I will be less smelly tomorrow.

I enjoy smoking cigars. I might have mentioned that. The ironic thing is that I detest cigarettes. Cigarettes are an addictive drug delivery system for Nicotine. Cigars, on the other hand, are a flavorful way to enjoy life. The difference would be someone who enjoys and drinks coffee for the enjoyment of the cup versus someone who pops No-Doz. I know many cigarette smokers, and not a single one talks about the complex flavors of their Marlboro Lights. They are not an item to be savored, instead they are ingested to fill a physiological need.

That brings me back to cigars. Cigar smoking is a way to enjoy your time. The varying flavors, qualities, styles, shapes, and sizes can keep a cigar lover busy trying the tens of thousands of smokes for years to come. Most cigar smokers do not smoke because of addiction, but do so because of love of smoke. Much like wine lovers love to drink wine because of it's taste.

I am not alone, there are millions of cigar smokers in the US. Everday Americans love cigars, but there are many famous people who love them. Some include Rush Limbaugh, Tom Cruise, Whoopi Goldberg, Harrison Ford, and Demi Moore. It's almost a national obsession.

Cigar smoking also has it's own rites and rituals. Most cigar smokers share these rites, but everyone does their own thing more or less.

I enjoy smoking my cigars while I work and blog. As I write this I am enjoying a Drew Estate Clean Robusto, my current favorite.

One thing that irks me is when people try to ban smoking. In New York, smoking in bars and restaurants is illegal. In fact, even many previously established "Cigar Bars" were force to close, or jump through many costly time consuming hoops to get exemptions.

And now the smoking nazi's are at it again. A bill before the U.S. House of Representatives' Judiciary Committee could outlaw the shipping of cigars through the U.S. mail. The Senate has already passed its version of the legislation, and major cigar retailers and the Cigar Association of America are lobbying to keep it from being passed.

The bill, known as the Internet Tobacco Sales Enforcement Act, or HR 2824, went to the House Judiciary Committee after the passage of the Senate's Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking (PACT) Act, or S. 1177 in December. Championed by Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) in June, the PACT Act was introduced to prevent cigarette smuggling and ensure the proper collection of cigarette taxes. The bill was changed in its final stages when it was expanded to include all tobacco products -- including cigars -- and would prohibit the shipment of all tobacco products through the U.S. mail. With the passage of S. 1177, a similar bill was brought forward to the House Judiciary Committee -- HR 2824.

Why is it so hard for governments to allow a privately owned restaurants to cater to the clientelle they wish to? Why can't a restaurant which wants to be smoke free while a bar or restaurant which wants to cater to smokers continue to do so? And for people who may want to try various different smokes not available at their local smoke shop, why shouldn't they be able to buy cigars from the internet and through mail-order?

Smoking isn't that bad, it shouldn't be a crime. It is merely something enjoyes much like drinking alcohol, or enjoying a good meal.

I like what Winston Churchill, a famous cigar smoker, said about smoking when told he was not allowed to smoke at a state event:

"I must point out that my rule of life prescribed as an absolutely sacred rite smoking cigars and also the drinking of alcohol before, after, and if need be during all meals and in the intervals between them".

Is that too much to ask?

Posted by psugrad98 at January 29, 2004 04:00 PM