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HARRISBURG – Camille “Bud” George, the plain-talking state representative from Clearfield County, has never been one to mince words. Through closed doors yesterday, he could be heard scolding fellow House Democrats as they caucused at the Capitol for more

Tech review: Folding headphones, cheap MP3 player, gripping bag – Dallas Morning News
Reviewing headphones is easy – just listen to some music and write about how they sound. But what sounds good to me might not sound so good to you. I’ve been testing a set of Ultrasone HFI-680 foldable, over-the-ear headphones, and I really like
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Handy Apps Keep iPhone Users Happy – HispanicBusiness.com
Image courtesy of Apple. At the PT’s Pub on Warm Springs Road recently, a brunette in her late 20s ordered a drink. Three minutes later, bartender Elizabeth Clements served the woman her Russian Quaalude – but not before making a clandestine
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AMY BEATS IT – Daily Star
AMY Winehouse proved there’s more to her talents than her jazzy warblings and ability to drink even the most hardcore of liquor lovers under the table. Back at her old Camden quarters in London, the booze guzzler, 26, wowed the crowds when she
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A Global History Of Tobacco

Tobacco’s history goes back too far to trace. Paleontologists project that it may have begun growing in the Americas as long as 8000 years ago, and archaeological data indicates that folks have been smoking it, one way or another, four almost four thousand years.

It was natives of the Americas who first showed the many and varied ways that tobacco can become part of the life of a culture. Among some native communities, it saw religious use (in extremely heavy doses), a practice that survives among today’s Cree and Ojibway.

It was part of inter-tribal trade (both as a commodity and, when smoked in pipes, as a way to formally seal a bargain); and it was a ritual, a way of marking the specialness of any occasion. As the poet and cultural commentator Wendell Berry once observed, stimulant use in these cultures was celebratory, convivial, and occasional – not the furtive, obsessive, and solitary pursuit it’s become for so many of us. But in addition to its ritual uses, tobacco could also be left uncured and eaten, drunk, or used in enemas.

Unfortunately, this plant that had so enriched the lives of America’s original inhabitants would soon imperil them. European adventurers discovered tobacco’s unique appeal on arriving in America in 1492 and after; desiring to increase tobacco production, Europeans seized native lands, fought native people, and imported African slaves to maximize the profit-making opportunities tied up in this little plant. The story of John Rolfe, founder of the Virginia Jamestown Settlement and future husband of Pocahontas, is instructive – we all heard about this brave explorer in elementary school, without learning that his mission in Virginia was to steal lands to grow tobacco. Whatever the morality of Rolfe’s business venture, or of the colonialist project in which it formed a part, Rolfe was certainly a successful businessman, developing improved strains of the plant and shipping 40,000 pounds of it to England by the year 1620.

Tobacco was controversial among Europeans from the beginning. King James I called it “lothsome to the eye, hatefull to the Nose, harmefull to the braine, dangerous to the Lungs, and in the blacke stinking fume thereof, neerest resembling the horrible Stigian smoke of the pit that is bottomelesse.” James I wrote those words in 1604 – not coincidentally, the year in which the English imposed heavy tariffs on the importation of the stuff.

Tobacco was a lodestone for the economy of the American South, and the use of it was accordingly well-nigh everywhere. Soldiers and farmers chewed, smoked and dipped it.

The tobacco industry grew throughout the Americas, as well, and was especially closely linked to the life of Cuba, where the finest tobacco grew. The Crimean War (1853-1856) offered the plant another boost in popularity, as Turkish tobacco achieves general availability in Europe for the first time. Smoking rooms, smoking jackets, even smoking caps and slippers become part of every Victorian gentleman’s home, and fashion plate Prince Edward, despite his mother Queen Victoria’s well-known hatred of smoking, promotes smoking by his own well-remarked example. In 1855, the decade’s halfway point, Cuba exports 356.6 million cigars – a record yet to be equaled.

