenario for business owners who are uncertain about their options.

2) Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell’s proposal for a 30% tax on cigars was voted down on Tuesday. A disproportionate number of online cigar wholesalers call Pennsylvania home, including Famous Smoke Shop, Holt’s, and Cigar’s International—a company that threatened to move if the tax passed. This isn’t a coincidence. Along with Florida, the Keystone State is the only one without a cigar tax. Cigar Rights of America attributed the victory to CRA members who contacted lawmakers.

3) Inside the Industry: In our talks last week with Tatuaje creator Pete Johnson, he revealed two interesting nuggets: (1) the Vintage line will be arriving at retailers in the next few weeks and (2) he’s working on a new project called “Fausto” named after an old Cuban brand that took the name from a famous literary character.

4) Around the Blogs: Smoking Stogie smokes a Punch Diademas Extra. Keepers of the Flame fires up a Reyes Family Vintage. Stogie Fresh lights up the Quesada Tributo. Stogie Review reviews the Zino Platinum Crown Series 2010. Cigar Inspector inspects a Fuente Hemingway Work of Art. Nice Tight Ash checks out the La Flor Dominicana Limitado IV.

5) Deal of the Week: Sunday is July 4th, which means an Independence Day Sale is going on at Cuban Crafters. There are plenty of discounts, but our favorite deal is a box of the Cubano Claro Lonsdales for just $70. Grab yours here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr