CWNews

September 30, 2008 Altadis Playboy Debuts in China

"We make them and licensed the Playboy brand name," said Eric Piras of Altadis Cigars. The brand's fitting double-entendre slogan is: "You never forget your first." (Add your own Bill Clinton joke here.) Read more...
September 30, 2008 Latvian Excise Tax to Grow

Excise tax on the so-called other smoking tobacco products -- tobacco, which is not cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, and finely cut smoking tobacco -- will grow by 64 percent. Thus, from February 1, 2009, excise tax on other smoking tobacco will rise from 14 lats to 23 lats per 1,000 grams and the tax rate will be leveraged with excise tax rate on finely cut tobacco. Read more...
September 29, 2008 Havana Club Set to Open in Vegas

A company press releases details the opening of what the founders bill the venue to "raise the bar." Read more...
September 29, 2008 Underwriting Smokers-The Killer Weed

Contrary to the common misconception, cigarettes are not the only tobacco product that can contribute to the risk of cancer. Other harmful forms of tobacco consumption include cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco and snuff. The smoking of cigarettes is the most predominant cause of cancer at all ages, while cigar and pipe smokers generally have a lower mortality rate. It is also important to consider the increased risk of oral cancer with users of smokeless tobacco such as chewing tobacco. Read more...
September 26, 2008 Buy Imperial Stock.

Financial advisor can't resist his editorial comments on smoking while advising people to continue to buy Imperial Stock. Read more...
September 26, 2008 Cigar company will need capital infusion after storms in Cuba

Corporacion Habanos S.A., a joint venture between the Cuban government and Imperial Tobacco Group PLC's Altadis subsidiary, said that it will have no problems supplying its famous cigars in 2009 although it will need an "important financial injection." "At least for next year" the company should not have "great difficulties in the supply of cigars," despite the damage to more than 5,000 tobacco curing structures in Pinar del Rio done by two hurricanes this month, the company's vice president for marketing, Manuel Garcia, said. Read more...
September 26, 2008 HEARD IN THE HUMIDOR September 26, 2008

Highlights of the week in cigars and smoking from For the week of September 29-October 3, 2008 Read more...
September 26, 2008 NM Man Fights Ban Exemptions

A New Mexico cigarette smoker is challenging the state ban's cigar-bar and other exemptions by having his wife call deputies to have him cited for smoking in a regular bar. Read more...
September 26, 2008 Smoking ban based on unsubstantiated data

The 2006 Surgeon General's report, which clearly concludes that second-hand smoke should not be considered a legitimate health or environmental hazard. The report states no less than 108 times on its 707 pages that the evidence is inconclusive regarding the health aspects of second-hand smoke. Even the Occupational Safety and Health Administration doesn't regard second-hand smoke an environment hazard. Nonetheless, biased media reports, slanted statements by anti-tobacco groups and even deliberately erroneous press releases from the Surgeon General's office contradict the actual findings of the report. Read more...
September 25, 2008 Ban Coming in India

With a nationwide ban in the offing in India, bar owners and restaurateurs express some concern just as their American counterparts to. Read more...
September 25, 2008 J. C. Newman Featured in Tampa Tribune

WFLA Tampa's Jack Harris visits J. C. Newman and gets primer on Ybor cigar operations. Read more...
September 23, 2008 CAO Rock and Rolled Tour

In a company press release, CAO Cigars of Nashville, Tennessee announce their Rock and Rolled Tour featuring Director of Lifestyles Marketing Jon Huber. Read more...
September 23, 2008 Detroit State Rep Decries Ban

BERT JOHNSON represents Detroit's 5th district in the Michigan House of Representatives. He also chairs the House Detroit Delegation. Write to him in care of the Free Press Editorial Page, 615 W. Lafayette, Detroit, MI 48226 or at oped@freepress.com. For the third time, the Michigan House of Representatives is being asked to vote on this legislation, which would ban smoking in all public facilities.If a ban is enacted and results in a 20%-25% loss for Detroit's casinos, we eliminate the projected 2,500 new jobs and threaten jobs already established. Greektown has said if it realizes similar losses, it would be forced to close.The entertainment industry is one that we have incentivized to come to Michigan to diversify a declining manufacturing industry. If passed with no exemptions, legislators would hurt the industry that we are attempting to grow as major employers and taxpayers in our state. Read more...
September 23, 2008 RAI Gains Notice Among Peers

Companies are selected based on an extensive evaluation of many criteria including corporate governance, stakeholder relations, human resources development, knowledge management, energy consumption and climate change strategies. Read more...
September 22, 2008 Aussie Distributor Cited For Mislabelling

Refunds or replacement of tobacco products will be offered to retailers as part of a court-enforceable undertaking offered by Raktos Distribution Services Pty Limited and its directors and accepted by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. Read more...
September 20, 2008 Ottawa Paper on Tampa and Ybor City

