OT - Attention All Cigar Smokers!!

[Lil bastard]

I'm sure many of you are aware that the first TAX (of many) that Obama has signed into Law was the SCHIP Bill (State Children’s Health Insurance Program).

This program, while argueably laudible, uses the sale of Tobacco products to fund it (let's not do something smart like taxing cereal, which children actually eat, and which would provide much more funding to the program, but I digress).

This Tax goes into effect @12:01am 4/1/09.

It will equal 52.75% of the manufacturer's price (capped at $40.26 per cigar - cigars of $80 or more). This is a 32.05% increase over the current tax and is retroactive to all existing shop inventories as of 12:01am on 4/1/09.

So, now is the time to stock up and fill your humidors. Not only will you save the Tax, but vendors are right now offering very nice deals in order to reduce their inventries by the April 1st deadline.

Unfortunately, this will negatively affect sales and probably force many cigar stores out of business, cost jobs, and further depress our current economic climate.

But hey, such is the price of Socialism I guess. Can't wait til the Dems cast their predatory eyes toward motoring enthusiasts and collectors - it's gonna happen!