Weekly News (Jan. 21, 2019)

Cigar News

• Agio & Avanti End Distribution Agreement
• Crowned Heads Announces Paniolo Especiale 2019
• IPCPR Hires New Regional Lobbyist
• IPCPR Survey Says Holiday Cigar Sales Increased
• La Flor Dominicana Creates 906 Cocktail & Cigar Lounge Exclusive
• La Flor Dominicana Ships Football Special Edition 2019
• Nestor Miranda Special Selection Returning
• Padilla Releases Finest Hour
• Patoro Takes Back U.S. Distribution, Adds UPS Cigars Direct Shipping
• RoMa Craft Tobac Adding Two European Exclusives in 2019
• RoMa Craft Tobac’s Intemperance Whiskey Rebellion Gets National Release
• Tatuaje Little Hassells Arrive in Stores
• Ted’s Cigars & Maker’s Mark Sue Each Other
• Viaje Teases Scotch Bonnet, Super Shot 2019 (Update)
• Warped Teases Flor del Valle Ghost Orchid
• XIKAR/Quality Importers Boss Promoted at Private Capital Firm — via The PE Hub

Legislation

• FDA Cigar Lawsuit Delayed Due to Government Shutdown

• Connecticut Legislator Seeks Tobacco Purchasing Age Increase
• Delaware Governor Expresses Support for Tobacco Purchasing Age Increase
• Illinois Legislators to Take Up Tobacco 21 Proposal
• New York Considering Tobacco Purchasing Age Increase Bill
• North Dakota Tobacco Purchasing Age Increase Proposed Again
• Rhode Island Governor Requests Higher Tobacco Taxes
• South Carolina Tobacco Purchasing Age Bill Introduced
• Texas Tobacco Purchasing Age Bill Introduced
• Virginia Legislator Introduces Tobacco Purchasing Age Increase Bill

• Burlington, N.C. Makes Parks Tobacco Free
• Duluth, Minn. Tobacco Age Increase Proposal Moves Forward
• Elon, N.C. Bans Smoking on Downtown Streets
• Hampton, N.H. Selectman Won’t Take Position on Proposed Smoking Ban — via SeacoastOnline.com
• Mankato, Minn. to Revisit Tobacco Purchasing Age Increase in February — via MankatoFreePress.com
• Meriden, Conn. Begins Work on Tobacco Purchasing Age Increase Proposal — via MyRecordJournal.com
• Rolling Meadows, Ill. Debates Tobacco 21 Ordinance — via Journal-Topics.com
• Smithville, Mo. to Debate Tobacco Purchasing Age Increase Proposal — via MyCourierTribune.com
• Washington County, Iowa Supervisors Take No Action on County Property Smoking Ban Proposal — via KalonaNews.com
• Westfield, N.J. Looks at Ban on Smoking and Vaping at Public Events — via TapInto.net

College and Universities

• Caldwell University (N.J.) Goes Tobacco and Smoke-Free in 2020

Deals From Our Sponsors

• Atlantic Cigar Co. — AVO Limited Edition Improvisation 2017 (Box of 16, $169.95)
• Cigar Hustler — Intemperance WR Washington Belicoso (Box of 24, $169.56)
• Corona Cigar Co. — Sin Compromiso No. 6 (Box of 13, $215.95)
• Famous Smoke Shop — Gilberto Oliva Reserva Churchill (Box of 20, $108.99)
• Gotham Cigars — Arturo Fuente 2018 Holiday Sampler (Sampler of 10, $99.99)
• JR Cigars — 30 Cigar Sampler ($45.95)
• STOGIES World Class Cigars — Guardian of the Farm Guapo H-Town Lancero (Box of 10, $80.60)

Patrick Lagreid

I strive to capture the essence of a cigar and the people behind them in my work – every cigar you light up is the culmination of the work of countless people and often represents generations of struggle and stories. For me, it’s about so much more than the cigar – it’s about the story behind it, the experience of enjoying the work of artisans and the way that a good cigar can bring people together. In addition to my work with halfwheel, I’m the public address announcer for the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks during spring training, as well as for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League, the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury, the G-League's Valley Suns, and previously the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League. I also work in a number of roles for Major League Baseball, plus I'm a voice over artist. Prior to joining halfwheel, I covered the Phoenix and national cigar scene for Examiner.com, and was an editor for Cigar Snob magazine.