Heat-seeking Canadians looking for an escape from winter's wrath tend to form opposing camps when it comes time to praise Florida's beaches. There are those who swear beaches on the east coast are superior, while west coast supporters claim the Gulf Coast shores rule.The Tampa neighbourhood that offers the most incentives to stay and play is Ybor (pronounced Ee-bore) City. It's not really a city, but an area aptly dubbed Tampa Bay's Latin Quarter. It was named after Don Vicente Martinez Ybor, a Cuban exile who opened the first cigar factory in the area. Nearly 12,000 people worked in more than 200 factories, leading Ybor City to proclaim that it was the cigar capital of the world. Read more...
September 19, 2008 BU Paper On Hub Ban

Cigar and hookah aficionados may soon have to confine their puffs to private residences if a stringent tobacco ruling targeting cigar and hookah lounges becomes law. Churchill's Lounge currently hosts meetings for the Boston University Cigar Aficionado Club and the Nile Lounge also counts a large number of BU students as customers. Macdonald said smoking establishments in Boston are planning to get together to discuss the ruling before it reaches a public hearing on Oct. Read more...
September 19, 2008 Last Oktoberfest for Smoking

There are few places left in Europe where you can still enjoy a cigarette and a tipple but the huge beer tents of the 175th annual Oktoberfest starting in Munich Saturday are one of them. But this is the last time. When the first barrel of beer is ceremoniously cracked open in the Bavarian capital next year, the ashtrays will have gone and nicotine lovers will have to nip outside. Read more...
September 19, 2008 WVU Study IDs Teen Smokers

West Virginia University research shows teens who volunteer for programs to quit smoking are more addicted than other young smokers. Read more...
September 18, 2008 Cigar Sites Using Ad-Bots on Facebook

Technology gives advertisers the ability to monitor our actions and personal profiles to help them better target consumers. But what privacy issues should companies have to abide by, and when does the invasion of privacy become insulting? When obtuse ads don't pertain to interests or previous searches, it's easy to feel like companies have invaded your privacy. "It's kind of disconcerting to know that there's people that can follow your path on the Internet." Gabrenya said. "What if there is a Web site you didn't want people to know you went to, and they do. You're not aware they're obtaining that information." Read more...
September 18, 2008 Habanos S. A. : Travel Retail Selection Pack

Once again, Habanos s.a. gives consumers another chance to get the latest exclusivity for the Duty Free and Travel Retail channel. It’s an excellent tailored-made product that will surely become a special gift for frequent flyers. Read more...
September 18, 2008 Havana Club Rum to Enter India Market

Havana Club, the celebrated Cuban rum, is entering the Indian market. Its white rum is being launched by Havana Club International, a 50:50 joint venture between the French alcoholic beverages giant Pernod Ricard and the Cuban government. Read more...
September 18, 2008 Hurricanes devastate Cuba's tobacco industry

BY MIAMI HERALD STAFF SAN JUAN y MARTINEZ, Cuba -- Alejandro González spends his days touting the intricate craft of tobacco growing to tourists here on the western reaches of the island that produces the world's premier cigars. Read more...
September 17, 2008 Altria to Move on Swedish Match?

Swedish Match, the last independent smokeless tobacco group, may attract a bid from a cigarette maker after Altria's bid for UST is set to make the U.S. market more competitive. Read more...
September 17, 2008 Cayman Islands Paper Worries About Ban Breaks

“We are pleased to see the legislation moving forward, despite the fact that it is not as comprehensive as we would have desired,” the statement said. “We hope that our elected officials lead Cayman in the direction of many of the world’s nations and pass the proposed Bill into law without further delay. It is time for Cayman to have such legislation in place.” Read more...
September 17, 2008 Cigar shop giving 10,000 gallons of gas

New England paper reports that Two Guys Smoke Shops are giving away gas cards with purchases. Read more...
September 17, 2008 Exeter NH, Retro Club Features Smoking Lounge

Club Ioka (55 Water St., 603-778-4652, www.iokaentertain ment.com), inside the Ioka Theatre building, is a modern reproduction of a 1920s Art Deco nightclub. The club has a bar, a dance floor, and a smoking lounge, where cigars and cigarettes are sold. Bands play and DJs spin here on weekends. The Epoch Bar (90 Front St., 603-778-3762), inside the Exeter Inn, tends to stay open a bit later than other places in town. The bar serves nibbles from shrimp quesadillas and oyster shooters to Kobe beef sliders until closing. Pimentos (see Fuel) has a marble-topped bar in its downstairs lounge, which serves martinis and other drinks. But in general, Exeter tends to close down early. Read more...
September 17, 2008 Tories Vow to Further Suppress

WELLAND, Ont. - Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Wednesday he would move to further clamp down on marketing of tobacco products to children. Read more...
September 16, 2008 Cuba says Gustav, Ike did $5 billion damage

HAVANA: Gustav and Ike together delivered the worst hurricane-related blow in Cuba's storm-battered history, causing US$5 billion in damages, the communist government said Monday night. Read more...
September 16, 2008 First the winds of Gustav, now the floodwaters of Ike

FROM up above, chaos seems to reign in Pinar del Río province. It is enough to go up a number of meters — this time 300 — in a Revolutionary Air Force helicopter to grasp the magnitude of the disaster. In addition to the destruction wreaked by Hurricane Gustav’s furious winds, there is now the devastation of Ike’s floodwaters inundating towns and fields. Two hurricanes that have disrupted the lives and surroundings of the people of Pinar del Río. Read more...
September 15, 2008 Agio Updates Panter

Agio updates Panter brand for 2008, according to Moodie Reports. Read more...
September 15, 2008 Bartow CRA Likes County Offer on Cigar Factory

Bartow City Commission to Get Proposal Tonight, they may be some resolution on the issue finally. Read more...
September 15, 2008 CF Charitable Fund Updates

Here's what the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation has been doing over the Summer. Read more...
September 15, 2008 Cripple Creek Casino Pleads Case.