Cigar Fox provides the finest cigars that include brands like Cohiba, Montecristo, Gurkha, Macanudo, Rocky Patel, Romeo, Drew Estate, and many more. Other cigar products include cigar humidors, cigar boxes, and cigar accessories like Zippo Lighters. For more information, please visit www.cigarfox.com.

General Tobacco Appeals California Ruling – NACS Online

General Tobacco Appeals California Ruling NACS Online by RSS Feed by Email MAYODAN, NC – General Tobacco (GT) announced that it has appealed the interpretation of the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) by the … and more »

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Some Ky. tobacco farmers dealt late-season setback – The Associated Press

The Associated Press

Some Ky. tobacco farmers dealt late-season setback The Associated Press Recent heavy rains that soaked Kentucky delivered a late-season setback to some tobacco farmers as their leaf ripens, dampening their hopes for a bumper … and more »

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More CO2 for a Greener World: One From the Tobacco Advertiser’s … – Red, Green, and Blue

More CO2 for a Greener World: One From the Tobacco Advertiser's … Red, Green, and Blue In April of 1994 CEO's from the leading tobacco companies appeared before Congress and said, one by one and under oath, that nicotine was not addictive. … and more »

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Cigars were brought along during our first road trip through the American West. Our travel buddies were cigar smokers who, inspired by Clint Eastwood in “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly,” brought cigarillos along during our sojourn across the Mohave Desert. At night we camped out, and the cigars were companion accessories to the setting of cold nights out around the fire with the endless sky lit by a melee of diamond stars and surrounded by crisp, dry air delicately scented by the aroma of premium cigar smoke.

The American West has a great tradition of cigar consumption in the old saloons and on cattle drives. From the turn of the 19th century when cattle and railroad barons played poker and spun deals in St. Louis and San Francisco, to the turn of the 20th century when industrial giants like Henry Ford, J.P. Getty and Andrew Carnegie found themselves influencing the century that would see two world wars. The cigar was a companion in smoke-filled rooms and at secret poker tables. There was always a cigar-smoking gambler or two on stage coaches heading west, and after that aboard club cars on transcontinental trains from New York to Chicago to California. Cigars do indeed have a travel history in the American West.

“Cigar store Indians,” originally designed as plaques and statues representing Native Americans, became the symbol of tobacco and tobacco advertising during the early 19th and 20th centuries. These statues and plaques were most often used in stores, hotels and outside restaurants and bars to signal (often illiterate customers) the availability of tobacco, or that smoking was permitted inside the establishment. The complete, life-sized figures of “American Indians” were generally used by tobacco-shop owners, with smaller plaques used in general stores.

Images of Native Americans became connected with the sale of tobacco after American Indians introduced the plant to the Europeans who explored and settled in the Americas. Cigar store Indian statues first appeared in Europe, once tobacco was available there. The wooden carvings were based on images created by artists who matched descriptions, rather than first-hand viewings of actual Native Americans. The figures, which most often ended up looking like Europeans in Native American dress, were clothed in fringed buckskins, were draped in blankets and wore feathered headdresses. They did not actually resemble the members of any particular tribe. The sculptors carved chiefs, braves, princesses and maidens, sometimes with papooses. Most of the figures grasped tobacco or cigars in their hands or displayed leaves on their clothing. There were several artists in the United States who specialized in carving ship figureheads, architectural details and portrait busts, then turned to creating figures of American Indians full-time as demand increased. Names of note in this genre of carving are John Cromwell, Thomas Brooks, the Skillin family, and Samuel Robb, who operated studios in Northeastern cities and put out product catalogues.

Modern times have called for the image of the cigar store Indian to all but disappear, but the Native American will always be remembered as the source of our fine tobacco. When the occasion calls for a fine cigar, enjoy one–especially if you’re under western skies.

