Stogie Guys Friday Sampler CCXXV
11 Feb 2011
As we have since July 2006, each Friday we’ll post a mixed bag of quick cigar news and other items of interest. Below is our latest Friday Sampler.
1) One week after politicians in New York voted to criminalize smoking in the city’s parks, beaches, and other outdoor areas, two Boston city councilors are proposing a similar law for their city. “Mayor Thomas M. Menino [pictured], a strong supporter of smoking bans in bars and restaurants and of the elimination of cigarette sales in pharmacies, has not taken a public position on the councilors’ proposal,†reports the Boston Globe. “In an interview, the mayor’s top health aide, Barbara Ferrer, was noncommittal about the possible restriction but said she and the mayor are ‘excited to hear more.’â€
2) Whoopie Goldberg’s one celebrity who isn’t pleased with New York City’s new outdoor smoking ban. “I’m tired of being treated like some damn criminal,” the actress said on The View, where she’s a regular. According to an article in the Toronto Sun, Goldberg noted that smokers deserve some respect: “You can’t keep treating people like they don’t matter.”
3) The fourth annual ProCigar Festival took place this week in Santiago. The event is the Dominican Republic’s version of Cuba’s Festival del Habano (which kicks off later this month) with factory tours, golf, educational seminars, cuisine, and plenty of cigars. This year’s sponsors included Davidoff, Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, La Aurora, El Credito, and many others.
4) Inside the Industry: Fonseca announced it’s 120th Anniversary cigar, a one-size line made with Dominican wrapper and binder tobaccos with a mix of Dominican and Nicaraguan filler. Habanos S.A. has announced the appointment of Jorge Luis Fernandez Maique to the position of co-president.
5) Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor. Smoking Stogie smokes the Graycliff Espresso Elegante. Your Cigar Ratings features the 601 Blue Robusto. Cigar Inspector inspects a Monte Pascoal. A Cigar Smoker checks out La Aurora Gran 107.
6) Deal of the Week: This Hurricane Sampler includes 12 cigars for just $40. Included are sought-after cigars from Diesel, Man O’ War, Gurkha, and Padilla.
photo credit: Flickr
Patrick Ashby
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Patrick Semmens
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George Edmonson
Tampa Bureau Chief
Where is the pressure for these smoking bans coming from? It's difficult to believe that politicians have much personal interest in the issue, so is it that these anti-smoking groups are that loud and effective or is there some sort of financial benefit to the bans?
@Dave: Actually, if you read the Boston Globe article, you'll notice that there was "personal interest" at play in this case:
"Councilors Felix G. Arroyo and Salvatore LaMattina, both asthma sufferers who are especially sensitive to secondhand smoke, took the first step toward a ban yesterday by filing an order for a public hearing on their measure…"
What a bunch of pussies.
Mayor Tom Menino is a borderline idiot. Seriously. Being from Boston I can say, if you've ever heard him speak, the guy's tongue is too big for his head.