Swisher Introduces New Swisher Sweets BLK Cigars

(CSP) The new Swisher Sweets BLK Pipe Tobacco Cigars are a fusion of hand-selected air- and fire-cured tobaccos that deliver a sweet taste and “scentsational” aroma unlike any cigar, anywhere.Available in Smooth & Cherry flavors, the new, BLK Pipe Tobacco Cigars are the perfect blend for the senses. They offer today’s customers all the quality and flavor that they have come to expect from pipe tobacco cigars, that made Swisher sweet. Continued

Russ Ouellette wins Balkan Sobranie Tobacco Throwdown

(APFP) A rousing standing ovation was accorded to Hearth and Home pipe tobacco blender, Russ Ouellette, when Balkan Sobranie Throwdown emcee Matt Guss revealed the Throwdown judges’ tally at the Chicagoland International Pipe and Tobacco Exposition last Saturday, May 14th at 6:00 PM.
The Balkan Sobranie Throwdown was a competition between three leading pipe tobacco blenders to determine who could most faithfully reproduce the fabled Balkan Sobranie 759, a blend that was discontinued in April of 1994 when Gallaher ceased making and marketing pipe tobaccos. Continued

The New Look of C.A.O. Cigars

(Cigar Aficionado) C.A.O. International Inc., once a smallish company headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, has been incorporated into the far larger General Cigar Co. as part of the merger between their parent companies, Scandinavian Tobacco Group and Swedish Match AB.
While many things remain the same at C.A.O., several changes have taken place behind the scenes.
Cigar Insider interviewed General Cigar president Dan Carr and new C.A.O. senior brand manager Ed McKenna about what is new, and what remains unchanged.
Production of some C.A.O. brands have been moved. Previously C.A.O. operated factories in Danlí, Honduras, and Estelí, Nicaragua, in factories known as STG Danlí and STG Estelí. Continued

Photo: Library of Congress

Gotham Cigar Museum Collection expected to light up Morphy's

(news-antique.com) A superb collection of early tobacciana will be smoking its way across the auction block on June 18 as Morphy’s presents a 900-lot Antique Advertising sale featuring the specialty collection of the Gotham Cigar Museum of Tampa, Florida.
“It’s amazing how many different types of cigar-related items are sought after by collectors. This premier collection traces to the early days of the cigar industry in America and includes everything from cigar boxes to hand-painted cases to beautiful die-cuts and figural advertising pieces,” said Dan Morphy, owner of Morphy Auctions.
In the 1990s, the owner of the featured collection became interested in the history of “clear” Havana cigars – those that were rolled in the United States in pre-embargo days (before 1963) using Cuban tobacco. “At one time, there were ten of thousands of factories, all over the country,” the collector said. “I began collecting remnants from days gone by and became interested in the actual history of clear Havana cigars, cigar boxes, cigar art and advertising.” Continued

A few more pictures from the old cigar factory

Here's some more pictures from the G.W. Van Slyke & Horton cigar factory

Jose Marti Park in "Cigar City"

(C-Span) Jose Marti Park in Tampa ("Cigar City").

Sweden wants to change the EU view on snus tobacco

(Stockholm News via Snus Authority) Next week, EU Ministers will meet to discuss how to change the tobacco directive.
The Swedish Minister for Trade Ewa Björling hopes to convince her colleagues that the present legislation is not logical. She claims the Swedish snus is less dangerous than for example Pakistani snus and French chewing tobacco which is already legal. Björling said to the Swedish radio: Continued

Zimbabwe Tobacco Industry to Climb to About 63,733 Farmers, Herald Reports

(Bloomberg) About 63,733 farmers may grow tobacco during Zimbabwe’s 2011-2012 farming season from about 53,065 this year, the state-controlled Herald said, citing a statement from the government’s Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board.
Most of the new growers of the leaves will farm on small- scale plots, the Harare-based Herald said. Continued

