Stogie Guys Friday Sampler CCVII
17 Sep 2010
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) New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is banning smoking in “huge swaths of government-controlled outdoor spaces,†including Times Square. “We have to do something about this, because even out in the open air secondhand smoke can be dangerous,†Bloomberg told Fox News. The move follows a dangerous trend of smoking bans extending beyond indoor locales to outdoor settings, private cars, and even private homes (see below).
2) Smoking Ban Alerts: Tacoma officials are mulling a proposal that would criminalize smoking in apartment buildings. Ithica politicians are hoping to extend a city law that already bans outdoor smoking in parks, bus shelters, and natural areas. Menlo Park is one step closer to new regulations that would outlaw smoking in multi-unit residential buildings and restaurant patios.
3) Charles Mysak, a cigar-smoking book vendor on the streets of New York, offered some excellent advice to his fellow lovers of the leaf. Dismissing a question about the health impact of his cigars, Mysak told the New York Times: “Ignorance and indolence is the primary problem. If you take care of the mind, everything else follows.†Read the rest of his story here.
4) Inside the Industry: The new La Aurora 107 Lancero, which can be ordered by retailers on Twitter, is hitting shelves at select technology-friendly cigar shops. A very limited Opus X BBMF is now available as part of special humidor with proceeds going to the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation.
5) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews the Viaje Fifty Fifty Red Label. Cigar Inspector inspects the Cohiba Behike 52. Tiki Bar kicks back with an E.P. Carrillo Core Blend. Nice Tight Ash checks out a Viaje Satori. A Cigar Smoker smokes a My Father Limited Edition 2010.
6) Deal of the Week: Well worth a look is this Don Pepin Elite Selection sampler, featuring some of the legendary cigar maker’s finest smokes. Included are two each of the Tatuaje Havana, 5 Vegas Miami, Cuban Classic, and San Cristobal—all for under $40. Grab yours here.
photo credit: Flickr
Patrick Ashby
Co-Founder & Editor in Chief
Patrick Semmens
Co-Founder & Publisher
George Edmonson
Tampa Bureau Chief
Back when this expansion of NYC's ban was first discussed a few months ago, Bloomberg was not ready to endorse it, saying something about how he wasn't sure smokers were harming anyone but themselves outside.
Apparently, his health commisioner got him to change his mind.
Is the CRA or the IPCPR involved at the local government level to force these issues to be debated in council meetings and in public? Do we have adequate representation as cigar enthusiasts that faulty scientific research is not continuously used to push draconian laws which not only impede on our freedoms but add needless administrative costs to government budgets which are already stretched to breaking levels? Do we want our fine law enforcement agencies wasting their time enforcing these instead of going after real crime? When will we arrive at the brink and realize that we went too far? Perhaps what is needed is an outright prohibition on tobacco in this country so that we can digest it and then puke it back out and repeal it and come to our senses like we did for alcohol. Why is America a country of extremes? Why do have to go from complete tobacco acceptance in the 40s and 50s to now complete tobacco hatred? Why can't we find the middle? Why is my comment so long? Because I'm pissed off that lazy politicians wanting to score easy political points for their re-election are trampling on basic freedoms…freedom of choice.