Another Cripple Creek, Colorado Casino is pleading its case to allow smoking, contending that there is a cigar shop and outlet that logs enough sales to be within the mandates of the ban law. Read more...
September 15, 2008 HEARD IN THE HUMIDOR

Highlights of the week in cigars and smoking from For the week of September 15-19, 2008 Read more...
September 15, 2008 Smokers Fave Golfer on Cup Team

Miguel Angel Jimenez, the cigar smokers' favorite golfer, has been included in Europe's Ryder Cup Team. Read more...
September 15, 2008 Witchita Shop Becomes Diamond Crown Lounge

The first Diamond Crown Lounge in Kansas to open at Cigar Chateau, Witchita. Read more...
September 14, 2008 Monthly Cigar Event in La Habana

Balcón del Habano, held in Havana's Hotel Presidente, is an excellent option for cigar aficionados. Read more...
September 12, 2008 Liebherr ZKes 453 Humidor

Liebherr presents their newest small cabinet humidor, having all the newest, sensitive controls and a clean contemporary look. Read more...
September 11, 2008 Allow Smoking in KC Shops

Kansas City Tobacconists urge council to allow smoking in tobacco shops. Read more...
September 11, 2008 Altadis Jose Seijas to make Personal Appearances

Master Blender Jose Seijas of Altadis to make a three stop tour in middle September, 2008. See the entire press release below. Read more...
September 11, 2008 Best in Pensacola

Newcomer Cordova Cigars named Best Cigar Shop in Pensacola. Read more...
September 11, 2008 Cayman Islands Create Ban Exceptions

Cigar bars, outdoor areas of bars and restaurants and hotel bedrooms will all be exempted from smoking prohibitions contained in a revised version of the long awaited Tobacco Bill. Made publicly available Tuesday, the revised bill marks a softening of the stance the Government had taken in a draft of the bill that came before the Legislative Assembly in March 2007. Read more...
September 11, 2008 Charleston Cigar Factory Under Renovation

127-year-old downtown building undergoing conversion to residential, retail space Read more...
September 11, 2008 God of Fire Charity Dinner

Prometheus and Tabacalera A. Fuente join together to host the God of Fire Charity Dinner to raise funds for the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation. Read more...
September 11, 2008 Penn Ban in Effect, Exemptions Requested

With the state's smoking ban set to take effect at midnight, already 700 businesses have applied to be exempted from the law, said Dr. Calvin Johnson, Pennsylvania health secretary. Read more...
September 11, 2008 S.C. Premium Cigar Dealers Cross Primrose Paths of Politicians

ROCK HILL, SC, Sep 11, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- "Well-funded anti-smoking forces are leading York County politicians down the primrose path," says Chris McCalla, legislative director for the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association. "Just as they have done in 10 other counties throughout South Carolina and elsewhere, these groups are spewing misinformation with hopes that it will lead to the continued spread of unconstitutional and unnecessary smoking bans in public places," he said Read more...
September 11, 2008 Smoking on Campus in NY

The American Lung Association details campuses in New York and where smoking is permitted and where banned. Read more...
September 11, 2008 Where to Smoke in Pittsburgh?

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette recognizes some of the city's tobacconists. Read more...
September 10, 2008 Characters Make Brands

Newsweek article reminds readers that objects become brands when that brand is tied to a "character" who is identifiable thereof. Author names Zino Davidoff as embodying this dynamic. Read more...
September 10, 2008 Imperial Tobacco chief doubts health proposals would reduce UK sales

The chief executive of Imperial Tobacco has said that proposals to change the way in which cigarettes, cigars and other tobacco products are sold in Britain would not affect sales of his company's brands, reports The Times (London) Read more...
September 10, 2008 Major Damage in Havana from Ike.

Read more...
September 10, 2008 Reynolds American to Restructure

RAI Announces Restructuring Charges and Workforce Reduction Following Business Analysis; R.J. Reynolds Makes Modification to Portfolio Strategy; Read more...
September 09, 2008 Altria Group buying UST for about $10.3B

After failing to grab much consumer attention for its own smokeless tobacco products, Altria Group said Monday it would buy the maker of Skoal and Copenhagen for about $10.3 billion. Altria's acquisition of Stamford, Conn.-based UST will give it a strong position in smokeless tobacco, a segment of the U.S. market that is growing as cigarettes decline. Altriaowns the Marlboro brand and the nation's biggest cigarette maker, Philip Morris USA. Read more...
September 09, 2008 Bartow FL May Get Cigar Factory

It appears that the Polk County Commission may offer to give to the city of Bartow the historic Thompson Co. cigar factory and $126,500 to be applied toward restoration, but not the large parcel of vacant land west of the building. Read more...
September 09, 2008 Details of Pennsylvania's new smoking ban law

