Recent Cigar News.

[TommyBB]

More from Indianapolis. A very common sense letter to the editor of the Indy Star from a local bartender.
Link

Even the market is adjusting as there are nonsmoking bars that have opened in Indianapolis since the compromise was enacted. This goes to show people are voting with their feet and wallets. Bar owners are mostly independent mom-and-pop establishments -- the small businesses that politicians like to point out are the core of our economy. Further restricting the abilities of bar owners would only further cripple our already fragile economy. Smoking bans elsewhere in Indiana have closed more than 100 bars, putting employees and owners on the already swollen unemployment rolls, along with removing the ability of responsible adults to make their own decisions. Modern smoking bans serve only to allow a bullying majority to impose their will on a less-vocal minority who just want to be left alone.

[TommyBB]

Thanks to Glynn Loope of the CRA for this link. Seems that a poll of Ohio citizens shows that a majority are in favor of rolling back part of the smoking ban. Namely, they want the ability to have a smoke in bars.

Ohio Poll: Rethink Smoking Ban
from the Cincinnati Enquirer
Please go to the site and vote in the poll, as well. Looks like a lot of comments on the story, too.

The Ohio Health Issues Poll, conducted on behalf of the Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati, found that 53 percent of adults surveyed favored repealing the ban in bars.

• Politics Extra blog: Find complete poll results

But while most Ohioans want to have a smoke with their beer, they'd like to keep their jobs and meals out smoke-free, said Jennifer Chubinski, director of health data improvement for the Health Foundation.

The survey found 77 percent of respondents favored continuing the smoking ban in workplaces, and 78 percent favored continuing it in restaurants.

Support for the ban in those locations remained strong even among current smokers, results showed: 60 percent of smokers favored continuing smoke-free workplaces, while 62 percent favored smoke-free restaurants.

There's also been talk around the state about increasing the state's cigarette tax. Supporters say a 40-cent hike per pack will generate more revenue for the cash-strapped state and reduce smoking rates, especially among teens.

The Health Foundation's poll found 48 percent of Ohio adults support the tax increase.

Not surprisingly, support is highest among adults who've never smoked - 65 percent - and lowest among current smokers - 14 percent.

[TommyBB]

In re: my last post. Look at this comment on that article. Boy there are some less than informed Ohioans out there.

Ohio liquor permit holders purchase their liquor from State Liquor Stores. Since 2006, not factoring in growth we'd been experiencing, we are DOWN 1.1 MILLION BOTTLES OF LIQUOR. That equates to $141 million in lost revenue to liquor permit holders and the State of Ohio lost $9.5 million in sales taxes. Does that suggest to anyone that maybe, just maybe, SmokeFree Ohio not only deceived voters with the ballot language that said family owned businesses and private clubs would be exempt, but that OUR BUSINESSES WOULD NOT, repeat NOT be harmed by the ban. Another LIE!!! The first year alone, we lost 1/8th of the "drinking places" in Ohio. 313 closed. Before you celebrate that less people are "out" drinking (and smoking), let me also share the liquor sales for HOME CONSUMPTION, that have INCREASED by 4.4 MILLION BOTTLES. That's more people drinking at parties, driving and being around the family. These are stats provided me by the State of Ohio.

[N99]

we are DOWN 1.1 MILLION BOTTLES OF LIQUOR. That equates to $141 million in lost revenue to liquor permit holders and the State of Ohio lost $9.5 million in sales taxes

the liquor sales for HOME CONSUMPTION, that have INCREASED by 4.4 MILLION BOTTLES

The money quote is in bold. This means by shafting bar owners, the state picked up an increase in sales taxes of 3.3 million bottles of liquor! According to the figures above, which I have no idea are correct or not, thats $28.5 Million dollars increase in sales tax revenue for the state, even after the losses of the bar sales.

That is why this ban won't be touched IMO, the state is making more money by people staying home.

[TommyBB]

Another quote from the same guy

Another uncalculated loss are the snacks and dinners that those smokers would purchase while they enjoyed some comradarie. And the waiters/waitresses who lost tips or their jobs.

We're open 35 hours a week LESS now. That's a CHUNK out our bartenders' pay. Those liquor losses I quoted don't include beer losses (which we sell 3:1 to liquor so it's an even bigger impact on us). It's musicians who lose, coin machine vendors, the potato chip vendor, the smokeater guy (NO need for him anymore), it's a LOT of trickle down losses. Our bills aren't less! Our business loan payment didn't decrease with the loss of revenue. Our building payment didn't decrease. The only thing that decreased was payroll.

[TommyBB]

Xikar to introduce Acid and Liga Privada Accessories for Drew Estate

Guantanamera of Miami WINS Court Case Against Habanos S.A.

[TommyBB]

Former CAO Exec. Gary Hyams now President of Beach Cigar Group, Inc. Parent company of Gurkha.

CW News

Zino Platinum Lounge to open in St. Louis

[TommyBB]

Newly created Sam Leccia Cigar Company, formally announced on May 27, 2011, reaches distribution agreement with Toraño.

Torano and Leccia Team Created

[TommyBB]

La Flor Dominicana Re-Brands Original Line

La Flor Dominicana has recently announced a change in their branding scheme. With the advent and success of their Ligero and Double Ligero offerings possibly overshadowing the "regular," Connecticut-shade wrapped La Flor Dominicana line over the last ten years, this move seems to be destined to recreate some recognition of what has been a very consistent line of cigars. The change will also bring new packaging, considered "shelf-friendly" and two new sizes, as well.