Thanks to all you active cigar and pipe smokers that helped uphold the President's veto of SCHIP. You input has helped however now is not the time to rest on our laurels.

Congressional Democrats are currently working on legislation to reintroduce the SCHIP legislation. This proposed legislation will be nearly identical to the previously failed proposal, HR976. In an attempt to appease moderate Republicans, only minor revisions have been made to the eligibility requirements. The tobacco tax proposals, including the excessive taxation on handmade cigars and pipe tobacco, will remain in the legislation.

While IPCPR's federal lobbyists feel that with no substantial changes to this second SCHIP proposal, the president will again veto the legislation (if and when it passes both the House of Representatives and the Senate), and the veto will withstand a second attempt at an override by the House - not enough moderate Republicans will not be swayed to vote in favor of an override due to such minimal changes.

Progress has been made in demonstrating on Capitol Hill that the current proposal will prove detrimental to our industry and we continue working for a compromise.

So we urge you to please keep the pressure un your representatives to not vote for programs that unfairly target those of us who enjoy partaking in a legal activity.

The Cigar Of The Day blog recently posted "A New, Old Way to Enjoy Your Cigar" that caught my eye... (truth be told, I saw it as a link on CigarLive.com in this thread)

He has some great information about historical use of the cigar holders as well as his take on using these handy little tools.

I myself like using my meerschaum cigar holder when I'm working on the computer or something where I've got to use both hands. This allows me to effectively hold my cigar in my mouth for prolonged periods of time (like when I'm typing) and not have to worry about ruining it by brushing it with my teeth or slobbering on it so much that you can't draw any more. I've also found this a great way to cool off a cigar that seems to be smoking too hot as the meerschaum and greater distance between cigar and mouth allow the smoke to cool more, much as a churchwarden as opposed to a shorter pipe.

Others in the lounge at the Barn prefer to use their holders to extend the smoke they get out of their premium and ultra-premium cigars. They can now smoke down to the cap almost without burning their lips or fingers and without looking like they are "toking" on something they shouldn't.

One of the downsides mentioned is that you need a full range of holders to cover all cigars, and we have sets that cover this need, but I've found that many cigar smokers usually lean towards smoking similar ring-gauges and they can select a holder that covers their favorite smokes.

Dogwatch Cigar Radio, in their Podcast #133 dated October 5, 2007, has a great interview with Dr. Terry Simpson that talks specifically about the science (and lack thereof) about the data used to support all of this backlash against recreational smoking.

Every cigar and pipe smoker should listen to this segment to be fully armed against the anti-smoke nazis...

Great video not only of the master rolling a cigar but also the process tobacco leaves take from start to finish at his Nicaraguan factory Tabacalera Cubana.

I spotted this picture over on CigarLive.com's forums. This purports to be taken on the set of "Indy IV":

News from the IPCPR:

Legislation Proposed Excessive Tax on Cigars
October 18, 2007- Finally, this critical vote failed to pass the House of Representatives in a floor vote today. The final vote was 273-156, short of the necessary two-thirds majority (of present voting members) needed.
We wanted to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your perseverance, tenacity, vigilance, and persistence in contacting your U.S. congressmen and congresswomen, and your senators through
phone calls, emails, faxes, and personal visits to their district and Capital Hill offices. Without your support and direct action we simply would not have made the noise we did in Congress, gaining the attention of influential members that now understand our niche community-industry cannot absorb a massive tax increase and continue to exist.

This is only the first round in what will most likely be a continuing battle for the next several months. As SCHIP expansion and extension of the current program will be sought by congressional democrats. We have already begun communicating and working with congressional leaders and their states, taking the position that if a tax increase in cigars must exist, that a realistic, manageable increase must be a part of the overall proposal. 

A special thank you goes out to the manufacturers within our industry for their efforts throughout the United States and Latin America in mobilizing support against this tax increase. Through their coordinated efforts between the Latin American governments, and their counterparts in the United States, they illustrated and successfully conveyed the ramifications of this tax increase on the Latin American citizens and artisans who rely on the handmade cigar industry for a viable, living income. Key legislators now understand it is more than just a pleasure for consumers, but a way of life for those artisans who produced handmade cigars. Because of the handmade cigar industry, many of these citizens would not have reasonable access to medical and dental care, education, and other social services provided by manufacturers based in these small countries.

Thank you again for your efforts and direct action, for if we are to succeed, we must all hang together, or we will hang separately.

International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR)
Chris McCalla
Legislative Director  

Looking for bullet points or help to craft a message to your local senator/congressman to UPHOLD the SCHIPs veto.

Going to http://capwiz.com/rtda/issues/alert/?alertid=10386901 and inputting your zip code will not only give you a list of representatives near you, but it will also give you bullet points appropriate to how the legislator had previously voted.

The time to act is now so don't wait. We think you'll find this tool from the IPCPR will assist you in knocking this down. SCHIP supporters are gearing up with a multi-million dollar TV campaign to get the uninformed electorate to pressure legislators who voted against the bill to change their minds and override the veto because "it's for the children".