About the Author:

For access to the best Fine Cigars and Cigar accessories available check out the great deals available only on the authors website – http://www.davidoffmadison.com

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Western Travel, Cigars and Native American Images

“Chicago Bound” – Jimmy Rogers with Rod Piazza

Cigarette makers plan US Supreme Court appeal – Reuters

National Post

Cigarette makers plan US Supreme Court appeal Reuters NEW YORK, Sept 29 (Reuters) – Several tobacco companies plan to ask the US Supreme Court to overturn a May ruling in a racketeering … Cigarette Makers Plan Appeal To US Supreme CourtMyStateline.com all 31 news articles »

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Seeking Billions, Ontario Sues Tobacco Companies – New York Times

CKCO

Seeking Billions, Ontario Sues Tobacco Companies New York Times OTTAWA — The Province of Ontario filed a lawsuit on Tuesday seeking 50 billion Canadian dollars from several tobacco companies to recover … Ontario files suit against tobaccoThe Associated Press Tobacco sales to minors hit record lowBizjournals.com Would you buy Brand X cigarettes?BBC News Bloomberg -RTT News -London Free Press all 397 news articles »

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Will the federal ban on flavored tobacco products do any good? – Kansas City Star

The Money Times

Will the federal ban on flavored tobacco products do any good? Kansas City Star The move was through the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, which President Barack Obama signed in June. “These flavored cigarettes are a … Clove and tobacco importer sues FDA to prevent banThe Associated Press State, feds must go farther on tobaccoBaltimore Sun Group wants more tobacco taxes to fund anti-tobacco educationHudson Hub-Times Washington Times -The Exponent -Canada.com all 154 news articles »

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General Tobacco Appeals California Ruling – NACS Online

General Tobacco Appeals California Ruling NACS Online by RSS Feed by Email MAYODAN, NC – General Tobacco (GT) announced that it has appealed the interpretation of the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) by the … and more »

Source: news.google.com

The ABCs of Cigar Humidors

Casual cigar owners often ask themselves: is a humidor really necessary? The answer is: only if you care about the quality and taste of your cigars.

After all, for some smokers, the after-dinner cigar is more symbolic than anything – a conspicuous display, perhaps, of taste and leisure, or a social or familial ritual. If, however, you smoke for taste – which is the best reason to smoke – you should probably invest in a humidor: a specially-constructed box designed to maintain your cigars in near-70% humidity and at a proper temperature when they’re not being smoked.

To understand why humidors are so important, remember what a cigar essentially is. It’s a set of rolled-up tobacco leaves that have been cut, dried, cured, and fermented, then maintained at a very slight but essential level of moisture. If the cigar dries out completely – as can happen in open air, at the wrong temperature, or in low humidity – it loses its taste. If it’s kept in an airtight environment, on the other hand, the necessary low level of moisture will, over time, cause mold. A cigar requires a very special set of conditions in order to maintain optimum taste.

The humidity in which cigars are stored is important because of the specific conditions in which most tobacco is grown. The natural climate for most such areas is in the neighborhood of 70% relative humidity; the tobacco plant has evolved for such a climate. Thus, humidity control is the sine qua non of a humidor – without that, it’s not a humidor but a box with cigars in it. Humidors are able to maintain a relatively consistent humidity level partly because of the relatively porous wood used to line them (Spanish cedar and Honduran mahogany are popular choices for this reason).

Most humidors also, of course, have some sort of device that maintains moisture levels; some use hygrometers, which indicate interior humidity. (Digital hygrometers tend to be more accurate, though they lack the old-fashioned appeal of dial hygrometers.)

When packing your humidor, make sure you leave some room between the cigars to allow air to circulate between them. (Again, you want to avoid an airtight fit, which would promote mold. On the other hand, too much empty space will allow that all-important humidity level to drop. Check on your cigars frequently, at least once a week, to ensure that nothing needs to be adjusted). The cigars should, at best, exude a small amount of oil when stored; this is a sign that the humidor is working. Slight amounts of water can be added if cigars start to dry out.

If your cigars suffer an attack of tobacco beetles – a species of beetle that preys on tobacco and can sometimes bore through a humidor – you’ve probably been keeping the temperature in the box a touch too high (tobacco beetles flourish at temperatures over 75 degrees.) Remove the affected cigars and put them in your freezer for 48 hours, then move them to your refrigerator for another day, following which they should be safely returnable to the humidor.

