The Tobacco Smokescreen: Distracting Bigotry

In NYC we are now fighting the prohibition of all flavored tobaccos; plus the threat of banning smoking outdoors in parks and beaches so 'children won't have to see smokers'. Meanwhile, taxation, smoking bans, and de-normalization of smokers continues to increase. Yet, we learned this year that the use of anti-depressants has doubled over the last decade and will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. Furthermore, you can walk into any convenience store, supermarket, or 'nutritional center' and buy yourself amphetamine-like drinks and diet pills, erectile aids, and five hour energy shots. Plus, I just read that the new 'hot' product on the market is caffeine laced meat!

Politicians and legislators are beating up on the tobacco industry and the people and businesses suffering the most are retail tobacconists and luxury tobacco aficionados. Yet, 'feel-good' prohibitions, taxation, and restrictions continue to be passed by local, state, and federal agencies. Meanwhile, the substantive problems of the world seem to go unaddressed. At this point, even cigarette smokers are more than paying for any societal costs associated with their pleasures, yet the government is milking them to pay for childrens' health-care - this is happening because the societal perception that cigarette smokers (or all smokers) are "filthy" or "dirty" people with a "disgusting" habit. Well, as long as our government chooses to stigmatize and punish unpopular people, I can guarantee that nothing positive or substantive will ever get done. Consumers of alcohol and fat people beware! This will not stop until we stand up and help minorities protect their choices/pleasures/freedoms, even if they are not the freedoms that we choose to exercise.

"You can only be free if I am free."
- Clarence Darrow

The Worst Freedom is OK

As a retail tobacconist I have paid half a dozen floor taxes and tax increases this year alone. The campaign against all smokers is in full effect around the globe while smoking bans (both indoor and outdoor), de-normalization, perpetual and unreasonable tax increases, continue to usurp our freedoms. But the hallmark of 2009 is the prohibitions that have been put into place by the FDA (banning flavored cigarettes) and now NYC banning ALL flavored tobacco; again, under the intellectually bankrupt logic that these products are 'attractive to children' - even though it is illegal to sell these products to children.

Today Dr. Michael Siegel, a famous anti-smoking advocate, wrote in his blog "the anti-smoking movement is very much a religious-like one and that it is based largely on ideology rather than science." Now we should be able to see things clearly; smokerism and the relentless taxation is not based on science, but rather bigotry. And smokers, along with other freedom loving people, have been saying for years that the health police/nanny state will come after soda pop, obese people, and alcohol soon enough. Well, soon enough is already here!!! Taxes and bans on fatty foods are becoming prevalent while European cities have started to ban happy hours!

Behaviour and pleasure control has never been about health, because happiness cannot be measured in years or numbers. As a society we must accept that cigarette smoking is the absolute worst personal freedom and then move on. It's OK; there will always be a WORST Freedom. But, the key to living in free and democratic societies is to preserve freedoms, not constantly whittle away at them. Today, smokers pay more than their fair share of the 'societal' (health care) costs associated with smoking; they are not a burden to non-smokers. So it must be time to leave them alone. Otherwise, our government is just punishing people who they do not like and that is reprehensible. At this point, it will be up to non-smokers to stand up and say "Enough Is Enough". Even the worst freedom is OK, now lets get on with our lives!

"You can only be free if I am free."
- Clarence Darrow

Tobacco Prohibition 2.0: Banning Flavor

Today, the New York City city council voted 46 to 1 to ban/prohibit flavored tobacco products. The ban does not include Menthol or Mint, like the FDA 'Protect Your Family from Smokers' bill, and it does not ban flavored pipe tobaccos - yet.

All of this is happening in the same city where the nanny-minded mayor changed the law so he could stay for a third term in office, banned indoor smoking, and is now trying to ban outdoor smoking in parks and beaches - because 'children should not have to see smokers'.

Where are all of the infuriated people? Where are Americans who value freedom? Individual Rights? And not just the rights you use, but all individuals' rights?

Within thirty minutes of this news breaking, I have witnessed emails, facebook, and twitter messages from industry members and not one of those messages had anything to do with the usurpation of our freedoms. Topics did include: tonight's featured bottle of wine to drink at home; something about farmville; a note about splurging on a ribeye steak because it's 'hump day'; a bejeweled score; what you are watching on TV or the internet; what you are smoking; what you are wearing for Halloween; what game you are watching tonight; who you are rooting for; and something about a golf tournament.

Sadly, many NYC tobacconists did not find out about the vote until the day before; so some of us are being rail-roaded and disenfranchised by the system. But, the real problem is our own apathy and lethargy. Where is the anger? The vote was 46 to 1!

These prohibitions started with the FDA justifying a ban of cigarettes that have a 'characterizing' flavor that 'can be attractive to children'. Yet this is the most bankrupt and illogical justification because IT IS ILLEGAL TO SELL TOBACCO TO CHILDREN. So that should be the focus - stop sales of tobacco to underage children! It's not rocket science; you don't have to be a genius to figure it out. The prohibition of products that are 'attractive to children' is the most insipid legislative trend I have ever seen in my lifetime; it is as bad as McCarthyism, Racism, anti-Semitism, and any other 'ism' which is based on an ideology of hatred and bigotry.

