It's that time again.  This week we'll take a look at a celebrity NASCAR driver who got his own cigar.  We'll also be looking into some more great cigar related gift ideas as well as an Oasis in L.A.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Gets His Own Cigar

Since NASCAR is the most popular sport in the country and Dale Earnhardt Jr. is NASCAR’s most popular driver, it only seems natural that he’d be cashing in on his name while he can. The latest thing Dale Jr. has put his label on is a new line of cigars.

Ted’s Cigars in Lexington, KY, is now offering an officially licensed Dale Jr. “88” cigar, named after his trademark ride. The six-inch cigars are described as having a “mild, creamy smoke with a smooth finish” and sell for $12 each, 10 for $100 or 25 for $225. Rumor has it that the company has just slapped the Dale Jr. packaging on its Toro-sized Ted’s Made by Hand Connecticut Shade Tube.

While Earnhardt’s photo and autograph appear on the packaging for the smokes, there is no mention of NASCAR because the racing organization has banned tobacco advertising since 2010 in an effort to promote a squeaky-clean image. However, the drivers are independent contractors and as such are allowed to endorse products as they see fit.

Although some may frown at athletes endorsing tobacco products, Earnhardt is hardly the first to put his name on a line of cigars. Others with their own cigar brands are Dennis Rodman, Luis Tiant, Gary Sheffield, Sonny Jurgenson and coach Mike Ditka.

Florida Doctor Pans Celebrity Smokers

One of those likely to frown at Earnhardt’s cigar deal is Dr. Barry Hummel Jr., co-founder of the Quit Doc Research and Education Foundation of Coral Gables, FL. The doc recently penned an op-ed slamming celebs who endorse or are seen publicly using tobacco products.

“I was disheartened to see pictures of Bon Jovi drummer Tico Torres and professional golfer Larry Laoretti flaunting cigars during the recent Fore Kids Golf Classic in Martin County.

“We could discuss the irony of the co-hosts of an event that raises money for families of children fighting cancer partaking in an activity that is one of the leading causes of cancer.

“We could also discuss the irony of Tico Torres stepping in to fill the void left by the death of the former event host Gary Carter from brain cancer.

“I'd rather focus on the simple message conveyed by these photos: that tobacco use is a normal adult activity, and if you want to live large like a celebrity, cigars are the way to go!”

The good doctor then gives a bunch of statistics about the dangers of smoking and why it should be regulated more strictly. Nice try, but smoking cigars IS a normal adult activity, whether you approve or not.