Stogie Guys Friday Sampler No. 253

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) Politicians in Michigan passed a statewide smoking ban that took effect in May 2010. But now about 500 restaurant and bar owners, organized as Protect Private Property Rights in Michigan, are firing back. They plan to ban state lawmakers from their premises starting September 1. “To highlight what they consider the hypocrisy of Michigan’s smoking ban—which exempts gambling floors of Detroit casinos—business owners said the lawmaker ban also would have exemptions. It would not cover the Republican or Democratic leaders in the House or Senate,” reports the Detroit Free Press. “Ari Adler, a spokesman for House Republican Speaker Jase Bolger, said the lawmaker ban is an interesting tactic but not likely to spark legal change.”

2) The Room 101 “CigarMageddon Tour” kicks off today, a trip that includes 60 in-store events across the country between now and March. Each stop will feature Room 101 swag and cigars like the Connecticut, Conjura, and Namakubi Edition. Today’s event will be held at Cigar Cigars in Rocky River, Ohio, between 4 and 8pm.

3) Inside the Industry: Hurricane Irene could be double trouble for the cigar industry. The storm passed over the Dominican Republic earlier this week, and while we haven’t heard any specific damage (though we’ve made inquiries) it’s hard to imagine that 20 inches of rain and 80 MPH winds left the tobacco farms there completely unharmed. The second blow could be to the Connecticut crop. The hurricane looks likely to make a direct hit on Connecticut just as crops are being harvested. Reports are that farmers are rushing to get crops out of the ground and into barns before the storm is due to hit this weekend.

4) Around the Blogs: Cigar Fan lights up an Alec Bradley Family Blend. Stogie Fresh checks out El Original Corona. Smoking Stogie smokes the Casa Miranda. Stogie Review reviews a Winston Churchill Lancaster.

5) Deal of the Week: Cuban Crafters is featuring deep discounts on cigars we’ve rated well. Snag a box of 25 La Carolinas for just $45 or a box of 25 Cabinet Cameroons for just $65.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr