Cigar Weekly

cigarfan · 09-17-2003, 05:31 PM

It's a pet peeve of mine.

An agent for Allstate Insurance, told me that years ago, Allstate classified cigar/pipe smokers as non smokers, as far as insurance ratings go.
For the past few years, now if you look for life insurance, you'll get the question..did you use *tobacco* in past 12 months. It's all lumped together. I think this is most unfair.
I was honest and told them (this was several years ago) that I smoked cigars. I even had a few the weekend before my physical. My blood test showed no evidence..of nicotine in my blood. So I could have gotten away with a lower rate..but I sleep at night knowing I'm honest.
I've been smoking cigars on and off since the mid 80s. During this time, I've went as much as a full year..without even ONE cigar! No withdrawal, no need of wearing a patch...no cravings..nothing. This was during the top of the cigar boom..and my favorites were hard to find...and well, I just stopped for awhile. No particular reason.
I have smoked several a week, and then none for a week..or even two.

I'd hardly call cigars addictive. At least in a physical sense. Yes, I enjoy the relaxation a good cigar brings. So I do enjoy them regulary, but why should I be grouped in with cigarette smokers. I'm not judging cigarette smokers, each to their own, but I don't think it's fair.

-Jeff

Big Smoke · 09-17-2003, 05:47 PM

Good post. I think the only reason they haven't actually listed cigars by name is because "they" smoke cigars. But, now, "they" are even under attack.

--------------------
"I didn't complain, because it didn't effect me ..... but when they came for me, there was nobody left to stand up for me."

cigarfan · 09-17-2003, 08:06 PM

One more thing. I didn't mean to sound anti-cigarette smoker, or come across as thinking I'm superior (because I smoke cigars). I hope no cigarette smoker was offended. If so, I apologize. My complaint is not with smokers, but the insurance companies.

-Jeff

leond51 · 09-18-2003, 03:50 PM

I still smoke a few cigarette's each day (home stuffed)and no offence taken.I totally agree.

cliffie3d · 09-20-2003, 09:26 AM

Hey, there are times we're even placed a notch below cigarette smokers. I sat down in a local cigar-friendly club with four or five friends in the midst of probably 20 to 30 cigarette smokers. The room was already filled with smoke. Ten minutes after lighting up the manager asked us to put out our cigars! Maybe the smoke alarm going off had something to do with it (hee hee), but it really yanked my chain that he didn't even consider the dozens of cigarettes as being responsible. We haven't been back since.

I know this has been said before, but why in the world is it acceptable in a club to have rank cigarette smoke swirling everywhere, and when a single cigar is lit, people get all cranky about it? I don't understand how anyone can turn their nose up to the fine-smelling aroma of a cigar when they've been breathing cigarette smoke for hours.

Eagle · 09-20-2003, 11:50 AM

I lied to my Insur co. and I still sleep good at night.

gumby · 09-20-2003, 12:04 PM

I agree, insurance shouold differentiate.

Latin Lawyer · 09-20-2003, 12:15 PM

I had the same exerience as Cliffie at this year's Las Vegas Cigar Summit. After attending the Herf at the Sahara, I went downstairs with a buddy to play some poker. We brought the cigars we were smoking and were about to sit down at a table in smoke-filled poker room when a floor manager told us our cigar smoking wasn't welcome there. I pointed all the three dozen people that were smoking their chemical-laced cigarettes and he just said, "sorry, casino policy." I told him the Sahara hypocritical policy can kiss my ass and money good-bye.

I then went back to the Rio and enjoyed my stogies surrounded by hotties.

See, there was a good ending to such a horrible story

rookie139 · 09-20-2003, 02:04 PM

A guy at work (we share cars between shifts) complains about the car smelling like cigars after my shift...I use Ozium and smoke only during the first part of my twelve hour shift, so I know the car DOESN'T smell like cigars at the end of my shift...smells more like vanilla-scented ozium

...THIS coming from a guy who spends about 3/4 of his off duty time in cigarette smoke-filled bars...Guy's a freakin BARFLY!!

