Cigar Industry Report: Volume 4, Number 40 (8/29/15)

The Cigar Industry Report is a one stop place to catch up on the activity here at Cigar Coop and Stogie Geeks. It is a combination of our news reports, cigar reviews, and assessment updates we do throughout the week. We will also recap what happened on our Stogie Geeks show. Finally, each week we will look back at Cigar Coop history. Look for this report every Saturday morning at 8am Eastern time.

Cigar Industry Report: Volume 4, Number 40 (Edition 137 8/29/15)

Feature of the Week: Gene Tipton Returns to the Cigar Industry

Gene Tipton, who retired from Altadis USA last year has returned to the cigar business. This week Sindicato Cigars named Tipton its new Vice President of Sales. Tipton has had a long and distinguished career in the cigar business spanning half a century.

News and Previews

Debonaire: Phil Zanghi’s company will officially launch Indian Motorcycle Ultra Premium Cigars at Twins Smoke Shop on September 4.
Avo Cigars: We previewed the Avo Quartet 2015 edition, the new four cigar robusto sampler from Avo Cigars.
Maya Selva Cigars: Due to trademark issues, the shop exclusive of Flor de Selva heading to Underground Cigar Shop has been renamed to Flor de Selva El Figurado.
Moya Ruiz Cigars: The company presented a special edition of the La Jugada Prieto to the sister of the late Mike DeRago of Nero’s Cigars

Legislative News

California: A series of anti-smoking bills was passed during a special session of the State Senate. Companion bills are now heading to the Assembly.
- Senate Bill xx9 (Richard Bloom, D-Santa Monica): Would allow counties to impose their own tobacco taxes.
- Senate Bill xx7 (Sen. Ed Hernandez ,D-San Gabriel Valley) and Assembly Bill xx8 (Assemblyman Jim Wood, D-Healdsburg): Reintroduces legislation to raise the smoking age to 21.
- Senate Bill xx6 (Sen. Bill Monning, D-Carmel): Proposes closing some loopholes in the state’s workplace smoking laws
- Senate Bill xx8 (Carol Liu, D-La Canada Flintridge): Expands tobacco free programs to charter schools.
Senate Bill S. 441: S. 441 is the Senate Bill to gain an exemption from the FDA on premium cigars. This week, no new co-sponsors signed on. The total sponsor remains at 17.
House Bill HR 662: H.R. 662 is House Bill to gain an exemption from the FDA on premium cigars. This week, no new co-sponsors signed on. The total number of sponsor remains at 132.
House Bill 2058: H.R. 2058 is the House Bill to change the effective date for cigars subject to FDA regulation from 2007 to 21 months following any proposed regulations are put into effect. TThis week, no new co-sponsors signed on. The total number of sponsors remains at 27.