Tobacco growers plan stir from June 2

(Business Standard) Tobacco growers in Andhra Pradesh are planning to launch an agitation from June 2, seeking higher price. The agitation would start with hunger strike at auction platforms and tobacco companies in the state.
The growers, who met at the auction platform in Ongole, have expressed concern over the fall in tobacco price and alleged that the Tobacco Board and the Centre were siding with the traders. Continued

Cornering the Smokeless Tobacco Market

(CSD) Convenience store operators are enjoying the growing popularity of smokeless tobacco products, but they are also being forced to keep a wary eye on federal regulations from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that could strike the category at any time.
Retailers can be forgiven for feeling insecure. The changes to the way tobacco is marketed in the U.S. have been swift and decisive. Continued

Cuba: Economic Boom in Tobacco and Tourism

(Prensa Latina) The Cuban tourist industry today has a strong link with its gastronomy, especially to meet the needs of demanding tourists, experts on tourism issues said during a a workshop meeting for a monthly analysis.
Known as "Bayamanaco Balcony" (aboriginal name) or "Balcon del Habano", every month a group of tourism experts have a meeting to discuss the most important trends, especially taking into account higher-income travelers and the link to cigars. Continued

Anatomy of a favorite cigar

(Gary Korb) As a "professional cigar smoker," I'm often asked, of all the cigars I've smoked, which one is my favorite. I don't really have a specific favorite, I have a lot of favorites. Perhaps you can relate. Moreover, we tend to choose cigars based on our mood or situation.
You may have a favorite cigar to smoke with coffee, or scotch, Port, etc., after-dinner, on weekends, special occasions...you get the idea. So, whether you have several favorites, or one that stands head & shoulders above the rest, let's examine how those cigars usually became favorites. Continued

Sam Leccia Returning to Cigar Business

(Cigar Aficionado) Sam Leccia, long the face in NUb and Cain cigar ads, has returned to the premium cigar business. Leccia has created the Sam Leccia Cigar Co., and its first smoke, known as Debut, will be on display at the July IPCPR. Continued

A last visit to the G.W. Van Slyke & Horton cigar factory

I took a ride up to Red Lion yesterday to visit the last cigar factory in town before it was to be auctioned off, later that day. The place was a real museum piece, covering decade upon decade of cigar history. The local papers called it "the end of an era," though, in reality, the era had passed long ago. Van Slyke was an anachronism, selling grandpa cigars until it ran out of grandpas. I don't think they'd rolled out a new product in my lifetime, there was no web presence, not even an email address, distribution was, at least around here, sparse. It's too bad, and even though I'm not a grandpa, I liked their cigars. Here's some pictures of the place. I'll try and post a few more soon.

See also: A few more pictures from the old cigar factory

British American Tobacco - collaborative effort sees more responsible growing

(guardian.co.uk) Tobacco leaf farming in Lombok, Indonesia, was not only contributing to deforestation but also to declining water supply on the island.
But a landmark restoration project is being developed which will benefit the whole rural community, thanks to a partnership between British American Tobacco (BAT), the Earthwatch Institute, Fauna & Flora International and the Tropical Biology Association.
This is one example of how the four-member British American Tobacco biodiversity partnership is working with stakeholders and communities across the world to study ecosystems and sustainability risks. Continued

Guillermo León Buys La Aurora Cigars

(Cigar Aficionado) Guillermo León has acquired La Aurora S.A. from E. León Jimenes, the family run company that has owned Aurora since 1903. León, who has spent 15 years running the company's cigar division, completed the purchase this week. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Continued

Graycliff Cigar Company Appoints Torano Family Cigar Company as Official Distributor in USA

(PRNewswire) The Graycliff Cigar Company and the Torano Family Cigar Company are proud to announce that Graycliff has officially appointed the Torano Family Cigar Company as its exclusive distributor in the U.S.A. as of June 1, 2011.
"After many years of doing our own distribution, we decided that it was best if we partnered with Torano to handle that part of our business, so we could focus on the production side," said Paolo Garzaroli, President of the Graycliff Cigar Company. "We chose Torano for the similarity in our family values and because our respective cigar brands will complement each other very well." Continued

