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A bluntly-worked initiative passed by voters in 2005 banned smoking in smokeshops as well as bars, restaurants and other locations. Now, the Cigar Association of Washington has mobilized to try to get an initiative on the November ballot that will permit smoking in cigar shops and cigar bars. “Smokers and non-smokers alike should sign our petition and vote ‘yes’ on November 8 because we are only asking for the right to allow smoking in relatively few locations, without changing the ban elsewhere,” said Rain City Cigar tobacconist Dale Taylor, who also serves as president of the state association. Initiative 1016, as the proposed measure is known, would allow cigar shops, cigar bars and private clubs to allow smoking if they choose to do so. “These exemptions exist in most other states and we believe it is reasonable to request voters to allow them in Washington as well,” said Taylor. The proposed statute defines cigar bars as facilities with minimal food service and on-site sales of cigars of more than $25,000 annually. In order to get the measure on the ballot, a total of 225,000 signatures must be collected by June 30. Petitions are available in cigar stores, former cigar bars, private clubs such as the American Legion and Eagles and online at the Cigar Association of Washington Web site. Imperial takes charge relating to Altadis integration: As Imperial Tobacco works to integrate the operations of newly-acquired Altadis, S.A. into its existing structure, the company released a statement that it will take a charge of about $281 million in the current fiscal year. The costs are related to valuation of inventory, elimination of inter-company sales and depreciation adjustments. Imperial noted, however, that its forecast of cost efficiencies of $473 million by 2010 is still valid. Imperial also confirmed – to no one’s surprise – that it will continue marketing Havana cigars worldwide through its 50 percent ownership (via Altadis) of the Corporacion Habanos distribution firm. Comments by chief executive Gareth Davis also included a mention that the economic slowdown in the U.S. could cause a “slight” downtown for Altadis U.S.A.’s premium segment sales this year. Imperial also plans to begin offering its hot-selling Davidoff cigarette line in the U.S. in the coming weeks. Possible breakthrough in engineering tobacco reported: Researchers at North Carolina State University announced a breakthrough in the genetic modification of burley tobacco – used in cigarettes, pipe tobaccos and smokeless tobacco products – which could cut potential carcinogens in half. The project demonstrated the possibilities for changing the chemical reaction which changes nicotine – a naturally-occurring element in tobacco – into agents which have been implicated in the creation of cancers. Such research is noteworthy as smoking bans are almost wholly based on the projected health impacts of cigarettes. To the extent that cigarettes become less of a health threat – one of the goals of the NCSU research – it may be possible in the future to break down the underlying governmental public health interest which underpins the restrictions that also prohibit cigar smoking. ~ Rich Perelman CLASSIFIED ADVERTISINGCigar Humidors and Cigar Accessories at Humidor Vault! Your online cigar humidor source, with rock-bottom pricing and fantastic customer support!Like sports? Get news and commentary you won’t see in your morning newspaper at TheSportsExaminer.com! Join the examination! A limited amount of classified advertising is available in this space on a weekly basis. For details, call Pat Harris at (213) 365-7965 or inquire by email by clicking here. Have an opinion? You can send it using the “Comment” button below! Don’t forget to register for our drawing for free cigars and accessories! Just click on the “Register & Win” button above; enter today! Looking for a cigar party? Take a look at our exclusive list of hundreds of cigar events across the country, listed by state and date, only on CigarCyclopedia.com!
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Did you know?
“A Macanudo Baron de Rothschild cost you $2.60 in 1975, $3.70 in 1995 and $5.20 in 2005, a 100% increase in 30 years!