Details of law taking effect Sept. 11 to ban smoking in most public places and workplaces in Pennsylvania: Read more...
September 09, 2008 Historic Charleston Factory Still Landmark

The Cigar Factory was constructed in 1881 as a cotton manufacturing facility and closed after the 1886 earthquake. The building reopened in 1903 when it was leased to the American Cigar Company. The American Cigar Company ceased operation in 1973 and the building was used for office and warehouse space over the next decade. From 1982 until 2006, it housed Johnson and Wales and various offices. In 2007, The Simpson Organization purchased the building. Read more...
September 09, 2008 Hoover AL Enacts Ban with Exceptions

Birmingham suburb, Hoover, home of the SEC Baseball Tournament, bans smoking in most "public" places. Read more...
September 09, 2008 Ike Hits Pinar del Rio

HIGHLIGHT: The U.S. worries about the next hit, and Haiti reels from a foursome. Most tobacco curing barns damaged or destroyed by Gustav, Pinar del Rio takes another big hit. Read more...
September 09, 2008 IPCPR Fights Michigan Legislation

According to Chris McCalla, Michigan legislators and the general public are being deceived by the well-funded anti-smoking organizations into believing what they hear about second-hand smoke. Read more...
September 09, 2008 Stanley Cup Winner Caters to BOTL

Former Senator and Lightning Stan Neckar brings his Mobile Cigar Lounge to Lovers of the Leaf Read more...
September 09, 2008 Tobacco industry seriously hurt by storm

Cuban cigars might be scarce next year. Hurricane Gustav's winds grievously wounded the tobacco industry in Pinar del Río province, the official daily Granma reported Saturday. More than 5,000 curing barns -- where tobacco leaves are traditionally dried before being turned into cigars -- were damaged Read more...
September 09, 2008 Villiger Releases Long Filler Cigar for 120th Anniversary

SWITZERLAND. Leading cigar house Villiger Söhne hosted a stylish and hugely entertaining 120th anniversary celebration on Friday night, attended by more than 200 guests. These included Swiss politicians, partners, overseas importers, retailers and media. The celebration, held at the stunning hilltop venue of historic Lenzburg Castle, was hosted by company owner Heinrich Villiger, and included the groundbreaking launch of a new handmade long filler cigar: Villiger 1888 (details below). Read more...
September 08, 2008 Imperial Consults UK Govt

Serving in a consulting capacity, Imperial Tobacco disagrees with the UK's stringent proposal regarding regulation of tobacco. Read more...
September 06, 2008 HEARD IN THE HUMIDOR

Highlights of the week in cigars and smoking from For the week of September 8-12, 2008 Read more...
September 05, 2008 Hub eyes new limits on tobacco

Boston Herals weighs in on discussion of more draconian tobacco restrictions being proposed in the city. Read more...
September 04, 2008 Brazilian President Defends Smoking

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Thursday gave a rare defense of smokers' rights, arguing that people should be allowed to smoke where they choose, local newspapers reported. Read more...
September 04, 2008 Habanos S. A. Announces Partagás Salomones

Exclusively aimed at La Casa del Habano stores worldwide, Partagás will unveil a highly appreciated size among the Habanos lovers: the Salomones. This size recreates the style of cigars that existed in the 19th century, when Habanos tapered at both ends became fashionable Read more...
September 03, 2008 American Cancer Societey Targets MJ

Michael Jordan has been smoking cigars for years. He has even appeared on the cover of Cigar Aficionado and did a long interview with editor and publisher Marvin R. Shanken in 2005. But it seems that recent photos of Jordan on TMZ.com was too much for the American Cancer Society. The website showed Jordan at a softball game puffing away. Read more...
September 03, 2008 HEARD IN THE HUMIDOR

Highlights of the week in cigars and smoking from Cigar Cyclopedia For the week of September 1-5, 2008 Read more...
September 03, 2008 Imperial Tobacco Group PLC Delists from NYSE

Imperial Tobacco Group PLC ("Imperial Tobacco") announces that on 2 September 2008 it filed Form 25 with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and provided a copy thereof to the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") to effect its voluntary delisting from the NYSE. The delisting will be effective 10 days after the filing of Form 25, on 12 September 2008. On 12 September 2008 Imperial Tobacco intends to file Forms 15 and 15F with the SEC to deregister and terminate its reporting obligations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"). Read more...
September 03, 2008 Statewide smoking ban soon taking effect in Pa.