Keith

09-17-2003, 05:31 PM	#1
cigarfan Herf God Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Mississippi Posts: 10,822	I hate it when 'gar smokers are equated to cigarette smokers It's a pet peeve of mine. An agent for Allstate Insurance, told me that years ago, Allstate classified cigar/pipe smokers as non smokers, as far as insurance ratings go. For the past few years, now if you look for life insurance, you'll get the question..did you use tobacco in past 12 months. It's all lumped together. I think this is most unfair. I was honest and told them (this was several years ago) that I smoked cigars. I even had a few the weekend before my physical. My blood test showed no evidence..of nicotine in my blood. So I could have gotten away with a lower rate..but I sleep at night knowing I'm honest. I've been smoking cigars on and off since the mid 80s. During this time, I've went as much as a full year..without even ONE cigar! No withdrawal, no need of wearing a patch...no cravings..nothing. This was during the top of the cigar boom..and my favorites were hard to find...and well, I just stopped for awhile. No particular reason. I have smoked several a week, and then none for a week..or even two. I'd hardly call cigars addictive. At least in a physical sense. Yes, I enjoy the relaxation a good cigar brings. So I do enjoy them regulary, but why should I be grouped in with cigarette smokers. I'm not judging cigarette smokers, each to their own, but I don't think it's fair. -Jeff __________________ It's not an optical illusion, it just looks like one.

09-17-2003, 08:06 PM	#3
cigarfan Herf God Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Mississippi Posts: 10,822	One more thing. I didn't mean to sound anti-cigarette smoker, or come across as thinking I'm superior (because I smoke cigars). I hope no cigarette smoker was offended. If so, I apologize. My complaint is not with smokers, but the insurance companies. -Jeff __________________ It's not an optical illusion, it just looks like one.

09-20-2003, 09:26 AM	#5
cliffie3d Club Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Lubbock, Republic of Texas Posts: 3,197	Hey, there are times we're even placed a notch below cigarette smokers. I sat down in a local cigar-friendly club with four or five friends in the midst of probably 20 to 30 cigarette smokers. The room was already filled with smoke. Ten minutes after lighting up the manager asked us to put out our cigars! Maybe the smoke alarm going off had something to do with it (hee hee), but it really yanked my chain that he didn't even consider the dozens of cigarettes as being responsible. We haven't been back since. I know this has been said before, but why in the world is it acceptable in a club to have rank cigarette smoke swirling everywhere, and when a single cigar is lit, people get all cranky about it? I don't understand how anyone can turn their nose up to the fine-smelling aroma of a cigar when they've been breathing cigarette smoke for hours. __________________ "I'd like to see a Ninja kick that much ass with a peg leg."

09-20-2003, 12:04 PM	#7
gumby Contributing Editor MOM November 2012 Emeritus Honorary MOM November 2021 Herf God Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Republic of Texas Posts: 48,078	I agree, insurance shouold differentiate. __________________ I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them. Thomas Jefferson

09-20-2003, 12:15 PM	#8
Latin Lawyer Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Downey, CA USA Posts: 559	I had the same exerience as Cliffie at this year's Las Vegas Cigar Summit. After attending the Herf at the Sahara, I went downstairs with a buddy to play some poker. We brought the cigars we were smoking and were about to sit down at a table in smoke-filled poker room when a floor manager told us our cigar smoking wasn't welcome there. I pointed all the three dozen people that were smoking their chemical-laced cigarettes and he just said, "sorry, casino policy." I told him the Sahara hypocritical policy can kiss my ass and money good-bye. I then went back to the Rio and enjoyed my stogies surrounded by hotties. See, there was a good ending to such a horrible story __________________ It's all about the B's, baby: Benzos, Belicosos, Benjamins, Beer & Babes!

09-17-2003, 05:47 PM	#2
Big Smoke Club Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Rockville, MD Posts: 4,576	Good post. I think the only reason they haven't actually listed cigars by name is because "they" smoke cigars. But, now, "they" are even under attack. -------------------- "I didn't complain, because it didn't effect me ..... but when they came for me, there was nobody left to stand up for me."

09-18-2003, 03:50 PM	#4
leond51 Starting Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Flint,Mi Posts: 43	I still smoke a few cigarette's each day (home stuffed)and no offence taken.I totally agree.

09-20-2003, 11:50 AM	#6
Eagle Club Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Hope Mills NC Posts: 1,607	I lied to my Insur co. and I still sleep good at night.

09-20-2003, 02:04 PM	#9
rookie139 Herf God Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: North Burbs of Chicago Posts: 17,261	A guy at work (we share cars between shifts) complains about the car smelling like cigars after my shift...I use Ozium and smoke only during the first part of my twelve hour shift, so I know the car DOESN'T smell like cigars at the end of my shift...smells more like vanilla-scented ozium ...THIS coming from a guy who spends about 3/4 of his off duty time in cigarette smoke-filled bars...Guy's a freakin BARFLY!! Keith __________________ Ed and his family will always be in our thoughts...R.I.P.