Which are the most cigar-friendly states? - Page 2

ApexAZ · 10-03-2014, 11:53 AM

There is a complete resource somewhere concerning state taxes.

I'm not sure what Smokin5 meant with this though: "Gotta agree AZ is OK, but unless you're somewhere with a
"grandfathered" smoking lounge, you're out of luck smoking
anywhere inside."

It was my understanding that if you are a smoke shop, you can smoke inside. Perhaps something has changed, but every B&M I've been to has allowed smoking inside. It's true that other businesses (like a bar or restaurant) can not legally allow smoking, but I'm not sure if such a state exists, and even if it does, it's likely that won't last forever.

Phoenix has a couple nice cigar bars. I am fortunate enough to live a few miles from one of the better ones. This place really is a life-saver during the summer months. It's nice to be able to go into a climate controlled bar and have a cigar and whisky

They are the only bars you can smoke in and they get away with it because their tobacco sales exceed liquor sales, so they are primarily a tobacconist. During the winter I spend a lot more time on my patio enjoying the nicer weather.

I think Texas and AZ are going to be very similar in terms of being cigar friendly. Both are very gun friendly too, which of course NYC is not. We have some pretty good 'cue also, but nothing can stand up to the legendary Texas barbecue!

Edit: To add, the California recommendations make some valid points in that they seem to have a great community with lots of organized herfs.

mahtofire14 · 10-03-2014, 02:07 PM

MN sure isn't. While there are a few nice b&m's around which you can smoke inside, the price of tobacco is about twice as much as average prices.

mosesbotbol · 10-03-2014, 03:44 PM

Colorado??

Denver airport has a "bring your own" cigar lounge/bar right in the middle

the nub · 10-03-2014, 09:43 PM

I'd say sober is a pretty friendly state. Slightly intoxicated is usually pretty friendly also. Fallin ass drunk would be a very sorry state, though.

ColdCuts · 10-04-2014, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the nub

I'd say sober is a pretty friendly state. Slightly intoxicated is usually pretty friendly also. Fallin ass drunk would be a very sorry state, though.

You know, it's occurred to me that a better title for this thread might've been, "U.S. residents, is your state cigar-friendly or not?

All US-based members could then chime in about the degree of cigar-friendlyness where they are. It's a tougher thing to ask folks about places they don't know. That's my shortsightedness.

shark · 10-04-2014, 11:18 AM

Not Michigan, either. High tobacco taxes and no smoking allowed indoors at any establishments at all except for casinos, tobacco shops, or cigar bars. Cigar bars are a funny thing here, in that they have to make at least 10% of their revenue from tobacco sales in order to allow smoking indoors. Oh yeah, and any bar with outside seating, still no smoking. Gee, I feel so lucky that the gov't. in Lansing still allows me to smoke at home!

Gabe215 · 10-04-2014, 11:25 AM

I'd say Florida, PA has a low tax as well, tons of B&M's but cigars are part of Floridas culture so it's very smoke friendly!

JohnRogers · 10-04-2014, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

Oklahoma is cigar friendly.

I have to agree. I've been benchmarking cigar lounges in many states getting ready to open one in Oklahoma. Law and Tax wise Oklahoma is pretty damn good, we just need more lounges...heh-heh let me get back to work on that.

mosesbotbol · 10-05-2014, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnRogers

I have to agree. I've been benchmarking cigar lounges in many states getting ready to open one in Oklahoma. Law and Tax wise Oklahoma is pretty damn good, we just need more lounges...heh-heh let me get back to work on that.

Make the cigar lounge look like Juniors in OKC. Mad Men and bordello cross, but add some modern touches.

mahtofire14 · 10-05-2014, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shark

Not Michigan, either. High tobacco taxes and no smoking allowed indoors at any establishments at all except for casinos, tobacco shops, or cigar bars. Cigar bars are a funny thing here, in that they have to make at least 10% of their revenue from tobacco sales in order to allow smoking indoors. Oh yeah, and any bar with outside seating, still no smoking. Gee, I feel so lucky that the gov't. in Lansing still allows me to smoke at home!

I'm waiting for the day they tell us we can't smoke in our backyards!

smokin5 · 10-06-2014, 09:56 PM

[quote=ApexAZ;1990408]
I'm not sure what Smokin5 meant with this though: "Gotta agree AZ is OK, but unless you're somewhere with a
"grandfathered" smoking lounge, you're out of luck smoking
anywhere inside."

It was my understanding that if you are a smoke shop, you can smoke inside. Perhaps something has changed, but every B&M I've been to has allowed smoking inside. It's true that other businesses (like a bar or restaurant) can not legally allow smoking, but I'm not sure if such a state exists, and even if it does, it's likely that won't last forever.

