I have read through the entire bill and the ammendments and I can find no reference to cigars. Am I overlooking something? The Senate bill refers to cigarrettes and smokeless tobacco where cigarettes are defined as:
`(2) The term `cigarette' means--
`(A) any roll of tobacco wrapped in paper or in any substance not containing tobacco which is to be heated or burned;
`(B) any roll of tobacco wrapped in any substance containing tobacco that, because of its appearance, the type of tobacco used in the filler, or its packaging or labeling, is likely to be offered to, or purchased by, consumers as a cigarette described in subparagraph (A);
`(C) any roll of tobacco wrapped in any substance that because of its appearance, the type of tobacco used in the filler, or its packaging or labeling, is likely to be offered to, or purchased by, consumers as a cigarette; or
`(D) loose rolling tobacco that, because of its appearance, type, packaging, or labeling, is likely to be offered to, or purchased by, consumers as tobacco for making cigarettes.
`(3) The term `smokeless tobacco' means any finely cut, ground, powdered, or leaf tobacco that is intended to be placed in the oral or nasal cavity or otherwise consumed without being combusted.'; This definition seems to explicitly rule cigars out.
It also does not prohibit mail order sales, it just states that you have to pay your local tax. As a residence of Virginia that would have no impact one me but would impact people living in most other states.
They use the typical "It's for the children" argument where it is really a money grab at taxes they are losing to sales from low or no tax states. But Liddy Dole is one of the co-sponsors and she is from North Carolina where JRs is located so my only conclusion about her is my first impression - she is a twit. (vent) There are a couple of online retailers that I buy my VSGs and Anniversarios from, which are difficult to find locally at times so I stock up on boxes when these few online retailers have them. So if it is a ban I would like to know for sure.
Basically, before I call my congressman I just want to make sure I have the correct interpretation.
Correct, there is no reference to cigars. Neither the Senate bill nor the House bill has anything to do with cigars -- it is all about combating cigarette counterfeiting. But the Senate snuck in cigar-related references to the sister bill (S1177) at the very last moment .....and the sucker passed. And if it could happen in the Senate, it could happen again in the House.
All I know is that we all got this notice from JR's, Mikes of North Miami, Thompsons of Tampa and other cigar mail order biggies warning us that some language had been inserted into the Senate bill that included cigars and that passed and now it is in House judiciary committee and they fear the same insertion may take place there.
Note, their newsalert only includes the names of Pubbie Reps yet they do not specify that or why.
I have not seen the bill personally and plan to call Marsha Blackburns office first thing in the morning and ask. I generally have no beef with her at all and supported her bigtime...she lives within one to two miles of my home is the SW Nashville suburbs. My family has been largely broken glass for the party since my Dad and Eisenhower and dad was a Bush Sr "Pioneer" or "Ranger" or whatever they called them then....and yes I will remind them of that. I lack my dad's (RIP) wherewithal but proportionately I am just as committed...not because I am a Bot...I am not but I am a pragmatist.
Like I said...they will hear from me. If it's nothing fine but if it's nothing then all the nations leading stogie dealers are wrong.
I buy probably 2500 bucks of La Glorias per annum and don't wish to pay 2 or 3 times that or not be able to find them like 94-00 when the yuppies and gen x poseurs glommed all of the good stuff and drove prices thru the roof and damaged availiability...hell, it's still not back to normal but better in any event.
Regards and thanks for the heads up for good manners.
Interesting username btw! PS: An odd note....we stogie heads may not be a terribly large group but I'll bet you a box of vinatage Batista Trinis that we are overwhlemingly conservatives...no doubt.