Spanish-cedar humidors are a popular choice. This wood, as mentioned above, holds moisture well, maintaining humidity, and it holds an aroma many consumers find pleasant and complementary to that of the cigars themselves. It’s also slightly favored for keeping tobacco beetles out, and it doesn’t warp in high humidity.

When you buy your humidor, “season” it by applying a moist cloth to the interior wood and then leaving a small, closed container of water inside the humidor for 12 hours. If the humidor “drinks up” most of the water, leaving the container near-empty after 12 hours, repeat the process for another 24 hours. Once the water stops evaporating, the humidor is ready for your cigars!

Cigar Fox provides the finest cigars that include brands like Cohiba, Montecristo, Gurkha, Macanudo, Rocky Patel, Romeo, Drew Estate, and many more. Other cigar products include cigar humidors, cigar boxes, and cigar accessories like Zippo Lighters. For more information, please visit www.cigarfox.com.

Senate could gut proposed flavoured-tobacco controls – Canada.com

Global

Senate could gut proposed flavoured-tobacco controls Canada.com In addition to banning "kiddie packs" of little flavoured cigars called cigarillos, the Cracking Down on Tobacco Marketing Aimed at Youth Act proposes to … Senate Must Not Bow to Tobacco Industry by Amending C-32: Lung …SYS-CON Media (press release) Candy-flavoured mini-cigars still being sold: GelinasNorthernLife.ca Banning of Cigarillos: House of sober second thought?Western Standard (blog) all 24 news articles »

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Tobacco giant makes its mark on DC smoking legislation – Washington Examiner

National Post

Tobacco giant makes its mark on DC smoking legislation Washington Examiner The largest tobacco manufacturer in the United States is supporting a DC Council proposal that would limit the sale of some tobacco products and regulate … Fed Appeals Court Revives Suit Against Philip Morris, AltriaLeagle, Inc. Council Considering 2 Smoking BillsNews Channel 8 Appeals Court Breathes New Life Into Smoker's Suit Against Philip …Attorney at Law American Medical News -DCist.com -Courthouse News Service all 43 news articles »

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Study shows bans on tobacco curb heart attack rates – Adventist News Network

Adventist News Network

Study shows bans on tobacco curb heart attack rates Adventist News Network "As early as 1866, the fledgling Adventist church linked tobacco to poor health, and we were very vocal about something that wasn't accepted by the … Smoking bans prevent heart attacks, studies showThe Herald-Times (subscription) Why are smoking bans so good at cutting heart attack rates?Times Online all 11 news articles »

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Continued increases in taxes and duties on tobacco products in the United Kingdom has caused many people to import their cigarettes, rolling tobacco, pipe tobacco and cigars from cheaper sources.

Although there are ongoing campaigns and increasing help and support for people to give up smoking, many “hardened” smokers do not want to give up smoking. But as prices increase they are finding it more and more expensive to supply their habit. Many smokers have stopped buying cigarettes and instead they now buy rolling tobacco and roll their own cigarettes. This has been good for the manufacturers of tobacco brands such as Golden Virginia, Amber Leaf and Cutters Choice, three of the most popular brands.

This has lead to more smokers turning to overseas supplies for their stocks. Most European countries sell the same brands as the United Kingdom, but at cheaper prices.

Many people are taking short trips over to France, Belgium and Spain, to bring back their tobacco and cigarettes duty free, while many are using the services of internet websites that send goods directly to them. It has also increased the instances of smuggling, by both organized criminals and ordinary people. You will find people in every city and town in the United Kingdom selling cheaper cigarettes and tobacco in pubs and cafes.

All of these methods deprive the United Kingdom economy of huge amounts of revenue, but this has not urged the British government to reduce the duties which would increase purchases from shops in Britain and perhaps increase employment.

About the Author:

Dave Simmons runs www.tobaccoking.co.uk which supplies cheap cigarettes, tobacco and cigars.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Ever increasing taxes on cigarettes and tobacco

Oliva Tobacco Company President – Interview #1