Cigar shop to open Friday in Downtown El Paso

(El Paso Times) Teresa Jones and her husband came to El Paso in March to visit and to inquire about taking classes at the University of Texas at El Paso.
She immediately fell in love with the city, the people, the Downtown district and the culture. ... On Friday, she will host the grand opening of her shop, Exclusive Cigars, in the Downtown district. Continued

British American Tobacco buys Colombia's Protabaco

(MarketWatch) British American Tobacco PLC (BATS.LN)Thursday said it has bought Colombia's second-largest cigarette company by sales and market share, Productora Tabacalera de Colombia SAS, or Protabaco, for $452 million, filling a strategic gap in its operations in Latin America.
The acquisition will enlarge BAT's presence in the country, which is Latin America's fourth largest cigarette market which had total industry sales of around 17 billion cigarettes last year. Continued

Frequent rain keeps tobacco growers from fields in Dan River Region

(goDanRiver.com) May rainfall in Danville has been more than two inches above normal for the month and the extra precipitation is impacting the region’s farmers.
The Danville area has been hit with 5.28 inches of rain this month, said Will Perry, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Blacksburg.
The frequent downpours are affecting the region’s farmers, especially tobacco growers, said Stephen Barts, extension agent with the Virginia Cooperative Extension in Pittsylvania County. Continued

How to Prepare Cake Tobacco

(Bob Tate) ... Cake is another form that tobacco blends sometimes come in. They are sometimes spelled with a ‘K’ such as Kake or Krumble Kake. Cakes are made similarly to plugs as they are both pressed to form the cake or plug. But unlike plug tobaccos that use large pieces of tobacco leaf which are layered and pressed together, cakes and crumble cakes use tobaccos that have already been cut and blended into a mixture. The mixture is then pressed into a cake. Continued

Photo: Colonel Frederick Benteen of the 7th Cavalry (Library of Congress).

Cigar maker Jose Oliva wins Florida House District 110

(MiamiHerald.com) The owner of a cigar manufacturing business beat other Republican candidates to represent House District 110, which includes Hialeah and Miami Lakes. Hialeah businessman Jose Oliva beat two other Republicans to fill a vacant seat in the Florida House in Tuesday’s special election.
... Nasty ads funded by third-party electioneering groups marked the final weeks of the heated contest. ...Citizens for a Reality Check — sent a mailer blasting Oliva as a Sandinista sympathizer because his family business grows tobacco in Nicaragua. Continued

Notice for G.W. Van Slyke and Horton Tobacco company

STEVE FARMER
Auctioneering & Appraisal Co.
(717) 244-4867 or (717) 880-9294, License # 2438L

* * ON SITE AUCTION * *
G. W. VAN SLYKE & HORTON, INC.
49 South Pine Street, Red Lion, PA

With Over 100 Years & Shipping All Over World…
The Last Operating Cigar Manufacturer in Red Lion is Shutting the Doors & AUCTIONING Off the Remaining Inventory. also, Items From T.E. Brooks!!!!!

THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2011, 10 AM
DOORS OPEN AT 8 AM

* * ITEMS FOR SALE * *
The Success Tobacco Machine NO 8 by B.F. Strickler Co. Benroy, PA; Complete Hand Rolling Table W/ Cutters; Lg. Selection of Cigar Boxes (4000 reg. & 450 Wooden); 1600 Wooden Cigar Trunks; 100's of Wooden Cigar Trays; 75 Wooden Crook Molds; 1000's of Cigar Bands; Couple 1000 Assorted Labels; Assortment of Wooden Cigar Molds; Printer Blocks; Shipping Stamps; Scales; Signs; Cash Register; York Floor Safe; File Cabinets; Desks and Other Misc. Items.....

AUCTIONEER’s NOTES & TERMS OF SALE
Large Items must be removed from the site within 1 week by appointment only. There is a 10% Buyer’s Premium plus, NO Sales Tax on all merchandise. Cash, Checks & Major Credit Cards accepted - Photo ID required.

