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Page 1 of 2  Plus: A rare and expensive humidor lands in VancouverLos Angeles, June 5 – There are an estimated 3.5 million premium cigar smokers in the United States, the largest cigar market in the world. If brought together as a political force, such a group would offer a powerful voice against unnecessary regulations and restrictions primarily aimed at cigarettes. But up to now, no consumer cigar organization exists, but this is changing. Some 20 cigar manufacturers and distributors have joined forces with an elite retail advisory board to form Cigar Rights of America (“CRA”), with a goal to protect the rights of cigar smokers nationwide. Although the challenge in organizing cigar smokers – a notoriously independent bunch – is severe, the CRA is launching its Web site this week at CigarRights.org (still under construction) and hoping to begin registering smokers for membership for one to four years at a cost of $35 per year (one year), $60 for two years, $85 for three years or $125 for four years. CRA organizers have noted that the membership fee is not a bargain cigar buy or a cheap way to get a lot of “cigar stuff”; in fact, very little in the way of premiums is planned at the outset. It’s a serious attempt to create an organization which can respond to what a CRA news release calls the “overzealous, anti-smoking movement” whose goal is “nothing short of the complete prohibition of tobacco.” Founding cigar company members include Arturo Fuente Cigars, Ashton Distributors, C.A.O., Camacho Cigar Co., Corona Cigar Co., Domrey Cigars (makers of Cusano), Davidoff of Geneva, Drew Estate Cigar Co., General Cigar, God of Fire, Humidipak, J.C. Newman Cigar Co., La Aurora, La Flor Dominicana, Tabacalera Perdomo, Oliva Cigar Co., Padron Cigars, Prometheus, Rocky Patel Premium Cigar Co. and Thompson Cigar Co. A CRA promotional tour to leading retail shops with several star cigar makers is planned for August to help spread awareness and sign up new members, beginning in New York on August 19. A special set of limited-edition cigars will be offered at about that time to commemorate the founding of the organization. If a viable cigar consumers group could be organized, it could be a powerful force. Consider that the International Brotherhood of Teamsters comprises 1.4 million members and that the UAW (auto workers) has 640,000 active members. Both pack substantial political punch; a large cigar-smokers union could also offer a voice that can impact local, regional and national legislation concerning cigar smoking venues, taxation and regulation. IPCPR also looking to form “Friends of the Industry” A letter from the International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR, formerly RTDA) was circulated on Tuesday which outlined the association’s own plans to create a grass-roots organization to “greatly expand our ‘voice’ to legislators at the state and national levels as they consider anti-tobacco legislation regarding smoking bans of and new taxes on premium, handmade cigars and pipe tobacco. |
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Did you know?
“Although rarely seen today, coin-operated cigar dispensers have been around since at least 1893.
