New Cigars and a Law to Watch by Frank Seltzer
Now that the trade show is over, I am having a little time to go through some of the other cigars I did not have a chance to really look at. Charlie Torano has added to his Master line with the Master Habano Maduro. This remains a collaboration of Charlie and master roller Felipe Sosa. The cigar uses a Habano Nicaraguan Maduro wrapper over Habano Ecuador binder and Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers. It comes in a Robusto, Toro Grande and BFC (which is a 6” x 60). They will be prices from just under $6.47 to $7.80.
The other cigar from Torano is the Salutem. The name comes from Latin and means a friendly greeting. The company says the cigar and its name are “inspired by the character and strong will of those who overcome great challenges and adversity. Salutem represents a celebration of life and raises a toast to all who live life to the fullest.” Coming in four sizes, this medium bodied cigar sports a Hanabo Ecuador wrapper over binder from Jalapa and fillers of Cameroon, Dominican Corojo and tobacco from Esteli. Pricing will be from $7.20 to 8.76 for the BFC 6.125” x 60. You may ask what does BFC stand for? Torano is not saying but you can use your imagination…Big…
Miami Happening
If you happen to be in South Florida next weekend, you may want to check out the Fuente Havana Nights. Berta Bravo – the Guayabera Lady –is working with the Fuente family to put on a charity shindig which will benefit the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation. The event will be held on Saturday August 25th at Berta’s shop at 4832 S.W. 72nd Street in Miami. Tickets are $75. There will be food, free booze and Fuente cigars. Carlito, Cynthia and Liana Fuente will all be in attendance.
Health Risks of Cigar Smoking
We all know of the propaganda put out by the other side on the “risks” of cigar smoking. It is worse than cigarettes, they say. But this week, a blog linked to a study by the Kaiser foundation which falls in line with the National Cancer Monograph on Cigars. The monograph showed (much to their disappointment) that someone smoking 1-2 cigars a day had a risk of death either equal or below that of non smokers. One thing that you need to know is that a relative risk (RR) of less than 2 can be touchy –there may be something to look at or maybe not. Epidemiologists do not always agree.
The Kaiser study was divided into heavy smokers—more than 5 cigars a day—and moderate smokers 5 and under per day. The results showed little effect from cigars.
“Cigars, the data show, have few health effects when used in moderation. One of the reasons that cigar (and pipe) smokers have lower risks than cigarette smokers is that they puff without inhaling. In addition, they smoke less: 76 percent of cigar smokers in this study were in the moderate use group. Those who smoke even fewer cigars probably have lower risks. “
And they often include people who inhale cigars with those who don’t. That would make a difference. Bottom line, enjoy your cigar.
Buy Smokes, Become a Felon
Arizona has done it again. If you live there and happen to order a carton of cigarettes or some snus, without seeing the seller face to face, you could be a felon. Nice. The law went into effect on August 2, same day at the IPCPR was beginning its trade show in Florida. SB 1280 prevents the sale of tobacco products in any manner other than face to face. The law makes it a felony to violate and anyone who violates this could be liable for civil and CRIMINAL penalties along with fines and even cost incurred for prosecuting. They are doing this ostensibly to protect children from buying tobacco cause, as we know, kids buy cartons of cigarettes.
The law does carve out the exemption for cigars and pipe tobacco in one section but includes it in another to prevent minors from getting their hands on em. Watch this carefully because a change of just a few words could stop catalog cigar sales.
What is interesting is that Arizona is one of the few states where you can actually buy guns over the internet.
The other side ALWAYS takes whatever ban it can get and then keep nibbling at the edges until all tobacco sales and smoking are gone. This is a horrible law and needs to be challenged.