Link

Photos

Also: Last Red Lion cigar factory closes for good - York Dispatch

W. Curtis Draper Tobacconist Announces Move of Flagship Store

W. Curtis Draper Tobacconist, the District’s oldest full-service tobacconist, today announced it is moving it’s flagship store from 640 14th Street NW one block west to the corner of 15th Street and G Street NW. Drapers will be occupying a portion of what is now the White House Gift Shop, which will consolidate into a smaller storefront (The official address is to be announced). Owners John Anderson and Matt Krimm anticipate an August 2011 opening. ... W. Curtis Draper Tobacconist (Drapers) was founded in 1887 by William Curtis Draper. It is the oldest full service tobacconist in the District of Columbia and the third oldest in the United States. Continued

General Cigar Rolls Back Prices of Macanudo 1968

(Smokemag) Richmond, Virginia-based General Cigar Company has announced that it is reducing the price of all Macanudo 1968 cigars, representing an average price savings of more than $3.33 per cigar, and an average cost savings of more than $32.00 per box.
The new pricing of Macanudo 1968, which was introduced in 2008 marking 40 years since Ramón Cifuentes first began developing the original Macanudo blend, is currently being made available exclusively at brick and mortar retailers across the U.S. Continued

A New York City Park Where Lighting Up Is Still Lawful

(WNYC) The city’s public park smoking ban went into effect Monday, but there's one park in the city where the smell of smoke is still celebrated.
On the 44th anniversary of Paley Park in Midtown, the heir to the Paley cigar company, Bill Paley, invited fellow tobacco enthusiasts for a smoke in the fine-free zone insde the park created by his father. Dozens of smokers from across the city stopped by for a puff in the tobacco oasis. Continued

Zimbabwe Tobacco Farmers Bemoan Poor Prices

(allAfrica.com) TOBACCO farmers are disgruntled over the prices being offered at the auction floors and are urging government to urgently intervene on the issue.
This year, the number of registered tobacco growers surged to 60 000 against last year's figure of less than 15 000 farmers owing to the profitable returns that the crop has been known to offer.
Zimbabwe Progressive Tobacco Farmers Union President Nicholas Kapungu said prevailing prices at the floors were only serving to deter new farmers from growing the golden leaf next season. Continued

Foundation Room’s Cigar Patio

(Atlantic City Central) The Foundation Room has been earning rave reviews since it is no longer just an exclusive “member’s club” but is open to the public on some days. The Foundation Room has announced that it will be introducing a premium cigar menu.
The Foundation Room has altered its outside deck and patio to serve as a cigar haven. Guests can still dine in this one-of-a-kind-setting, but now have the option of watching the serenity of the Atlantic waters all the while enjoying the robust flavors of a high-end cigar. Continued

Oden’s Extreme Portion Snus Review

(Snus Authority) Oden’s Extreme is a newly released snus from GN Tobacco which packs quite a punch. At 22mg of nicotine per gram of snus, Oden’s extreme is by far the brand of snus with the highest nicotine content.
Upon receiving a few cans to try, I was both excited and a little worried. I generally tend to use regular and strong portion snus, so I’m not used to such large quantities of nicotine at one, however I do enjoy having both Thunder Coola and Skruf Xtra Stark on occasion. Continued

Has the Crook Cigar Gone Extinct?

