Well, kind of. Formed in 2002, the Crocodile Club of Bristol, Connecticut, always enjoys a cigar at the end of their meetings. But not this year, says county officials. Says Louise DeMars, executive director of the New England Carousel Museum, “There are so few smokers left in the world that people have become accustomed to not doing it.” Pardon us?

Sorry, got choked up a bit on the cigar that I was enjoying.

We’re pretty sure that cigar smoking is enjoyed by more people than Mrs. DeMars realizes, a fact we’re glad to call to light. We’re just confined to our homes now. It’s not a matter of people becoming accustomed to not smoking, it’s that enjoying a quality stogie has become strictly regulated.

Seal of Bristol Connecticut

To be fair, Connecticut does have an anti-smoking policy that was signed into law in 2004. We respect laws, and their place in society. However, DeMars and the New England Carousel Museum board members are bringing back the Crocodile Club, which has historical roots in the county, at a formal fundraising dinner in an effort to raise awareness and generate funding for the non-profit museum. More than $400 was purportedly spent on cigars that were purchased to commemorate the club’s tradition. Mixed message, much?

Sorry, Crocodile Club members, you’ll have to wait to enjoy that tradition after you’ve shelled out fundraising cash.