On Wednesday the park district board of Chicago is set to vote on a proposal that will ban smoking in any of Chicago’s parks or harbors. There is already a ban at beaches, park district buildings and playgrounds. If approved the violation would carry a $500 fine. The Chicago Park District is the oldest and largest park district in the U.S.A, with a $385 million annual budget.
Close to the one year anniversary of Councilman Michael Harris’ failed bid for a smoking ban in the downtown smoking district, the Councilman is set to bring the proposal back to the table. Harris and fellow Councilman Ken Carlson have asked their colleagues to draft an ordinance that would ban smoking downtown. The council is scheduled to meet and discuss the proposal at 7:30pm tonight (Sep. 8th) at City Hall. Councilman Carlson is a smoker, […]
This past Friday, the Cigar Association of New Hampshire (C.A.N.H.) had its annual golf tournament to raise money to help fight growing legislation against the industry. The Cigar Association of New Hampshire brings together the top shops of New Hampshire, which helps keep the state tax-free on tobacco, and allowing liquor licenses in cigar bars. Without the united front they could face many of the issues that happen all to often around the world. The event […]
I’ve long considered Jose Blanco to be not only my friend, but to a degree my mentor. We email each other on a regular basis, and he has always been there for me with words of support. In fact, it was Jose Blanco that gave me my first lesson on tobacco that went above and beyond his renowned tasting seminar. Today’s cigar is the freshman release from the Jose Blanco owned Los Cumbres Tobacco. The […]
On Thursday, Democrat Governor of Kentucky, Steve Beshear signed an executive order that expands on a 2006 ban on smoking inside state buildings. The new expanded version of the law includes surrounding property such as sidewalks and parking lots. It also applies to all state vehicles. “No longer will you have to walk through a cloud of smoke to enter one of these buildings,” Beshear said. “Today’s policy is about improving our health.” The order […]
On Wednesday the city commission of Owensboro, KY unanimously passed legislation that prohibits smoking in city parks and outdoor dining areas. There is however an exemption for existing bars to allow their patrons to smoke. New bars will not be allowed to have smoking in their establishment. Each existing bar now has the option of being smoke free or allowing their customer base the right to light up. The new law goes into effect on […]
Mississippi doctors are pushing for state legislators to put a statewide smoking ban on the ballot. There are currently 86 cities that have smoke-free ordinance which covers 25% of the state’s population. However, Steve Demetropolous of the State Medical Association says this is not enough. So far the medical association has failed to have lawmakers pass a state smoking ban, and are not look to get enough signatures to convince the legislators to take the […]
In the 11 weeks that I have been a part of The Cigar Authority, this is the third Illusione review I have done. Before you start calling a party foul, I asked my co-work Ed Santamaria to reach into my humidor to pick out today’s review. In the past we have reviewed the Illusione 68, and Gigantes. According to their website, “A cigar for the masses. Price vs. quality – unmatched in the marketplace. The illusione […]
In Houston, TX the city has begun enforcing a smoking ban on all properties belonging to the Parks and Recreation Department as well as the Houston Public Library. Violating the new ban, could make a serious dent on your pocket and give you a criminal record. Violators of the new ordinance will be charged with a misdemeanor and fined up to $2000.00. According to the director of Houston Parks & Recreation Department, “A smoke free park […]
The Don Pepin Garcia Cuban Classic hasn’t been in production for sometime, and when it was they were available as part of a lancero sampler from My Father Cigars, and also in 50 count boxes via New England sales representatives, The Cigar Agency. Site sponsor 2GuysCigars.com has them available as part of a sampler pack. In fact, these cigars might be the last 100 available. When I first reviewed the cigar as part of my […]