Weekly News (Feb. 5, 2018)

Cigar News

• BLK WKS S&R Heading to Retail in February
• Caldwell Adds Porsche Design Distribution
• Crowned Heads Signs With Brigham for Canadian Distribution
• La Palina Bronze Label Adds Two Vitolas As It Becomes Regular Production
• Lotus Group Debuts Deception Serrated Blade Cutter, 15-Count Humidor at TPE
• NyB Cigars Launches Furia for International Markets
• Rocky Patel Adds Colibri V-Cut Colorways
• Romeo y Julieta Wide Churchills Gran Reserva Arrives in U.K.
• STG Acquires Thompson for $62mm
• XIKAR Acquired by Quality Importers

Legislation

• Alex Azar Sworn In as HHS Secretary
• Sweden Seeks National Smoking Ban at Restaurants, Public Places — via TheLocal.se

• Alaska Smoking Ban Bill Advancing, Meets Staunch Opponent Today
• Idaho Legislator Expected to Reintroduce Tobacco Purchase Age Increase Bill — via KTVB.com
• Illinois General Assembly to Consider Increasing Tobacco Purchase Age
• Indiana Purchasing Age Increases Passes Committee, Dies In House
• Mississippi Tobacco Age Increase Bill Stumbles in Committee
• New Mexico Tobacco Tax Increase Clears First Committee
• New Jersey Considering Another Tobacco Tax Increases
• South Dakota Legislators Introduce Tobacco 21 Bill
• Utah Legislator Seeks Tobacco Age Increase

• Asbury Park, N.J. to Consider Beach Smoking Ban — via Patch.com
• Calvert, Md. Considering Park Smoking Ban — via The BayNet
• Colonie, N.Y. Considering Park Smoking Ban — via The Albany Times Union
• Elkhart, Ind. City Council Repeals Smoking Ban, Mayor to Veto; Ron White Performs With Cigar Anyway — via WNDU.com
• Pulaski County, Va. Seeks Legislative Permission to Impose Tobacco Tax — via SouthwestTimes.com
• Topeka, Kan. Still Deciding Legality of Tobacco Purchase Age Increase — via CJOnline.com
• Winnipeg, Manitoba Patio Smoking Ban Passed, Goes Into Effect April 1 — via WinnipegSun.com

Colleges & Universities

• Cornell University — Considering Tobacco Ban.

Deals From Our Sponsors

• Atlantic Cigar Co. — PDR FYR Connecticut Valley Reserve Belicoso Azul Rosado (Box of 15, $140.25)
• Cigars.com — Colibri SV Cutter ($75)
• Corona Cigar Co. — Zino Platinum Make of Texas Collector’s Edition (Box of 10, $79.95)
• Famous Smoke Shop — Oliva Serie V Melanio Robusto (Box of 10, $60.95)
• JR Cigar — Trinidad Santiago Robusto (Box of 20, $160.20)
• Lighter USA — Colibri Daytona ($59)
• Serious Cigars — Headley Grange Laguito No. 6 ($189)
• Thompson Cigar — Arturo Fuente Collection Extra ($96.75)

Charlie Minato

I am an editor and co-founder of halfwheel.com/Rueda Media, LLC. I previously co-founded and published TheCigarFeed, one of the two predecessors of halfwheel. I have written about the cigar industry for more than a decade, covering everything from product launches to regulation to M&A. In addition, I handle a lot of the behind-the-scenes stuff here at halfwheel. I enjoy playing tennis, watching boxing, falling asleep to the Le Mans 24, wearing sweatshirts year-round and eating gyros. echte liebe.