With the recent closing of the GW Van Slyke & Horton cigar factory in Red Lion, Pennsylvania, the crook cigar seems to have gone extinct. Crook cigars, says the Cigar History Museum, are a "type of cigar which, after being made, is pressed in moulds to take on a rectangular cross section with a double bend in the middle. Almost always sweetened with various sugars and/or liquors. Most popular in the 1950's, a beginner's cigar for many smokers, the style can be traced back as far as 1900 with certainty (probably earlier)."
According to Patricia A. Cooper, the crook cigar originated in Red Lion, so it seems appropriate that a Red Lion factory was the last to make them. The second to the last company to make them was House of Windsor, which was right up the road from Red Lion, but they sold out a few years ago and, after a brief revival, disappeared entirely. House of Windsor's brand was called Wolf Brothers. They also made a small cigar called a "crookette." While there are plenty of rum flavored cigars left, none of them have that crooked bend in them, which seems a shame as a lot of people appear to still like them, if internet chatter is any indication.
Rum Crooks started out as a five cent cigar and never aspired to anything grander, but they were a good smoke, something you'd grab at the gas station while waiting for a tire to be changed, or to fill your vest pockets with, before a fishing trip. Some people smoked the lowly crooks exclusively - and happily - for decades. I never liked them enough to make them my only smoke, but I always liked to keep some on hand, occasionally passing over cigars that cost ten times as much, just for the sheer pleasure of the things. The demise of GW Van Slyke & Horton leaves us with only a handful of old-time American cigar makers still in operation: F. X. Smith, Finck, Avanti, and National Cigar are about the only one's left.

Snus focus of yearlong study

(Winston-Salem Journal) A University of South Carolina researcher is preparing to answer two questions with widespread implications for the tobacco industry and public-health community.
Can a smokeless product, in this instance Camel Snus, contribute to a smoker quitting cigarettes — particularly one who doesn't want to stop?
If it does, could an increase in use of smokeless-tobacco products over cigarettes cause a net harm to the population? Continued

Last Remaining Red Lion Cigar Factory Closes After 100 Years

(WPMT) Joe Jacob's father bought JW Winter's Cigar Factory in Red Lion in the 1960's.
Since than it's been under the name GW Van Slyke & Horton and produced quality cigars and chewing tobacco for nearly a half century. But the last remaining cigar factory is about to shut its doors. Continued

Vintage Cuban Cigars and NIVEL ACUSO

(Cigar Aficionado) ... Today, cigars in Cuba have easy-to-read dates on their boxes, but in those days, the dates were coded with a system known as NIVEL ACUSO. We broke that code in the February 1996 issue of Cigar Insider (and boy, were the folks at Habanos mad, but that's another story). That code is no longer used, but if you happen to stumble across some old Cuban boxes it's good to know, so I'll repeat it here.

NIVEL ACUSO
12345 67890

Continued

2011 U.S. National Slow Smoking Championships

(P*p*s Magazine) ... The last person smoking is the winner and declared the U.S. Champion. This year’s winner was Mike “Doc” Garr with a smoking time of 1-hour, 20-minutes and 22-seconds. Mike will be representing the U.S.A. at the World Cup competition which will be held in the Netherlands in October. Continued

R.J. Reynolds Launches Major Ad Campaign for Camel SNUS

(NACS) R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company is launching a major ad campaign for Camel SNUS. Print ads touting Camel SNUS will appear in major daily newspapers, including The Wall Street Journal and USA Today, next week.
The timing of the campaign coincides with New York City’s expansion of its smoking ban, which officially begins May 23. Continued

Is smoking back in fashion?

(Periscope Post) They come in matte black boxes, and gold foil. There are no health warnings or off-putting photos on the packets, just the golden embossed words Yves Saint Laurent, and the YSL logo. These sleekly packaged cigarettes have been around since 1989, but a new advertising campaign has drawn fresh attention to them. Continued

Photo: Wikipedia

Zimbabwe Raises This Season’s Tobacco Crop Forecast 33%

(Bloomberg) Zimbabwe raised this season’s tobacco crop estimate by 33 percent, the Zimbabwe Independent reported, citing documents from the Ministry of Finance and the Tobacco Marketing and Industry Board, which regulates the industry.
The southern African nation may produce 200 million kilograms (440 million pounds) of the leaf, up from a previous forecast of 150 million kilograms and ahead of last season’s 123.5 million kilograms, the Harare-based newspaper said. Continued

