Happy Birthday Litto Gomez LG. Please Read

[Cigar Man Andy]

I did not know the proper place to post this, herf, meet the manufacturer, tobacco legislature? So I am posting it here...

I spent a wonderful evening last night with some old, and some new friends. The post title is "Happy Birthday Litto Gomez LG Please Read" and so it is. Last night was the grand opening of Bethesda Tobacco in Maryland. We had a triple event. Yes it was the official opening of Litto's Lounge. But it was also to celebrate Litto Gomeze's birthday, which is today and to talk about SCHIP and the Cigar Rights of America.

It was a night of cigar celebs. In attendance was Litto - LG and La flor Dominicana, Robert Levin - Pres. of Holts, Paul Garmirian - PG Cigars, Mutiple reps and managers.

Mike, the owner of Bethesday Tobacco had a special cake made for Litto in the shape of a box of Salamons.


Litto and Robert spoke about the SCHIP and legislature going on in the US pertaining to Cigar Smokers, and the inhalation of tobacco if they keep on this path. Maryland is trying to impose an additional 90% OTP tax (Other Tobacco Products) on cigars and pipe tobacco. In Virginia, there is a ban on smoking in public, including cigar shops, except in "Cigar Lounges". It is happening all over the USA.

We as cigar smoker are loosing our rights. I urge all of our members to join the CRA Cigar Rights of America. There is a link below. Litto and Robert asked us to help and we are planning a CRA fund raiser later this year in June to help raise awareness and support of the CRA to protect our right to purchase and smoke cigars. The first event to be held in Washington DC. Guests to include Litto Gomez, Robert Levin, and others to be announced.

I will post Gauging Interest later as plans come together. Please check out the link below, and join. It is only $35 for membership. Some of us pay that for one cigar.

I don't mean to sound political, but I love cigars and my rights are being trampled as are yours.

For more information click on the CRA banner.

[Sunshine86]

I would have loved to have made it out yesterday. Unfortunately, I have way too many projects due for finals and way too little time to do it.

[tattoofreak]

Thanks for the info I will sign up CRA thanks for the link I've only been enjoying cigars for a year now and would hate to loose the right to enjoy my self.

[Cigar Man Andy]

Originally Posted by tattoofreak

Thanks for the info I will sign up CRA thanks for the link I've only been enjoying cigars for a year now and would hate to loose the right to enjoy my self.

Glad to have you.

[Blindjimme]

I am signing up too. This is too important an issue to take a wait and see approach to all this anti smoking legislation. All of our single voices need to have organized representation. I encourage all of you to join as well.
Thanks Andy.

JB

[Cigar Man Andy]

Originally Posted by Blindjimme

I am signing up too. This is too important an issue to take a wait and see approach to all this anti smoking legislation. All of our single voices need to have organized representation. I encourage all of you to join as well.
Thanks Andy.

JB

I am working very close with Litto and Robert to spread the word. Let your friends know to post. Sometime in June we are organizing a fundraiser dinner to support the CRA in DC. Litto is putting a special sampler together where the profit goes ti CRA as well. I will keep you posted. Come join us in June.

[PerpetualNoob]

Haven't you heard? Cigars are "stinky" and "unhealthy", and the only people who smoke them are "rich, fat white guys". Facts are irrelevant. I have the uneasy feeling that this is only going to get uglier, and uglier, until it gets to the point where the only people who can actually afford to smoke cigars will, in fact, be rich, fat white guys.

The federal government has so much power now to impose its will on the states, that a numbing sameness blankets the land. Used to be, if you didn't like the way things were going where you lived, you'd pack your stuff on the back of the truck and go somewhere that suited you better. Now, when you get there, you find out it's just the same as the place you left.

Here in Alaska, everyone prides themselves on their "live and let live" attitude, but it's a complete sham. What they really want is to be able to do whatever they want, without interference, but will not rest until the things they disapprove of are either outlawed or taxed into oblivion. I'm not even sure how it happened, but it's a fairly recent phenomenon, within the last ten years or so.

It's also very depressing. If I can't even be free here in Alaska anymore, and I assure you, I'm not, where else is left to go? We are a tiny, unpopular, self-inflicted minority, and no one else is anxious to join with us and defend us. They will happily crush our rights, and never give it a second thought.

The famous words of Friedrich Gustav Martin Niemöller keep coming back to haunt me.

Martin Niemöller - Wikiquote

Sorry to be such a wet blanket, but that's just how I see things.

[Cigar Man Andy]

Thought I would post this photo for you and a link to other pix from this event.


Me, Litto Gomez, Mike-owner Bethesda Tobacco, Robert Levin, Pres of Holts

The picture is a link to the event shots.

[David M]

Thanks for the info.

It is kind of curious. Who is lobbying for us in Washington?
Is anybody doing real work?
Is there a chance to find a proper balance for us or is it all just going Extreme Health crazy?

Free-zones is likely what it will become. These are public zones. Some type of special area where we can do our thing. Cigar lounge etc...
Doing it outside, in public, no way. Looking at all the rules and laws in effect today and simply applying a calculated look ahead. Its going by the way side. That sucks.

I need to get a little more educated on the political side of tobacco but I guess what I am curious about is - has there been any good news recently? In terms of Public smoking. Maybe this question belongs in another thread.

[Cigar Man Andy]

Originally Posted by David M*

Thanks for the info.

It is kind of curious. Who is lobbying for us in Washington?
Is anybody doing real work?
Is there a chance to find a proper balance for us or is it all just going Extreme Health crazy?

Free-zones is likely what it will become. These are public zones. Some type of special area where we can do our thing. Cigar lounge etc...
Doing it outside, in public, no way. Looking at all the rules and laws in effect today and simply applying a calculated look ahead. Its going by the way side. That sucks.

I need to get a little more educated on the political side of tobacco but I guess what I am curious about is - has there been any good news recently? In terms of Public smoking. Maybe this question belongs in another thread.

David, Go to the link I have on my signature CRA banner. There is a lot of information for you there.