Cigar Libre

The fine stogie-loving citizens of  Pennsylvania can rest easy as proposals to tax cigars have all but been vetoed right from the voting table. Lawmakers have tabled the legislation outlining a 30% increase on cigars and other tobacco products, and we hope this issue is tabled for good.

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In the midst of tight economic times many states are ushering in new or heftier tax increases on tobacco in the hopes of filling gaping holes left in budgets. It’s an easy target, and one that too many cigar aficionados out there are forced to pay up in the name of enjoying one of the world’s most common pastimes. Pennsylvania itself is struggling to recover a missing $1.2 billion budget cash crunch. Still, it’s our take that lawmakers and politicians can find additional revenue streams rather than cashing in on tobacco crops.

Safe for now, Pennsylvania residents can still proudly call their cigar purchases tax-free. The reader may be interested to know that the so-called Keystone State is in fact one of only two states in the U.S. that does not tax cigars, claiming this other title with Florida. Pennsylvania: synonymous with liberty, freedom, and no-cigar tax. Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em.

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Arizona has been in the news a lot lately for their tough crackdown on illegal immigration laws; some speculating that these laws incite racial profiling. In a bold move, the City of Los Angeles has even officially boycotted Arizona and its businesses including TexCigars.com, a premium cigar online retailer. In spite of this, support is flowing in from all over the country for the cigar company.

Illegal immigration is a hotly debated topic, especially under new regulations issues by the current administration. And as new legislation rolls out, other states plan on jumping on the Arizona bandwagon. Expect to see ripples across the media waves for states like Missouri, Pennsylvania, and Utah as they jump in line with the tough approach Arizona takes regarding illegal immigration. As for TexCigars.com, they stand by their home state’s views and happily continue ringing up sales for their premium stogies.

Jarrod Smith, Owner of Tex Cigars, Inc. recently expressed his “surprise” at the support pouring in from all over the country, saying: “I didn’t realize how much attention these laws were getting from outside states and people around the country…we’re getting several calls a day from people that want to buy from us simply because we are located in Arizona. We even got one call from Australia.”

If you’d like to show your support of Tex Cigars, Inc., please visit their website at:  www.TexCigars.com.

Big thanks to PRWeb for the coverage.

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Berger & Argenti, a new joint venture between Michael Argenti formerly with Cuban Imports Cigar Co. and Henry “Kiki” Berger have announced two new cigar brands to the market.

“Clasico” and “Entubar” are the first of the two brands from the new venture. Clasico is a traditional cigar composed of Nicaraguan tobacco and wrapped in Ecuadorian paper. Entubar bears the namesake for the way the cigar is made; as tobacco filler is rolled rather than folded. The cigar’s most distinguishing characteristic is its foot, however, extending almost a half an inch from the end of the cigar.

Cuban Imports Cigar Co. have set price ranges for the Clasico in the $4.50 and $7.50 range with sizes from Corona Gorda, Rothschild, Belicoso, and Churchill options. The Entubar debuts in four sizes: Robusto, Double Corona, Torpedo, and Gran Toro sizes and retails for $8.99 to $11.99.

We’re expecting great things from the new partnership and can’t wait to see what they come out with next.

Honduras-located  Cuban Caiman Cigars recently celebrated their 10-year anniversary. The cigar maker known for their exclusive hand-rolling is ringing in one decade in business by launching their new website: www.LabelYourCigar.com.

LabelYourCigar.com offers custom cigar labeling for any reason you can think of wanting one: weddings, parties, promo items, or simply wanting to see your own smiling face and name on your stogie. They offer a variety of label designs to get you started, or you can use their in-house design team to get a truly custom order. Cuba Caiman’s LabelYourCigar.com website brings the innovative technology of today to old-world stogie enjoyment.

The Cuba Caiman Cigars factory is owned by Pedro Estevez who was born in Artemisa, Cuba from a long line of tobacco rollers. He has worked for the Villamil Tobacco Company which produces top brands like el Cohiba and El Hoyo Monterey. Cuba Caiman Cigars offers premium cigars like Salomon, Corona, Double Corona, Toro, Torpedos, Churchill, and Robustos by the bundle or by the case. For more information on the various types of cigars, and to find out more information about the company, please visit:  www.CubaCaimanCigar.com.

