Cigar Rights of America Seeks Help in “Smoking the Vote” This November

The Cigar Rights of America, or CRA, wants your help and that of as many cigar enthusiasts as it can scoop up across the United States. The non-profit agency that fights for cigar smokers' rights has decided to officially launch a “Smoke the Vote” campaign for 2010. The aim of the campaign is to create awareness amongst cigar enthusiasts and enlist their help in electing certain government officials when elections take place later this year during the first week of November.

In essence, the campaign is simple: vote for politicians that are not anti-cigars, and the industry will see more favorable legislation in the future. The timing is critical, as this November's elections involve all seats of the House of Representatives, 36 Senate slots, and a multitude of races for state Governor. The CRA urges enthusiasts to vote in the elections, and offers them to become part of the Smoke the Vote 2010 Grassroots Network.

To become part of the network, all one has to do is sign up via the CRA website using their email address. Other standard contact information will be asked for as well. There is no cost to join, and official members will receive email updates on news related to the upcoming elections, backgrounds on nominees and their stance on smoking issues, and how they will effect the cigar industry. The CRA hopes that they can a large membership base that will be significant enough to impact the final tally when the elections take place.

The CRA deserves plenty of credit for this effort. Due to all the recent smoking bans, increases in taxes on tobacco products, and seemingly growing anti-smoking sentiment, now is an urgent time to make a difference. By putting influential politicians in control that are cigar-friendly, the industry will likely be able to reap great benefits which can be passed down to you, the smoker.

IPCPR 2010 Untaxed

Those planning to take part in the 2010 International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers (IPCPR) trade show coming soon recently caught a break. The break comes in the form of no taxes on free samples that are so commonplace at such shows.

In the past, companies that attended the IPCPR trade shows to market and exhibit their products did not have to pay taxes on the samples they handed out to attendees. The exception was last year, where they were forced to pay taxes on their freebie handouts. The result was stress, as many exhibitors frowned upon handing out too many samples due to the increased financial burden they would face for doing so.