Now that Ed Rendell has signed it, Penn. Ban set to go into effect. Read more...
September 03, 2008 Ybor Cigar Maker Makes News in IL

Schooled in cigars, Ybor City based Lazaro Rodriguez takes his show on the road. Read more...
August 31, 2008 Cigar City

Another look at the history of "The Cigar City" Tampa, Florida and Ybor City. Read more...
August 29, 2008 Cigar factory demolition may be closer

Bartow Florida landmark in even more imminent danger. Read more...
August 29, 2008 Women Smokers' Group Release Survey Facts

In a press release from spokesperson Heather Haddad (l0venpeace) the recently-incorporated Association for Women Cigar Smokers alerts interested parties as to the results of their current research survey. Read more...
August 27, 2008 Anti-Tobacco Gore Hosts B-1 Bob For Cigars

Libertarian candidate Bob Barr speaks with Colbert, and reveals sharing a cigar with declared anti-tobacco Al Gore. Read more...
August 27, 2008 Cigars Must Be Declared In Hong Kong

State Department release gives official travel information. Hong Kong, a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China (PRC) since July 1, 1997, has a high degree of autonomy, except in the areas of defense and foreign policy, and retains its own currency, laws, and border controls. It is composed of three geographic areas: the New Territories, Kowloon Peninsula, and Hong Kong Island. Hong Kong SAR is cosmopolitan and highly developed. Tourist facilities and services are widely available. The Hong Kong SAR Government web site provides Hong Kong Fact Sheets on a comprehensive range of subjects at http://www.gov.hk/en/about/abouthk/factsheets/index.htm. Read the Department of State Background Notes on Hong Kong for additional information. Read more...
August 27, 2008 Kinky Tour

Another look at Kinky Friedman's first U. S. tour in fifteen years. Read more...
August 27, 2008 Prattville AL Shop Offers Lounge

Olympians, football players et. al. take advantage of a real smoke shop. Read more...
August 26, 2008 Business Reference Adds Tobacco Information

In a recent press release from Seniour Manager Lauren Woods, "Research and Markets" ( http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/56bc2e/tobacco_product_ma ) has announced the addition of the "Tobacco Product Manufacturing in the US" report to their business reference offerings. Read more...
August 26, 2008 Canberra To Ban Drug Gear

A likely drug paraphenalia ban could affect some tobacconists' sales figures. Read more...
August 26, 2008 Mo Ban Foes Speak Out

Missouri group trying to fight the ban, includes CWer.Another opponent of any legislation to ban smoking in bars, Tony Palazzolo, who lives on The Hill, said he smokes cigars when he's out with friends. He usually can be found smoking a cigar at The Hill Cigar Co., 5360 Southwest Ave., where a roomful of like-minded smokers gather to socialize. They worry the cigar store might also be included in any such ban. "I want the ability to go out and enjoy a scotch and a cigar at a place that allows me to do it," Palazzolo said. Read more...
August 25, 2008 Landmark Cigar Store Indian Leaves Toronto Corner

FAREWELL TO THE CHIEF A beloved feature, the cigar-store Indian who stood guard at Queen and Bathurst has a new home in the suburbs. Read more...
August 25, 2008 New Website for Smoking Women

Now, women are taking the bull by the horns and the cigar by the head, throwing away their Virginia Slims for something that demands more presence. It may seem like an odd concept, this women and cigars thing. But the reason females everywhere are turning to stogies is the same reason men turn to them: a cigar gives the smoker a sense of power, of freedom, and the ability to show off without coming across as arrogant: there is no such thing as an unconfident cigar smoker. Read more...
August 25, 2008 Opus X for CF Charitable Foundation

A Cigar Family Charitable Foundation press release serves notice that the fifth anniversary of the Fuente Fuente Opus X 22 will see the release of new shapes and sizes in this special line. Read more...
August 24, 2008 HEARD IN THE HUMIDOR

Highlights of the week in cigars and smoking from For the week of August 25-29, 2008 From Ron Perelman at Cigar Cyclopedia. Read more...
August 22, 2008 Cigar Loving Friedman to Play DC

"The only thing Jews and cowboys have in common is we both like to wear our hats indoors," says the rarely bareheaded Kinky Friedman, reached by phone at his Echo Hill Ranch in Texas. A novelist, magazine columnist, humorist, cigar maker, animal lover, Texas gubernatorial candidate and occasional touring country singer, he is playing the Birchmere on Thursday. Read more...
August 22, 2008 Cuba: New Mechanized Cigar Brands

ICT is a joint venture with Spain and its main factory is in the capital suburbs, with a production of 10 brands and 44 references, among which Mini, Club, Puritos, Minutes, Universal and Crystal, besides Standard. Read more...
August 22, 2008 Daniel Miranda, 38

Daniel Miranda of Miami Cigars, son of Nestor and Marianna Miranda Miranda succumbed to brain cancer this morning in Miami, after a four year fight. Read more...
August 22, 2008 George Gershel to Retire

Janelle Rosenfeld of Altadis U.S.A. announcet through a company press release this morning that Executive Vice President for Tobacco is retiring after 47 years with the company. Read more...
August 22, 2008 Rome Ga. United Way Lead by Cigar Man

A tough economy is not deterring Roman Steven McDowell of the Old Havana Cigar shop in Rome who hopes to lead the United Way to raise more than $1.5 million in it’s fall campaign this year. Read more...
August 22, 2008 Tampa works to preserve historic buildings

Tampa Preservationists are working with city government to preserve the architectural history and structures of Tampa and Ybor City. Read more...
August 21, 2008 Actions Speak Louder

Cox, Chipper not happy with play. After a sloppy 6-3 loss to the Mets, Braves manager Bobby Cox sat behind his desk last night smoking a cigar - a no-no in what is supposed to be a tobacco-free Shea Stadium. Read more...
August 21, 2008 Michigan Inventor Develops Ornamental Design for Support for Cigars

