Bigger is Better? by Frank Seltzer
I know many cigar smokers think the bigger ring gauges are better. There is a myth that the bigger the ring gauge the cooler the smoke. Nonsense. A well made lancero smokes just as well as a monster. Be that as it may, Ernesto Perez Carrillo—the father of La Gloria Cubana who pioneered big ring gauges with the monster Sobriano at 8” x 52 and then the Serie R which boasts a 60 ring gauge in one of its sizes— is back on his own with EP Carrillo cigars and at this year’s trade show is coming out with “The INCH”. Ring gauges are measured in 1/64th of an inch and Ernesto putting out 3 new cigar sizes — a 5.875” x 60, a 5” x62 and a 6.125 X 64. Yup, it is an inch in diameter. The cigars will retail between $7.75 and $10. They will be available in Natural with an Ecuador Sumatra wrapper or in Maduro with Connecticut Broadleaf over Nicaraguan binder and Dominican filler along with a little Nicaraguan viso. They are tasty, but the 64 ring gauge is waaaaaay too big for me to even try to smoke.
Sour Grapes
This ain’t some new flavor from Swisher. It seems some of the Kalifornia people who backed and lost on Prop 29 which would have raised tobacco taxes are now trying for a recount. But not everywhere, just certain LA precincts. It is estimated that the recount would cost California about $5,700 per day and would take more than a week and those asking for the recount must pay for it (unless it changes the election). See they never give up and neither should we.
What’s Next
Smoking bans are not new. They have been around for over 400 years. The first published smoking ban came from the Roman Catholic Church in 1575 when it banned the use of tobacco throughout any place of worship in the Spanish Colonies. About 100 years later Ottoman Sultan Murad IV banned smoking and executed as many as 18 people per day for violating his decree. (The fines don’t seem so bad now do they?)
The modern incarnation goes to the Nazis who tried (unsuccessfully) to ban smoking. (See there really were Smoke Nazis.) In 1975, Minnesota became the first state to ban smoking in most public places and to require restaurants to have non smoking sections. The other side said it was to give non smokers the right to not have someone light up right next to them. Smokers being rather accommodating folks said that doesn’t seem so bad…so sure.
Incrementalism is the way the other side operates. Start with non smoking sections…then in 1985 Aspen Colorado banned smoking from all restaurants. Just one more step. But how could the anti’s spread the ban further? They needed something more and in the 90s Second Hand Smoke was born. The EPA lied in claiming it was a carcinogen, even Dr. Michael Crichton—the author and not a smoking fan – agreed that the science was not there. (If you haven’t seen his logic watch it.)
Then came the New York City smoking ban. In 2002, Nanny Bloomberg banned smoking in all bars, restaurants, offices –pretty much everywhere inside. In 2011, because all of New York’s other problems were solved and unicorns were roaming Broadway, he expanded the ban to outside places as well.
Just yesterday, the Atlanta city council voted to ban smoking and tobacco use in parks. Violators will be subject to fines of up to $1,000, six months in jail or community service and the penalties would be up to the discretion of judges. Yeah that works. The ONLY vote against this crap came from councilman Howard Shook.
“I am concerned about turning our city code into a guide for preferred manners and lifestyle tips,” Shook said.
Finally, there is Santa Monica, CA. Not to be outdone, the whackos in California have decided to trample on the constitutional right of private property. The city morons last week passed an ordinance to ban smoking inside private residences! Apartments and Condos are covered by this ban. (Hang on home owners…you are next.) The one accommodation they made to smokers was that you could designate by a certain date whether your condo was smoking or not. Once designated non smoking it would forever be that way. However, as we know once a law is passed it doesn’t necessarily stay that way. Nearby Pasadena plans to make all apartments, condos and townhouses smoke free next year and Santa Monica is thinking about that as well. Forget private property.
What you MUST understand is that the other side will never give up and CANNOT be worked with on a compromise. They take a little here and there with their ultimate goal of banning smoking EVERYWHERE.
This is why we must combat apathy and fight back. The International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Association and the Cigar Rights of America are two organizations helping us to have a voice. We are totally outgunned in terms of money by the other side, but with enough support we can make a difference. The other side will overreach and eventually we will pick up more support. But we MUST stay active.
The Heartland Institute, a free-market group based in Chicago, concluded in a 2008 article on the history of smoking bans:
Placed in historical context, today’s anti-smoking restrictions appear to be neither progressive nor permanent. Like past bans, they are based on prejudices and conventional wisdom that are likely to be falsified by new scientific and health discoveries or, if you like, new prejudices and conventional wisdoms.
Also like past bans, today’s prohibitions are leading to civil disobedience, black markets, and heavy social and economic costs.
With the anti-smoking message backed by billions of dollars from government, foundations, and drug companies, it is easy to overlook the backlash that is already occurring and has been growing stronger. Business owners have been fighting back against smoking restrictions, and prohibitions are being more widely flouted in places such as Italy, Spain, Turkey, and, yes, to some degree even in California.
In addition, governments need the revenue that smokers provide in taxes and in revenue to hospitality establishments that cater to a smoking clientele.
Though the anti-smoking movement looks formidable, if history is any indication we will not have to wait long for current smoking bans to unravel.
It cannot come soon enough.