Farmers ask govt to review tobacco prices

PESHAWAR (thenews.com.pk) Different associations of farmers Thursday asked the government to review tobacco prices and fix new rates after consultation with representatives of growers.
Addressing a press conference here, President of Anjuman-e-Kashtkaran Abdul Haleem Khan said that the tobacco prices were low and unacceptable to the growers. He said the cost of production had increased from 0.25 to five per cent.
“The cost of tobacco crop has increased manifold after the surge in the prices of fertilisers and seeds and different direct and indirect taxes,” he added. Continued

Titanic captain Edward Smith's cigar box sells for £25,000

(Liverpool Echo) A CIGAR box once owned by the captain of doomed passenger liner Titanic sold for £25,000 at a Liverpool auction.
The antique walnut humidor was found earlier this month sitting on a Merseyside woman’s bedside cabinet.
It was identified as once belonging to Captain Edward Smith, who was at the helm of the ill-fated White Star Line vessel as she sunk with 1,517 people onboard in 1912. Continued

Davidoff Adds Toro to Puro d'Oro Cigar Line

(Cigar Aficionado) Davidoff's Puro d'Oro line has received a new size: the Eminentes. The 6 1/4 inch by 52 ring gauge Toro becomes the largest size in the series, and it's the first addition to the brand since it was released last year.
The Toro, which retails for $18.50 per cigar, comes in 4-packs or in boxes of 25. Each cigar is adorned with a gold foot band and a pigtail cap. Continued

Ettan Snuff US Trials - a Natural Moist Snuff from Swedish Match

(SnusCentral) On May 2nd 2011, Swedish Match US introduced a new natural flavor moist snuff into select US cities: Ettan Snuff. Ettan Snuff joins Redman, Longhorn and Timberwolf in Swedish Match's American offerings of moist snuff and chewing tobacco. I recently spoke at length with Joe Ackerman; Director of US Smokefree Products - Swedish Match US, about the Ettan Snuff pilot project. Continued

Nat Sherman Debuts Exclusive Globe-Trotter Cigar Humidor

(smokemag.com) To honor its 80th Anniversary, New York’s Nat Sherman Tobacconist has debuted an exclusive humidor designed by England’s Globe-Trotter — the very first humidor in Trotter’s storied 114-year-old history produced luxury cases. A total of 25 humidors will be hitting Nat Sherman's flagship store this week for a limited time only. Each case features an individually-numbered commemorative plaque. Continued

Bartow's historic Cigar Factory is being listed among Florida's 11 most endangered historical sites

BARTOW, Fla. (WFTS) The old cigar factory in Bartow is becoming one of the 11 most endangered historical sites in all of Florida for 2011. ... The 85-year-old cigar factory was the corner stone of Bartow back in the 1920s. It was the city's top employer and cranked out 60-thousand cigars a day. Continued

Disease chokes cloves' supply line, prices inflate

(thehindubusinessline.com) A sharp fall in Indonesian cloves output due to an unknown disease has aggravated the supply situation, skyrocketing prices in Indian and international markets.
The disease has reportedly destroyed trees in the major growing areas of Manado and Java — which contribute 80 per cent of cloves' production in the major producing country.
As the gestation period for cloves is five to seven years to bear fruit, Indonesia is likely to have small crop for the next few years. As a result, the local cigar companies will have to buy cloves from other origins. Continued

Photo: Zanzibar. Bags of cloves for exportation, 1936 (Library of Congress).

Can a Vintage Cigar Box be a Work of Art?

(Cigar Box Label Blog) Art is defined as the creation of something beautiful that affects the senses, mind, intellect and even the soul. Cigar Box Labels posses all four of these qualities so why shouldn’t we consider it a true work of art? There seems to be something missing like; who is the artist? Is it a single piece of creation or reproduction? This is where things get a little fuzzy. Continued

Photo: True Americans / lith. by Louis E. Neuman & Co., N.Y., circa 1885 (Library of Congress).

