Florida Smokers, Unite
Apr 14, 2009
|
If you're anywhere near the Tampa, Florida, area, you owe it to yourself to grab a few fine cigars and head to 215 N. Dale Mabry Highway this afternoon. At 4:30, the Cigar Rights of America, Tampa’s own J.C. Newman Cigar Co. and Naples’ Rocky Patel Premium Cigars are leading a rally of cigar smokers to protest SB 1840, a bill that would tax cigars by the ounce, adding about 50 cents, 75 cents or more to each cigar you buy. (Click here for the details)
And that tax would come on top of the recent 35-cent per cigar boost that went into effect on April 1 thanks to SCHIP.
Eric and Bobby Newman of J.C. Newman, the company behind Diamond Crown and Cuesta-Rey cigars, will be there along with Rocky Patel. National media outlets are expected to attend, so get out there, fire up a heater and show your support for your fellow smokers.
“With the nation in one of its deepest recessions in history,” wrote the CRA in a call to action email, “now is not the time to burden Florida's struggling cigar consumers, local community cigar retailers and family-owned manufacturers with such an onerous tax.”
Sounds right to me. Everything seems to cost more these days, and money is tight—this isn’t the time to hit people with a second ridiculous price increase.
I’d be there if I could, but I’m not near Tampa today. If you are, get to the rally point: the parking lot of a restaurant called Village Inn, at 215 N. Dale Mabry Highway. It starts at 4:30 p.m. Bring some great cigars, grab a few cigar smoking buddies and stand up for what you love before someone makes it too expensive for you to enjoy.
And that tax would come on top of the recent 35-cent per cigar boost that went into effect on April 1 thanks to SCHIP.
Eric and Bobby Newman of J.C. Newman, the company behind Diamond Crown and Cuesta-Rey cigars, will be there along with Rocky Patel. National media outlets are expected to attend, so get out there, fire up a heater and show your support for your fellow smokers.
“With the nation in one of its deepest recessions in history,” wrote the CRA in a call to action email, “now is not the time to burden Florida's struggling cigar consumers, local community cigar retailers and family-owned manufacturers with such an onerous tax.”
Sounds right to me. Everything seems to cost more these days, and money is tight—this isn’t the time to hit people with a second ridiculous price increase.
I’d be there if I could, but I’m not near Tampa today. If you are, get to the rally point: the parking lot of a restaurant called Village Inn, at 215 N. Dale Mabry Highway. It starts at 4:30 p.m. Bring some great cigars, grab a few cigar smoking buddies and stand up for what you love before someone makes it too expensive for you to enjoy.
