Stogie Guys Friday Sampler No. 266
2 Dec 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) Anti-tobacco politicians and groups in Indiana have been trying to pass a comprehensive statewide smoking ban since 2007. Now, months before Indianapolis hosts Super Bowl XLVI, they may be closer than ever. Indiana Senate President Pro Tem David Long said a statewide ban can pass in this legislative session if advocates concede a few exemptions. But the IPCPR remains strongly opposed. “Our position hasn’t changed: Business owners have the right to decide the smoking policies of their own establishments,†said Bill Spann, CEO of the IPCPR. “When the government tells them what to do, it is going too far. Legislated smoking bans are a product of the ‘Nanny State’ and put businesses at risk, jobs in jeopardy, hurt local economies, and leave consumers with no choices.â€
2) FDA oversight of cigars is on its way, as this article from the Daily Caller makes clear. In it, an FDA spokesman admits that cigars would be subject to “general controls, such as registration, product listing, ingredient listing, good manufacturing practice requirements, user fees for certain products, and the adulteration and misbranding provisions, as well as to the premarket review requirements for ‘new tobacco products’ and ‘modified risk tobacco products.'” Such regulation would be devastating to the handmade cigar industry.
3) Inside the Industry: Litto Gomez has announced a new limited edition cigar for La Flor Dominicana called Colorado Oscuro. The two new blends from El Tiante (Habano Rosado and Habano Oscuro) are making their Boston and Providence debuts at Cigar Masters on December 14 and December 15, respectively. Altadis is launching the Vega Fina Seijas 2011 Limited Edition, which features a San Andreas criollo wrapper. Ashton’s La Aroma de Cuba is adding a Corona and a Double Corona to its lineup.
4) Around the Blogs: Smoking Stogie smokes a Cohiba Siglo VI. Stogie Fresh lights up a Macanudo Cru Royale. Stogie Review reviews a Fuente Untold Story Maduro. Cigar Explorer checks out the Illusione Epernay Le Taureau. Cigar Fan fires up a La Gloria Artesanos Retro.
5) Deal of the Week: Just $40 gets you 12 premium smokes in this weekly special. Included are five Rocky Patel Olde World Reserves, five Gurkha Raider Toro Habanos, plus one Indian Tabac Super Fuerte and one K. Hansotia Limited Edition.
photo credit: Flickr
Patrick Ashby
Co-Founder & Editor in Chief
Patrick Semmens
Co-Founder & Publisher
George Edmonson
Tampa Bureau Chief
Regarding item No. 2, there's no better time than now to get in touch with your U.S. representative if he or she hasn't signed on to cosponsor HR1639 to exempt premium cigars from FDA oversight, as 127 members of both parties and all political stripes have already done. Check here (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/D?d112:1:./temp/~bdCh6Q:@@@N|/home/LegislativeData.php|) to see if yours is on the list. If not, call, e-mail or write urging support. There's considerable momentum and we need to keep the pressure on. You can find lots of suggestions and info in past Stogie Guys postings.