Examiner requests auction in Phelps (Renegade Tobacco) case

(Winston-Salem Journal) The bankruptcy examiner for three Davie County tobacco manufacturers is requesting permission to sell six properties that are estimated to be worth a combined $1.75 million.
Gene Tarr submitted the request Friday with the consent of Calvin Phelps, the owner of the three manufacturers — Renegade Holdings Inc., Alternative Brands Inc. and Renegade Tobacco Co. — and his wife, Lisa Yamaoka Phelps. Lisa Phelps' name is on two of the properties.
If William Stocks, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge, approves the request, an auction by Iron Horse Auction Co. tentatively would be held June 9 at 6 p.m. at a public venue close to the properties. Continued

C.A.O. La Traviata Maduro Cigar Brand Expanded

(Cigar Aficionado) The C.A.O. La Traviata Maduro brand will soon have a pair of new sizes.
C.A.O. is introducing a pair of cigars to its La Traviata Maduro line: The La Traviata Maduro Favorito (a robusto measuring 5 1/2 inches by 52 ring) and Animado (a lonsdale measuring 5 5/8 by 46) are slated to reach cigar stores by the end of this month. Continued

Tobacco Sheds Disappearing From the Landscape

(Patch) When you think of the Simsbury landscape what do you think of? Does it include tobacco sheds? In an effort to preserve that scene, the board of selectmen has given the green light for the town to seek grants to preserve the shed on the "triangle" on Firetown Road. Continued

Nick & Johnny Crushed Ice Snus Review

(Snus Authority) Having enjoyed Nick & Johnny Black snus a great deal, I was eager to try another variant of the Nick & Johnny lineup. Manufactured by Swedish Match, Nick & Johnny Crushed Ice is billed as being an “xtra strong” mint snus, packing 15mg of nicotine per portion of snus. Continued

“Give Me Your … Cigar!”

(kivitv.com) Boise Police are searching for the suspect in a rather unusual robbery that reportedly occurred Monday night on the sidewalk of the Capitol Blvd. bridge. ... The suspect demanded the cigar the victim was smoking. Continued

Alec Bradley's New 6x60 Cigar

(Cigar Aficionado) Six inch long, 60 ring gauge cigars are among the hottest on the American market. Alec Bradley Cigar Co. is adding a 6 by 60 to its highly rated Alec Bradley Family Blend line.
The Alec Bradley GS57 will ship to cigar stores later this week. Made at the Fabrica de Tabacos Raices Cubanas S. de R.L. factory in Honduras, the smoke is made up of a medium-bodied blend of Honduran, Nicaraguan and Indonesian tobaccos. Continued

Don Francisco Cigars

(Patch) The first thing that hits you is the smell of deep, rich tobacco coming from stacks of the dried leaf that surround three tables near the entrance to Don Francisco Cigars on Route 18.
The second thing you notice are the three gentlemen sitting behind those tables rolling cigars by hand. Each has a task and when done, the hand rolled Don Francisco cigars bear a special label, and a special place, in the heart of owner Lew Glogower. Continued

Altria announces price increases on moist smokeless tobacco products

(CSP) In the next few days, many moist smokeless tobacco (MST) customers will be seeing increased prices on the brands they use.
Altria Group Inc. told wholesalers last week that its U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. is taking prices up 10 cents per can on Copenhagen, Skoal, Cope, Husky and Red Seal MST products.
Increases will also affect the company's snus products ... Continued

Smigiel: I'll float a bill to legalize cigar shipments

(Baltimore Sun) Now that consumer shipments of premium cigars have apparently been outlawed by the 2010 General Assembly, Del. Mike Smigiel says he'll introduce a bill in this fall's special session to make them legit again.
"The comptroller's office told me they had 300 complaints already," says Smigiel, a Republican representing Cecil, Caroline, Kent and Queen Anne's counties. "I have every indication from the comptroller's office" that they'll support a change making shipments of premium cigars (often defined as more than $2 apiece) OK for Web and catalog vendors. Continued

Photo: "The brighter side of Hell. The anti-tobacco crank jumping through smoke rings" by Oliver Herford, circa 1917 (Library of Congress).