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Stogie Guys Friday Sampler No. 306

28 Sep 2012

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) Writing and passing a law is one thing, enforcing it is quite another. This concept is illustrated by the outdoor smoking ban that was passed in New York City. Effectively making the Big Apple the most inhospitable major city in the country for cigar enthusiasts, officials in 2011 criminalized smoking in parks, beaches, boardwalks, marinas, and plazas—and promised petty fines for violators. Over a year later, though, “officials expect New Yorkers themselves to enforce the ban by asking smokers to stop, telling a parks worker, or calling a complaint line about those who don’t,” according to the Wall Street Journal. “The state Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation has kept signs up at beaches and other areas where it says smoking is prohibited. Spokesman Dan Keefe said Wednesday the office isn’t currently issuing tickets for violations.”

2) Cigar Rights of America sent around a newsletter this week praising the International Women’s Cigar Society (IWCS) for making a financial contribution to advance the cause of cigar freedom. “The IWCS is an amazing collection of dedicated shop owners, professional tobacconists, manufacturers, cigar sales staff, and passionate consumers who are dedicated to advancing this commitment for great cigars with the ladies,” reads the newsletter.

3) Inside the Industry: Viaje’s latest three limited release cigars—5th Anniversary, Honey and Hand Grenades, and Satori 2012—landed in stores this week. Global Premium Cigars, maker of 1502 Cigars manufactured in Estelí, will be distributed by the Emilio Cigars sales team.

4) Around the Blogs: Cigar Fan fires up a Toraño Loyal. Cigar Brief smokes the Esteban Carreras Covenant. Stogie Review reviews the My Father Flor de Las Antillas. Cigar Inspector inspects a Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur.

5) Deal of the Week: In case you haven’t checked it out yet, here’s a deal created just for Stogie Guys readers. The “Stogie Guys Cigar Sampler”—offered by longtime supporter Corona Cigar—contains seven cigars for $29.95 (plus free shipping on your entire order). It includes limited edition cigars from Avo and Davidoff, plus cigars from by Rocky Patel, J.C. Newman, Casa Fernandez, and two Corona “house” blends. Pick yours up here.

–The Stogie Guys

photo credit: Flickr

5 Responses to “Stogie Guys Friday Sampler No. 306”

  1. Patrick A Friday, September 28, 2012 at 8:20 am #

    This just in: The IPCPR reports that, starting November 1, Michigan will become the seventh state to institute a cigar tax cap, capping taxes at 50 cents per cigar.

  2. Mike Friday, September 28, 2012 at 10:29 am #

    Yea to my home state. I knew the bill easily passed the state Senate a couple months ago but didn't know when the House would take it up.

    Question for anybody who lives in a state with a 50-cent cap: Did you see a noticeable drop in cigar prices at your local store, and how long did it take to show up? I imagine retailers aren't likely to reduce prices on current stock since they aren't getting a rebate on taxes already paid.

  3. Ashburn Dave Friday, September 28, 2012 at 11:01 am #

    I love the idea of the Stogie Guys sampler, but this one doesn't seem to have much in common with the site. I would expect it to contain at least one or two 4+ stogie rated cigars.

  4. George E. Friday, September 28, 2012 at 1:28 pm #

    While I've been able to find lots of stories about the Michigan bill and the language itself, I haven't found a story an explanation of exactly what the tax cap applies to. The bill's language sounds like it applies to all cigars, but without seeing a definition for cigar it's not possible to know. Can anyone enlighten me?
    For Mike, the language appears to have the bill go into effect Nov. 1 so don't look for anything to change at least until then. Since it puts a 50-cent cap on a rate that's 32% of the wholesale price, the retail shelf prices should drop noticeably. For instance, a $3 wholesale cigar would have 96 cents in tax, meaning the keystoned shelf price would be 7.92, probably rounded to $8. But with the cap, the same process would yield a retail price of $7.

    • Mike Monday, October 1, 2012 at 10:02 am #

      I believe it does apply to all cigars, regardless of size, although obviously large cigars are the ones afffected. Michigan currently does not tax small cigars or OTP at different rates.

      From the state Senate fiscal agecny report on the bill:

      This legislation introduced to cap the tax on all of the cigars that cost more than $1.56 each (now taxed at 32 percent of their wholesale price which results in the maximum 50-cent tax).

      It says the 32% tax remains in effect until 50-cent per stick threshold is hit. It should also be noted that the cap, unless renewed, is set to expire Oct. 1, 2016.

      I will be curious to see how much of this lower tax shows up on the shelf.