Congratulations, on a fantastic decade in the business, Cuban Caiman Cigars. Here’s to another great 10 years!

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With more than $620 million missing from their budget, New York scrambles to fill in missing gaps with tax hikes on, of course, cigars. Currently, tax rates for cigars are 46% of wholesale prices, but under new plans the state will raise tax rates to an astounding 90% of wholesale price. Cigarettes, little cigars, and snuff are not to be missed, and each of these will carry tax hikes too.

New York tobacco shops and tobacconists fear the tax hikes will drive consumers to search for cheaper prices across state lines or on the Internet. Although the proposed cigar tax hits every tobacco seller, the smaller businesses stand to lose it al. Cigar shops who have been hand-rolling cigars, family owned businesses, and the cigar shop down the street all face uncertain futures  as legislature rushes to tie loose ends in the state budget. Major arguments against the tax increases include those that point out that tax increases put the crunch on consumers who turn elsewhere to purchase their products, which in the end puts companies out of business. New York government is urged to reconsider the tobacco tax hikes and search elsewhere for budget bailouts that don’t provide band-aid solutions. For more reading on the subject, visit PRWeb for more info.

In the face of a tough economy, states across the country are in similar positions as New York. With decreased federal funding these states are on their own for fundraising efforts. If you live in New York, or any other state that has imposed tax increases on your stogies, how have you been coping?

For all the newbies out there who may be venturing into the wonderful world of cigar appreciation – or for those who just look plain silly lighting a cigar and don’t know any better – we’re offering a 101 lesson in cigar lighting. The proper care and lighting of a cigar is important to the overall smoke experience. Think of the lighting as the catalyst to a rich sensory experience. You want to make sure you not only get it right, but understand why it’s so important in the first place.

First: handle your cigar gently. Remember that your cigar is wrapped in tobacco paper and that this outer covering will absorb any chemicals that it comes into contact with. Whatever is absorbed into the tobacco leaf will alter the taste of your cigar. Keeping this in mind, consider your flame of choice. Matches made with sulfur materials or anything other than a butane lighter will release chemicals in the flame that will transfer onto the tobacco wrapper of your cigar.

With flame in hand, hold the cigar end to the fire making sure to rotate it a few times before puffing. This action works to warm up the cigar end prior to actually lighting the stogie; it preps it for the actual lighting. With your cigar properly primed, go ahead and begin puffing while rotating the cigar and holding it to the flame – but not inside the flame.

You’ve invested time in selecting the right smoke, and you’re expecting a great experience – don’t put a stink on it by lighting your stogie improperly. For more great reading about lighting your cigar, or just excellent reading while puffing, check out: CigarHandbook.com.

Currently, the FDA only regulates tobacco, cigarettes, and roll-your-own types, but in recent press the Federal Drug Administration has declared that it will be extending regulations to include cigars. The notice, sent out under the Federal Register (the daily publication of the U.S. Government containing all new proposed legislation and regulations) reports that the new regs will come in under the Family Smoking Prevention & Tobacco Control Act passed by Congress in June 2009. The new legislation will be amended under section 901 to include cigars specifically.

What does this mean for you and your favorite stogies? In the past, The Federal Drug Administration has required that cigarette companies disclose ingredients, nicotine levels, and heavily regulated advertisements so that they don’t appeal to children and those under the legal age to purchase and consume tobacco products. Readers will be interested to know that the FDA banned sale and consumption of certain flavored cigarettes, especially those with cloves imported from Indonesia.

In June of this year the FDA will have to issue a proposed order to the general public. At this time commentary will be allowed and you can believe that pro-tobacco organizations are already preparing for their official statements. The National Association of Tobacco Outlets has confirmed that it will be issuing comments to the pending legislation in June.

For more reading on this topic, including portions from the Federal Register, please visit: CSPNet.com and CigarCyclopedia.com. Thanks to both publications for their timely and informative coverage.

How do you feel about the pending legislation? Will you be lobbying your professional organization to make an official statement in June?

My Father Cigars, Inc. is set to make available the much anticipated newest addition to their line of smokes. The Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial should be released for purchase within the next few weeks.