Kenneth J. Williamson of Troy, Mich., has developed an ornamental design for a support for cigars and the like on a golf cart. Read more...
August 21, 2008 Rare Cigar Charity Auction Raises $75,852 for CFCF

The recent Cigar Family Charitable Foundation Online Charity Auction in celebration of "8-5-8" day exceeded expectations by raising over $75,000. Read more...
August 21, 2008 Tobacco One, Reaches Agreement to Place Ads in Mex. Cabs

Tobacco One, Inc. (Pink Sheets: TBCO), is pleased to announce that it has recently entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with Consejo Nacional Del Transporte of Mexico City, Mexico. Consejo Nacional Del Transporte is the governing taxi union body and will act as the gateway for Tobacco One's exposure in over 120,000 taxicabs nationwide Read more...
August 20, 2008 Drew Estate in Epping

Top Shelf Cigar Company holds a Drew Estate/ACID Cigar event on Friday, Aug. 22 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and a Gran Habano Cigar Event on Saturday, Aug. 23 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at its store at the EppiCenter Plaza, 96 Calef Highway at the junction of routes 101 and 125 in Epping. Read more...
August 20, 2008 HEARD IN THE HUMIDOR

CigarCyclopedia finally learns what we've known about Dea. Highlights of the week in cigars and smoking from For the week of August 4-8, 2008 Read more...
August 20, 2008 Torcedor Rolls Special for British Celeb.

It was a case of one ‘Jim’ fixing it for another when Sir Jimmy Saville visited Otley yesterday. The veteran DJ and television presenter was in town to have a very special cigar rolled for him at James Barber Tobacconists in Westgate. Sir Jimmy has long been a fan of the Cohiba brand, so he was keen to pop along when shop owner James Barber told him a roller from famous Cuban firm Eduardo Diaz Gonzalez would be visiting. And Sir Jimmy, a customer of many years’ standing with the tobacconist, enjoyed watching Mr Gonzalez in action – and sampling the goods afterwards Read more...
August 19, 2008 IPCPR Highlight Video from CAO

CAO Cigars releases their video review of the IPCPR Show and their Anniversary Party featuring Lynrd Skynrd. Read more...
August 19, 2008 Tobacco Sales up in Baltic Latvia

In the first six months of 2008, Latvian tobacco companies made 1,015.3 million cigarettes, which is 31 percent more than over the same period in 2007, according to the figures of State Revenue Service. Specialists of the State Revenue Service said that less than 25 percent of cigarettes made in the first half of the year were released on the domestic market, while the rest were exported. State Revenue Service data show that in the first six months of 2008 Latvia exported 765.4 million cigarettes, which is 36 percent more than last year and made 75 percent of the cigarettes produced in Latvia during the said period. Of this amount, 78 percent of cigarettes were shipped to EU member states, while the rest was sold in third countries. Read more...
August 19, 2008 Tulsa OK Campus Goes Tobacco Free

Oklahoma State University at Tulsa has gone completely tobacco free, banning any and all forms of tobacco from the entire campus. Read more...
August 18, 2008 ChiTown Paper Pans CRA

Seeking to challenge such legislative bans, Cigar Rights of America, a group of cigar makers and retailers, has organized a nationwide tour, with stops planned Thursday at Up Down Cigar on North Wells in Chicago and 8 to 8 Cigar in west suburban Villa Park. Top cigar makers including Carlito Fuente of the Dominican Republic, Charlie Torano of Honduras and Jorge Padron of Nicaragua will appear. Read more...
August 18, 2008 General Cigar Appoints GM of Business Ventures

General Cigar, a subsidiary of Swedish Match, has announced, via a company press release, the appointment of a new General Manager of Business Ventures. Richmond, VA—General Cigar is pleased to announce that Debo Mukherjee joined the company as general manager of business ventures, effective August 11, 2008. Read more...
August 18, 2008 Lions Eye Institute sees research in its future

Former Ybor City Cigar Factory living on as Lions Eye Clinic.New building opens collaboration with business, universities. Read more...
August 18, 2008 Mike's Adds Custom Bands

Mike's Cigars is both a retail and online cigar distributor with headquarters in Miami, Florida. having been in business since 1950. In an additional offering to their vast cigar inventories, Mike's is now offering to create professionally die-cut, custom printed cigar bands for their customers. Read more...
August 18, 2008 Oregon Pol. Visited Cuba

Congressional candidate Mike Erickson is calling a six-day visit to Cuba in 2004 a "humanitarian trip" to deliver medical supplies for the disabled to a Cuban charity. But those familiar with the trip said it was basically a vacation, which likely would have been illegal without the supplies. He said he visited a medical center and met with doctors, The Oregonian on Sunday said it determined the medical center does not exist. Read more...
August 18, 2008 Pittsburgh Area Lounge Is Destination For Smokers

Today, in a time when smoking bans are the trend, the command is more likely to be "Put that out" -- except for establishments that cater to smokers, cigar smokers specifically. Places like Leaning House Fine Cigars and Collectibles in Speers. Read more...
August 18, 2008 Relationships Important To Cigar Success

