Fore! by Frank Seltzer
If you like golf, you need to take a look at the new contest Macanudo is putting on, called the Macanudo Ultimate Round The Masters is undoubtedly one of golf’s premier events and Macanudo is offering you the chance to go next year. All you have to do is buy a box of Macanudo, Macanudo Cru Royale, Macanudo Robust, Macanudo Maduro or Macanudo Vintage 2000 and you will be automatically entered into the national sweepstakes. (Every box purchase gets you another entry into the contest.)
Another way to enter is to submit a golf-themed photo submitted via Facebook or on the Macanudo website. This is separate from the National Sweepstakes so there will be a total of 8 grand prizes – 7 for the national sweepstakes and one for the photo contest.. The winners get a 6 day/5 night trip to the Masters including airfare and accommodations.
Michigan to cut cigar tax
Here is some good news
The IPCPR announced this week that the Michigan House Commerce Committee approved a plan that would cap the state tax on premium cigars at 50 cents. As of now, Michigan adds a 32% tax on all premium cigars, which puts an additional $3.20 to a 10-dollar smoke. This will be a big savings and more than likely will net Michigan more tax money. The vote in committee was 12-2 in favor. It now goes to the House for approval. Michigan is in a limited session this summer so IPCPR legislative director Chris McCalla says he expects final approval to happen sometime in August or September. Due to technical matters, McCalla says, the bill will need to go back to the Senate for another vote but considering it passed 35-1 he does not expect any problems.
2 More Sponsors
In other legislative work, the IPCPR has announced two additional House sponsors to HR 1639 (which exempts premium cigars from the FDA’s clutches). This brings the total to 210 (the original sponsor and 209 co-sponsors. Rep Heath Schuler from North Carolina and Rep. Nan Hayworth are the latest. (It would be very nice to have 218 co sponsors because that would be over 50% of the House membership.) If you have not written your Congressman or Senator, please do it today.
Second Hand Smoke Suit Dismissed
This week, a federal judge in New Orleans dismissed a Second Hand Smoke lawsuit against Harrah’s Casino. It was brought by a woman who claimed her son contracted leukemia from working in Harrah’s New Orleans Casino where smoking is allowed. The suit alleges Harrah’s has done nothing to protect its employees from the exposure to second hand smoke.of course the fact that second hand smoke is a myth…well that doesn’t matter. The judge threw out the case on technical grounds because the mother bringing the suit did not file a Workers Compensation claim since she was arguing that this was a work related injury. A similar suit is still pending in Las Vegas against the Wynn Casino by a union activist. There were similar claims made in Atlantic City against the casinos which resulted in about a 2 week period when all AC casinos went smoke free…and the Casinos and city lost millions of dollars because of it. What the other side cannot get done via city councils and legislatures, they will use the courts to do their dirty work.
Ban Fizzles
Last week in Dublin, California—an eastern suburb of San Francisco— the mayor tried to institute a moratorium on new business licenses for tobacco shops, but he couldn’t even get enough support to bring it up for a vote. The city is working on an ordinance to set restrictions on how close a tobacco store (even 7-11s) can be to schools, parks and to competing tobacco retailers. The city also wants to license tobacco retailers and be able to revoke or suspend those licenses should they sell to minors. Never mind it is already illegal to sell tobacco to minors. The city plans to grandfather existing stores to most of the new regulations. One council member, Kevin Hart, is a non smoker but he expressed the rarest commodity in California—common sense—by questioning whether the city should be placing limits on where a LEGAL product can be sold
“I think we are overstepping our boundaries on such an ordinance,” Hart said. “It is not something we should be in the middle of. Where do we draw the line? This is big brother, and to me we are saying you can’t buy cigarettes.”
Wacky Tabaccy OK
Speaking of common sense just travel a little west of Dublin and you will find the idiots in San Francisco. The Board of Supervisors for that city is considering an ordinance that would ban smoking at any OUTSIDE events held on city property. Oh wait…did I say smoking? Sorry I meant smoking anything OTHER than Medical Marijuana. Yup those against tobacco love sucking marijuana smoke into their lungs.
“Event sponsors would be required to post “No Smoking” signs and make “No Smoking” announcements, but [the ordinance author Supervisor Eric] Mar said he does not foresee the city being able to actively enforcement this tobacco ban if it becomes law.”
So I guess this is another “feel good” ordinance. Nice to know San Francisco has all its other problems solved.