One hundred years ago men congregated in bars, pubs, and clubs to discuss matters of the day... at the time, most of them smoked. Yet today, we are not allowed to congregate, smoke, and talk in the same place - except for the rare retail tobacconist. And now the walls are crumbling around us.... The guiding principle behind the founding of America was 'the individual pursuit of happiness'.... so it was. What is the guiding principle behind America today?

Unfortunately, the path to freedom is wrought with challenges and sacrifice. For starters, sign The Tobacconist Preservation Act, join the CRA, get Certified, and finally, get your head out of your arse and take half of the time you spend watching TV, sports, or shopping for crap, and start fighting for your freedoms. Otherwise, all that is worth living for, the simple human pleasures, will be lost.

NJ Freedom Fighting

I just sent out the following letter to Governor Corzine here in New Jersey. Thanks to the diligent efforts of Ruth and Burton Weiss of Greentree Tobacco Company, the Governor's office has become interested in how the SCHIP legislation will ruin their tax base. As most 'normal' people (non-legislators) understand, the demand for premium pipe tobaccos and cigars is elastic, and the absurd taxation proposals included in SCHIP will decimate our profession and industry.




Dear Governor Corzine:

I am writing this letter in response to the current State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) legislation which includes astronomical tax increases which will devastate the retail Tobacconist profession in New Jersey and throughout our country. Consequently, hundreds of thousands of jobs are also at stake in Central America and the Caribbean.

As the founder and president of A Little Taste of Cuba in Princeton, New Jersey, I can tell you that any significant tax increase will put us out of business. While we pay hundreds of thousands of dollars a year in taxes, we also employ eight individuals and provide health insurance for half of them. As Certified Tobacconists we are experts in luxury organoleptic products which are used in moderation by people savoring their time. Premium and luxury cigars and pipe tobaccos are delicacies which take years to produce and are touched by artisans’ hands several hundred times before they ever reach the consumer. As Tobacconists, we are honorable professionals who take pride in enhancing the quality of our customers’ lives and carrying on traditions that enrich our culture.

Please do not support SCHIP in its current form, as it will unduly punish and obliterate an entire industry and tax base. Please insist on alternative and more stable forms of revenue which will not result in adverse consequences and a decrease in tax revenues for the state.

Our entire industry is fighting this brutal tax on every level. Not a day goes by that I am not on the phone, writing letters and/or emails to combat this oppressive mistake. We are fighting in Central America and the Caribbean through diplomats, embassies, and the State Department. We are fighting through our local, state, and federal legislators as well. We have hired lobbyists, attorneys, and experts to help us all. But the biggest impact will be made by consumers who write letters, faxes, email and contact their representatives in government. Please get up off your rump and fight for your rights! Or there won't be a 'next time'.

Up In Smoke? part 1

Today was a strange Monday, to say the least. We made the front page of the world renowned Trenton Times, for all of the wrong reasons, as usual. Once again, A Little Taste of Cuba is the poster-child for beleaguered Tobacconists. Why can't someone do an article on Tobacconists for being world-class retailers or bastions of freedom in a shrinking landscape? Frankly, I am grateful that someone has taken notice that the newly proposed federal tobacco tax increase will do more damage than good. I hope this is just the beginning.

Some highlights in our manager's own words:

- "The tax can be so severe that it will backfire"

- 'It is unfair to tie the federal program to a particular group'

And one of our customers put it best:

- "I love the children", but "They can do that because there's not a lot of people who smoke cigars" - obviously he opposes...

And another retailer said:

- "It's a free country, why do they focus on just smokers?"

More Cigar Taxes

There was a flurry of activity in the cigar industry this week with the announcement of a 20,000% tax hike which just passed the Senate Finance Committee. The President said he will veto this bill so we may survive in the short-term; but what happens next time they try?

I was amazed at how many cigar companies were mobilized and sent out emails. I have never seen such an impressive effort by so many producers and distributors in the industry. I certainly did not see it on the state level when taxes went to 48% in New Jersey, nor do I think any Tobacconist has ever seen our vendors react so proactively. It's a shame. If they had supported and defended retailers when our taxes went up, maybe our Congressman and Senators would know better than to continue to punish this great industry. Instead, our elected officials in Washington think it is reasonable to punish the cigar industry in the same way they do cigarettes.

Retail Tobacconists are the infantry of the luxury tobacco business and they must be supplied and reinforced. The only way to preserve the luxury tobacco industry is to support Retail Tobacconists. The only way to preserve the luxury tobacco industry is to support Retail Tobacconists. The only way to preserve the luxury tobacco industry is to support Retail Tobacconists. Yes, I actually wrote that 3 times; it is worth repeating.