Markus Raty, president of Torontobased Mombacho Cigars, has some tips for Canadians looking at doing business in Latin America: - Learn the culture -- both social and corporate -- and respect it. - Make every effort to communicate in Spanish whenever possible. - Develop strong relationships with the right people, and things will happen. - Extend your timelines beyond original expectations. - Always have a plan B. Read more...
August 18, 2008 Rocky Patel at Dem. Convention Party

They can play in a poker tournament with Ben Affleck, courtesy of the poker industry. They can try to hit a home run at Coors Field, home of the Colorado Rockies, thanks to AT&T Corp. Free drinks and cigars will be on offer at a bash thrown by the liquor industry. Read more...
August 18, 2008 Rolling Back Ban in Britain?

Tabloid "The Sun" is reporting that the Tories will run on a platform of rolling back smoking bans, national ID cards and other hot-button issues to try and break Labour's stranglehold. It IS The Sun, so don't read too much into it. Read more...
August 15, 2008 New Camacho Select

Camacho Cigars® has begun to ship the New Camacho Select. The first Cameroon-wrapped cigar from Camacho Cigars®, blended by Julio Eiroa. Read more...
August 15, 2008 Smokers Friendly to Host 12th Annual Festival

With the backdrop of Boulders famous Flatirons, Smokers Friendly will host its twelfth annual Smoker Friendly Tobacco Festival and Conference at the Millennium Harvest House from September 8 to 10. Read more...
August 14, 2008 Habanos S. A. Releases RyJ Antiguo Humidor

New Romeo y Julieta humidor debuts. Read more...
August 14, 2008 Historic Cigar Factory Up For Sale

Now high end condominiums, the former Bock & Company building back on the block. Read more...
August 14, 2008 Praise for Cigar Boxes By Collectors

There was a time when almost every American household contained a couple of cigar boxes. Mom stored her receipts or sewing supplies in one, Junior kept his marbles or baseball cards in another, and little Sis made hers a container for her paper dolls' clothes, all of them handed down from Dad after his last cigar had been smoked. But apart from these utilitarian uses, cigar boxes have been collected for centuries, appreciated for their magnificent graphic design and the extraordinary quality of their printing. Read more...
August 13, 2008 Albuquerque's Ned's Still Epicenter

Televised reports out of Albuquerque are pushing Ned's Cigar Bar to cease and desist its allowing smoking until paperwork is complete. Read more...
August 13, 2008 OFAC Fines from July

OFAC levies fines against five for buying Cuban cigars The U.S Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), a unit of the U.S. Treasury, was especially active in July, issuing 19 penalties against entities and individuals who violated various embargo provisions, including those against Cuba. Read more...
August 12, 2008 Maryland Tax Revenues Fall

Studies in Maryland show that smoking is down, and smokers crossing into Virginia to avoid punitive taxation. Politicians in Annapolis are scratching their heads wondering what happened to all those chain smokers who were supposed to help balance Maryland's budget. Last year the legislature doubled the cigarette tax to $2 a pack to pay for expanded health-care coverage. Eight months later, cigarette sales have plunged 25 percent and the state is in fiscal distress again. Read more...
August 12, 2008 Smoking Ban Factor in Decreasing Casinos' Take

Atlantic City casinos' profits down in busiest month, partial smoking ban named as contributing factor. Read more...
August 12, 2008 South Carolina Town Mayor Against Ban

From published television reports, the mayor of Isle of Palms, South Carolina is opposing a smoking ban in the town. He states that most "public" places have already self-policed and worked solutions. Read more...
August 11, 2008 Activists Push for X-rated Films

But actors' union Equity hit back: "This is a form of censorship - we can't just pretend no one smokes. "How could you depict Churchill without an actor smoking a cigar?The very idea is ridiculous." And the British Board of Film Classification - who decide a movie's certificate - said: "We'll end up with the bizarre situation where perfectly acceptable films get an 18 just because an actor has a cigarette." Read more...
August 11, 2008 Bernie Mac Comedian Cigar Lover

Popular comedian, TV and movie star passes at 50. Read more...
August 11, 2008 Bob Barr: Lift Embargo

Barr expressed his opinion to a group of supporters in Colorado. Read more...
August 11, 2008 Cigar Store Carvings Still Popular

Typical art popular with collectors. Read more...
August 11, 2008 HEARD IN THE HUMIDOR

Highlights of the week in cigars and smoking from Read more...
August 11, 2008 The More Things Change...

