halfwheel

Weekly News (May 27, 2013)

Editor’s Note: I’ve never made these columns about my personal life. Many others do it in their blogs—most notably Jerry Cruz, who does it better than I ever could—but for me, it’s only been personal views about this industry. Over the last few months, as I transition in my personal life, I’ve been asked about [...]

News: California’s SB 768 Stalls

California Senate Bill 768, which would more than double the tax on cigars and other tobacco products as a byproduct of a $2 increase on the tax on cigarettes, has stalled temporarily in committee. On May 20, the state senate’s Appropriations Committee voted 6-0 to place the bill in its suspense file, effectively slowing down [...]

News: California Bill Introduced to Raise Cigar Taxes

In late February, a bill was introduced in the California State Senate that would raise taxes on all tobacco products, including cigars. Introduced by Sen. Kevin de León (D-22), SB-768 would increase taxes on non-cigarette tobacco products, which includes cigars, to 67.41% from its current 30.68% according to a staff analysis by the California State [...]

Weekly News (March 25, 2013)

Editor’s Note: Yes, for the first time since in almost three years, there was no Weekly News, three times. A combination of technical and human error combined with further misjudgment led to the absence of the Monday fixture, but alas, it’s back. Things are hectic at halfwheel, and the last time this column was published, [...]

News: Mobile Cigar Lounges Banned in California

A recent ruling by California’s Board of Equalization has determined that mobile cigar lounges are not allowable under their interpretation of the California Cigarette & Tobacco Products Licensing Act of 2003. The ruling means that the CigaRV, based in Concord, Calif., will be ceasing operations. In a story first reported by the Concord Patch, CigaRV’s owner, [...]

News: San Rafael, CA Enacts Strict Anti-Smoking Legislation

The city of San Rafael, CA is making it tough for its residents and visitors to enjoy a smoke of any kind thanks to strict new legislation that was passed on Monday. The ordinance passed Monday night gives the city the toughest anti-smoking stance in Marin County, which is located just north of San Francisco. [...]

Press Release: Another S.F. Landmark Under Fire

September 18, 2012 (San Francisco, CA) – Grant’s Pipe Shop is San Francisco’s oldest operating traditional tobacco shop, and its historic walk-in humidor was the first in the State of California. Premium Tobacco enthusiasts from around the world have been stopping by Grant’s Pipe Shop’s current Market Street location since 1963, but the shop’s history begins with the [...]

News: Prop. 29 Recount Requested

According to a report Friday in the Sacramento Bee, a request has been submitted for a recount of the votes cast for Proposition 29 in parts of Los Angeles County. Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Dean Logan confirmed to the paper on Thursday that the request was filed, with 191 precincts being selected for the recount. According to [...]

News: Gardena, CA Bans Sale of Single Cigars

According to a report from DailyBreeze.com, the City Council of Gardena, CA passed a piece of legislation at their meeting on Tuesday that bansned the sale of single cigars in the city. However, the specific effects on brick-and-mortar tobacconists remains somewhat cloudy. The bill bans the sale of single cigars and cigarillos at stores that [...]

News: California Town Debates Outlawing Single Cigar Sales

Gardena, CA, an almost 60,000 person city located within Los Angeles County, will debate an ordinance that would make it illegal to purchase single cigars within city limits. The Gardena City Council will look at the measure as an attempt to restrict underage youth from purchasing cigars. Councilman Dan Medina, the person who introduced the [...]