International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) Spring 2008 Legislative Update     With most state legislatures back in session, here is a breakdown, state-by-state, of what is currently happening, being considered, and what may be on the horizon in the coming months. As information and events change, we will provide updates. For a complete list of all state issues, please go to IPCPR's Tobacco Legislation homepage.   Alabama: the State Senate is currently considering Senate Bill (SB) 229-a statewide smoking ban. While it exempts cigar bars, retail tobacco shops, and outdoor areas, it will ban smoking in bars, bars within restaurants,...

International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) State Legislative Update     House Bill 3750 Introduced Announces HB3750 Proposes to Make 50-cent Cigar Tax Cap Permanent   February 25, 2008 - House Bill 3750 has been introduced into your state legislature (the Senate cross-over bill has not yet been formally released). As you are aware, the original 50-cent cigar tax cap was set to expire on June 30 of this year. The Cigar Association of America (CAA), has been working on this issue, and feels confident of the bill's success in making the 50-cent tax cap permanent.   CAA's state lobbyist will be in touch...

An E-News Update of the National Association of Tobacco Outlets February 19th, 2008 Recent Legislative Actions   The 2008 state and Congressional legislative sessions have begun. Below is a brief summary of current legislative news followed by a summary chart of the various tobacco bills being considered by state legislatures and Congress:   Virginia: On February 14th, the Virginia House of Delegates defeated several bills that would have prohibited smoking in restaurants and other public places. These bills are now dead for the session.   Wyoming: On February 14th, the Wyoming House of Representatives defeated a statewide ban on smoking by preventing the bill from being introduced   Proposed Cigarette and Tobacco Tax...

Like the title? I was inspired to use it in honor of the TobaccoBarn.com's new web page of inexpensive cigars and also for some crazy reason I decided to light up a cheap cigar. Who knows, maybe I will make every Friday, a Cheap Cigar Friday. I started to have flash backs of the times I used to work for big companies that had their Dress Down Friday, Haiwaiin Shirt, Casual Day or some lame name that allowed us to get out of dressing in our white shirts and ties. Anyway... The cigar I decided to light up is an...

International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) State Legislature Hearing on Proposed Smoking Ban    Senate Judiciary Committee Set To Hear SB493 Hearing Set for February 13   February 8, 2008 - The Kansas State Legislature's Senate Judiciary Committee will hearing Opposing testimony to Senate Bill 493 on Wednesday, February 13, at 930am, in meeting room S-123 (those in favor of this bill will have testified one day earlier).   SB493 proposes to ban all public smoking throughout the state of Kansas. At this time there are no exemptions included in the legislation for retail tobacco shops, cigar bars, or similar businesses.   With that...

First I want to Congratulate the New York Giants for winning the Super Bowl on Sunday. It had to be the best  Super Bowl I have seen in a very long time. Way to Go Giants! Maybe next year Patriot Fans; however, I still give New England praise for having an awesome run. We may not see that happen again for another 30+ years but, I have been wrong before. Romeo y Julieta Habana Reserve Toro Size: 6" x 56 Wrapper: Nicaragua Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Honduras & Nicaragua Wow! After first light and drag, I could really taste the oils from this cigar....

I LOVE Football. Being born and raised in Central Wisconsin that IS the sport of all sports... Well, next to Deer Hunting, Ice Fishing and Snowmobiling... Anyway, I am both excited and sad at the same time. Excited not because, I am a Giants or even a Patriots Fan but, in my family the Super Bowl has always been treated as a Holiday. I can remember my Dad thinking of what type of snacks, dinner and beverages we will have to enjoy before and during the big game. Plus, today's game, in my humble opinion is very historical. The Pats are undefeated...

I don't know about you but, I find this to ridiculous. I found the following article in my email from my Google Alerts this morning. If you don't have Google Alerts or don't know what it is, I highly recommend you check it out and set some up on your favorite topics or interests. It is a great tool to have.  I know this is a possibility in the EU but, who is to say it isn't going to catch on here in the Good Ol' US of A. These Al Gore Global Warming Alarmist and Anti-Smoking Freaks are really starting to get on...