We know that YOU know you need to contact your representatives about upholding the veto on the expansion of SCHIPs program by putting the tax burden on our backs.

Perhaps you have friends who are having a hard time getting past the "it's for the children"... Send them links to our video playlists to hear the truth about this tax and what it is really about!

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=A52E341856944523

Share the link and this message far and wide!

ACTION ALERT!

Call and Urge Your U.S. Representative
To Sustain President Bush’s Veto
Of the SCHIP Bill!

On October 3^rd, President Bush Vetoed the SCHIP Bill
With Excessive Cigarette and Tobacco Tax Increases

The Democrat Leadership in the U.S. House has Scheduled
A Vote to Try and Override the Veto on October 18^th

You Need To Call Their U.S. Representative Now and Urge Them to
Sustain the President’s Veto of the SCHIP Bill!

__________________________________

Call Either of the Following Toll-Free Numbers to Be Directly Connected with Your U.S. Representative’s Office:

1-877-857-8074 or 1-866-527-4494

CALLS ARE NEEDED TO ENSURE THAT
THESE UNFAIR TAX INCREASES ARE
NOT ENACTED INTO LAW

President Bush Vetoes SCHIP Legislation

This morning, President Bush vetoed H.R. 976, the bill passed by Congress to reauthorize and expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). In a press conference this morning, the President’s Press Secretary stated that the administration will work with Congress to ensure the neediest children are receiving health insurance coverage. In particular, the administration is focusing on children in families that have annual income of less than $41,300 which is 200% of the 2007 poverty level for a family of four. The President has always taken the position that he will expand the SCHIP program by $5 billion without raising taxes which constitutes a 20% increase in current spending on the program.

The leadership of the U.S. House has scheduled a vote to attempt to override the President’s veto for Wednesday, October 17^th. Please recall that the U.S. House voted 265 to 159 in favor of the final SCHIP bill which is 25 votes short of the 290 needed to override a presidential veto.

Call Your Representatives and Urge Them to Sustain the Veto

Don't rest on our laurels. You are strongly urged to call your U.S. Representatives and urge them to vote to sustain the President’s veto. One of the easiest ways to make this call is to dial one of the following two toll-free telephone numbers and you will be directly connected with your U.S. Representative’s office in order to leave your message with a staff person:

1-877-857-8074 or 1-866-527-4494

Representatives that voted against the SCHIP bill will be under a great deal of pressure to vote to override the President’s veto and they need support from you and your customers to sustain the President’s veto!

You'll find huge savings at the Tobacco Barn during our October Sale!

• Cigars* - 20% off our normally low online pricing
• Pipe Tobacco - 20% off as well
• Estate Pipes - 20% off so don't wait
• Lighters - 10% off all lighters on our website

As the seasons change and you start feeling the a little nip in the air, one's thoughts turn toward comfort, relaxation and getting settled in for a long, hard winter. What better way to accomplish all of these things than to stock up on your favorite cigars or pipe tobacco for those fine autumn walks or to enjoy watching football on the weekends?

Looking for cigars? Well, you've come to the right place. All of our cigars (save those shown at the bottom of this message) are also on sale. Not only do you save twice the discount we normally offer on whole box sales, but you'll also save 20% on all cigars in packs of 5 as well. Choose from names like Arturo Fuente, Padron, Camacho, CAO, Romeo y Julieta, Montecristo, Macanudo, Punch, Rocky Patel and so many more! This discount even applies to our custom label cigars to use as gifts or just to spread the word about your business or event.

Looking to add to your pipe collection? Been trying to justify the purchase of another Barling or Castello pipe to expand your collection? Or perhaps you've been looking for that perfect Dunhill, GBD, Savinelli or Peteresen pipe to round out your collection. You are in luck because you can choose from our wide range of Estate Pipes and save yourself 20% off our normal prices. You will want to get them while you can 'cause once they are gone, they are gone for good.
Of course, you'll want some pipe tobacco to go with your new pipe. In addition to our line of custom blend tobaccos (like Anniversay, Treasure Chest, Brush Creek and Grandfather to name a few) you'll find that all of our packaged tobaccos are 20% off normal low prices as well. Choose from brands like:

• Ashton
• Benjamin Hartwell
• Bjarne
• Butera
• CAO
• Cornell & Diehl
• Dunhill
• G.L. Pease
• Mac Baren
• McClelland and others

Time to break down and buy a new lighter? All of our lighters are also on sale! You can select your favorite fire source from Zippo, Vector, Colibri, Prometheus, IM Corona, ST Dupont, Porsche Design, Xikar and many others. Whether you are looking for a torch for your cigars, a pipe lighter or a nice soft-flame lighter for other purposes, we've got everything you need in the way of lighters.

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*Due to limited availability, certain items must be excluded from this sale; you will find a list of excepted items below. Please note that this sale is for WEB SALES ONLY. It does not apply to phone, wholesale or in-store sales.

• Padron 1964 Anniverserie Serie, all sizes
• Padron Serie 1926 cigars, all sizes
• Arturo Fuente Hemingway cigars, all sizes
• Bell's Three Nuns pipe tobacco