Posted on 03/24/2013 6:06:43 PM PDT by markomalley
Nearly four years after it began regulating cigarettes, the Food and Drug Administration is poised to extend its reach to a broader range of tobacco products. At the top of that list: cigars, which have experienced a boom in recent years even as cigarette sales have declined, in part because of growing popularity among young people.
Anti-tobacco advocates and industry representatives widely expect the agency to require changes in the marketing and manufacturing of cigars. But the central question remains: What kind of cigars will the FDA target, and how?
On one end of the spectrum are the hand-rolled Cohibas and Arturo Fuentes that stock the humidors of high-end cigar shops and are favored by aficionados who don’t blink at paying top dollar. On the other are the convenience-store brands that appeal primarily to young smokers, such as 59-cent blueberry Swisher Sweets, peach-flavored White Owl Cigarillos, Phillies Blunts Sour Apple and menthol Cheyenne “little cigars” that are barely distinguishable from cigarettes.
Public health experts and some anti-tobacco lawmakers are pressing the FDA to regulate all cigars, but they mostly worry about the inexpensive, flavored varieties that have proliferated in recent years. Such cigars “are marketed aggressively and have resulted in high school kids and young adults being twice as likely as their older counterparts to be cigar smokers,” the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids said in a recent report.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Regulate my back yard FDA, and kiss my fuzzy butt while you are at it.
/johnny
The ATF should leverage back on the FDA. Meanwhile the DEA is worried about losing power and influence as medical marijuana goes over to regulation by the FDA-ATFM
Can’t this MARXIST government just leave people alone?
When do we say enough is enough? When?
Some yutes use “blunt” cigars to smoke weed.
Since Nanny Bloomberg’s 32+ oz drink exempted 40 oz. bottles of malt liquor and Barack Obama’s “flavored tobacco ban” exempted menthols, I assume blunts will not be regulated either.
It’s a HARD LIFE alreadys.
What's that mean?
In ten years, I will have the best tasting cigars in the Western Hemisphere (Connecticut River Valley wrapper, BTW).
But if the Gov't (most likely with Mike Bloomberg leading the charge) wants to take them away...well, come ahead and frikken try.
I'll pour the officers a very large Coke and offer them a cigar (cigars go well with Coke)...but that's all they get.
Is Monica going to be in charge of cigar regulation?
I’ve often wondered why more people don’t grow their own.
I've got the time and the willingness to extend a finger of civil unrest toward DC, and that's why I do it. That, and I'm cheap.
/johnny
The "Saturday Night Special" of cigars, eh? And there's the threat of scary-looking Assault Cigars. . .
Tobacco Growing Information
Raising tobacco is very easy. The seeds you received should be started inside in flats. In northern states, start the seeds 4-6 weeks before the last frost. Tobacco can be ready to harvest for curing about 60 days after transplanting, therefore it can be raised in almost any state. If raising more than one variety of tobacco, use separate flats. A mixture of peat humus and potting soil should be used. Potting soil only can be used if you select a high grade of commercial potting soil. Place the mixture into the flats, soak the soil with water and allow the excess water to drain off. The next day, sprinkle the tobacco seeds onto the surface of the damp soil. Do not cover the seeds as they need light for germination. Tobacco seeds are very tiny, so be careful to spread the seeds evenly. Keep the soil damp being careful not to wash the seeds around when you water. You will begin to notice sprouts in about two weeks. Transplant outside after all danger of frost is past.
If you have a moderate growing season and can start the seeds outside, try to sow the seeds where leaves or wood has been burned. The plants will thrive in these spots. Tobacco requires a lot of nitrogen and potash which is supplied by wood ashes. The ashes from charcoal grills are also beneficial. I recommend applying a good brand of garden fertilizer to the area where the plants will be grown. Working in rotted manure is very good for the plants. Never raise tobacco plants in the same spot in the garden for over a few years at a time as tobacco plants will totally deplete the nutrients in the soil.
You should space the tobacco plants about 2 ft. apart in rows 3 ft. apart when practical. The plants are large enough to transplant when the largest leaves are 2” or larger. Always transplant outside in late evening or when it is cloudy and overcast. Water plants thoroughly after transplanting and water daily each day until plants have become established. When growing in tubs, limit the number of plants grown. Tobacco plants need to be exposed to full sun while growing.
Tobacco roots grow quickly and often close to the surface. Be careful around plants when hoeing or cultivating around them. Try not to disturb the soil anymore than necessary. As the plant begins growing, remove all suckers as they will sap the plants growth.
http://www.organicaseed.com/tobacco.html
No. She’s in charge of the humidor.
It’s easy enough to grow. It’s the aging and fermentation that’s the tricky part.
I thought premium cigar use was declining. Apparently I’m very wrong because consumption is climbing back up into rates not seen since the mid-’90s. Something else to worry about finding and hoarding!
Yeah, but is it a High Capacity Humidor?
That is a question that goes unanswered with blank stares from so-called “progressives” that I personally know. When will they just leave us the hell alone??
I’ve noticed a lot more people in the shop I frequent looking at cigars than just picking up cigarettes lately. Especially the 20 something crowd. With the price of cigarettes shooting up so high, might as well get something with flavor.
Two of the oldest, best and cheapest places to buy premium cigars on the web:
http://www.jrcigars.com/jr/index.cfm
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