The archives of The Toronto Globe and Mail show that, in the words of Herman Melville, "Verily, There is nothing new under the sun." Read more...
August 11, 2008 Times of London on Nannyfornia

It was one o'clock in the morning. John Lutz had just left the Grand Palace Stadium cinema complex in the wealthy LA suburb of Calabasas and was standing next to his Mini, smoking a cigarette. As he did so, a massive SUV - the kind that does 10mpg - pulled up alongside him. The driver opened his window, leant out, and said: "Hey, buddy, you can't smoke here." John, a staff writer for a popular American TV show, was unaware that an hour earlier, at midnight, the Calabasas Comprehensive Secondhand Smoke Control Ordinance - the most restrictive anti-smoking policy anywhere in the worldhad gone into effect. Read more...
August 11, 2008 Tobacco One E-Mail Campaign Fraud

Tobacco One, Inc. (Pink Sheets: TBCO), or "the Company," distributor of specialty cigarettes, cigars and other tobacco products (OTP), today announced that it has recently been made aware of a widespread unauthorized dissemination of information in the form of an unsolicited e-mail campaign, which appears to have been initiated by a third party. Read more...
August 10, 2008 Budget-Minded Smokers Seek New Tobacco Options

Sales of machine-made and budget brands appealing to more smokers based on price. Read more...
August 10, 2008 Indy Star Discovers Ybor City

As part of a longer travel piece extolling the virtues of the entire Tampa Bay area including Clearwater and St. Petersburg, Ybor City's unique history is drawing card. So is more days of sunshine than the Hawaiian Islands. Read more...
August 09, 2008 Cali. Labor Union Tries to Implicate Gran Havana Room

Los Angeles Union tries to hide money ,claiming the Grand Havana Room provided accommodations. Read more...
August 08, 2008 Cigar Rights of America Invite Members

Driven by increasing calls from cigar connoisseurs and enthusiasts, a consortium of cigar manufacturers and premium cigar retailers have formed Cigar Rights of America (CRA), a nonprofit organization formed to give cigar lovers across the United States a voice in the rising debate over cigar smoking rights for those who enjoy cigars for pleasure. Read more...
August 08, 2008 Man's Fish Smoke

Fish gotta swim, birds gotta fly. But Marvin Burd’s fish smoke cigars. Retiree/pop artist boasts folk sculptures featuring cigar bands. Read more...
August 08, 2008 Paradox of Smoking in UK : Finely Aged Cubans

The news that a self-employed painter and decorator taking a break in his own van and sharing a fag with his mate had the dubious honour of being the first to be fined for smoking at his workplace made for a good silly season story. Greater Manchester councillors want to use their powers under local government legislation to impose local age restrictions in local cinemas to classify any film that "glamorises smoking" as over 18, regardless of other content that might be glamorising gratuitous sex and violence. But not much of this is new to Simon Chase, marketing director at Habanos UK agent Hunters & Frankau, from when he learned the trade. Read more...
August 08, 2008 Savoring Cigars Morton’s Steakhouse hosts P.G. Cigars dinner.

"This is a civilized evening with good company, good food, and good cigars," said Paul Garmirian of McLean, P.G. Cigars founder. Garmirian chose the cigars that embellished each course. The hand-rolled Garmirian cigar line is produced in the Dominican Republic. Morton's Steakhouse, Reston, Virginia, hosts Paul Garmirian Event. Read more...
August 08, 2008 Silvia Mann, widow of civic leader Fredric Mann, dies

After her husband's term as ambassador to Barbados in the 1960s, she returned to Philadelphia with an injured dog, named Connelly, that she had rescued from the roadside. When her husband was proclaimed "outstanding cigar smoker" by the Cigar Smokers of America, she broke the association's gender barrier by picking up the award in his place, since she enjoyed cigars, too. Read more...
August 06, 2008 Alabama Teens Smoking Less

AP reporter Desirée Hunter reports from Montgomery that surveys are showing that fewer teens in Alabama are smoking Read more...
August 06, 2008 Iowa Ban Stands

DES MOINES - A district judge ruled today that a coalition of bar owners failed to provide a convincing claim that a new law banning smoking in most public places should be stopped from being enforced. Polk County District Judge Douglas Staskal refused to issue a temporary injunction to halt the implementation of Iowa's "smoke-free air act," which has been in place since July 1. Read more...
August 06, 2008 New Connecticut Store Makes the Papers

SOUTHBURY - Taking pieces from family trips all over the U.S. and Europe, mixed with a passion for cigars and for friends and family to spend time together, Tony and Anne Armeno opened Grand Prix Cigars at 1455 Southford Road on April 17. Read more...
August 05, 2008 Cigar Family Charitable Foundation Auction

The Cigar Family Charitable Foundation is having a fund-raising auction, with August 5th, 2008, 8/5/08 being 8-5-8 Day. Read more...
August 05, 2008 Feds want to keep nearly $12K Seized From Critic

Film critic and producer busted returning to Detroit from Windsor. Cash in a cigar box and Cuban cigars confiscated. Read more...
August 05, 2008 Groups rally against extended smoking ban in Dallas

A coalition of tavern industry, limited government and smokers' rights advocates say they'll battle efforts under way by Dallas politicians and health organizations to expand the city's public smoking ban to bars and pool halls. "It's a small group of people trying to have their utopia at our expense," said John Barton, manager of tobacco shop Up In Smoke, during a rally Tuesday at Dallas' Havana Social Club cigar and rum bar. "We're going to meet this head-on. What's happening here – this is socialism. This is communism." Read more...
August 04, 2008 Bike Cuba?

Australia's Sunday Telegraph offers unique and interesting travel itineraries. Add Cuba by bicycle to that list. Read more...
August 04, 2008 Ever Want to Be a Fly on the Wall.