8 * * * * *

What I meant was that you cannot open a NEW cigar lounge in AZ,
at least that's my understanding. The ones that existed when the
smoking ban kicked in a few years back (i.e., "grandfathered" in legal
jargon) are allowed to continue, but no new ones will be approved
by the powers that be. In the case of my town, no cigar lounges
exist, so we can be assured we'll never see one here. Then again,
with my deck & den operating as a regular 'nonprofit' cigar lounge,
I don't really care whether we get a real lounge. My friends come
to my place for a smoke & a joke.

RandJCigars · 10-08-2014, 12:31 PM

As far as Taxes are concerned...Florida and Pennsylvania both have $0.00 tax on Premium Cigars...Texas is a close second/third with $0.011 tax per cigar; in other words, for a box of cigars, the tax in Texas is like $0.30...

10-08-2014, 04:23 PM

FL hands down. Big cigar industry in Tampa and Miami and lowest cigar taxes in US. Plenty of cigar lounges and B&M's and lots of local pubs that are cigar friendly.

ColdCuts · 10-09-2014, 11:05 AM

I found this handy 2014 tax chart...

http://www.taxadmin.org/fta/rate/otp.pdf

Now, if only I could find a similar chart that breaks down all the bans and anti-smoking laws.

ApexAZ · 10-09-2014, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokin5

What I meant was that you cannot open a NEW cigar lounge in AZ,
at least that's my understanding. The ones that existed when the
smoking ban kicked in a few years back (i.e., "grandfathered" in legal
jargon) are allowed to continue, but no new ones will be approved
by the powers that be. In the case of my town, no cigar lounges
exist, so we can be assured we'll never see one here. Then again,
with my deck & den operating as a regular 'nonprofit' cigar lounge,
I don't really care whether we get a real lounge. My friends come
to my place for a smoke & a joke.

I gotcha. Where abouts are you located in AZ? I know my cigar lounge opened another store about 2 years ago and planning a new one in Scottsdale. Perhaps this is a city/county law, or perhaps since they are already established as a tobacco dealer, they can branch out?

I'll ask them next time I'm in.

smokin5 · 10-09-2014, 03:02 PM

Oops, I was wrong about the 'grandfathered' tobacco store in AZ.
At least under the applicable state law, smoking is permitted in a retail
tobacco store which "derives a majority of its sales from tobacco
products and accessories". no language about only existing shops.
My bad. Carry on.....

STEVE S · 10-09-2014, 03:54 PM

I live in Florida, and we can smoke our cigars out doors almost any where. We have many B&M, and all most no taxes on cigars.

shilala · 10-09-2014, 04:31 PM

I lived in PA my first 40 some-odd years. They pretty much expected you to smoke a cigar. Everybody loved a cigar, and if you wandered in with a pipe, people were happy for it. I don't think there's anyone in the world who doesn't like the smell of a good pipe tobacco.
There are tons of cigar stores in PA, and anywhere smoking is allowed, cigars are welcome. The anti-smoking laws are very lenient compared to other states. There are loads of places folks can smoke indoors.

I'm in Ohio now, and I can't say that the folks here are any less tolerant. The taxes are decent, and there are lots of B&M's. Fewer places where someone can smoke inside, but I'm close to Cleveland. Just a little bit down the road there are plenty of bars where you can smoke, and just about every bar has a smoking tent, porch, or whatever.

I'd say both states are pretty pro-get your smoke on.

10-03-2014, 11:53 AM	#21
ApexAZ Wandering aimlessly Join Date: Oct 2011 First Name: Brian Location: Sonoran Desert Posts: 1,299 Trading: (10)	Re: Which are the most cigar-friendly states? There is a complete resource somewhere concerning state taxes. I'm not sure what Smokin5 meant with this though: "Gotta agree AZ is OK, but unless you're somewhere with a "grandfathered" smoking lounge, you're out of luck smoking anywhere inside." It was my understanding that if you are a smoke shop, you can smoke inside. Perhaps something has changed, but every B&M I've been to has allowed smoking inside. It's true that other businesses (like a bar or restaurant) can not legally allow smoking, but I'm not sure if such a state exists, and even if it does, it's likely that won't last forever. Phoenix has a couple nice cigar bars. I am fortunate enough to live a few miles from one of the better ones. This place really is a life-saver during the summer months. It's nice to be able to go into a climate controlled bar and have a cigar and whisky They are the only bars you can smoke in and they get away with it because their tobacco sales exceed liquor sales, so they are primarily a tobacconist. During the winter I spend a lot more time on my patio enjoying the nicer weather. I think Texas and AZ are going to be very similar in terms of being cigar friendly. Both are very gun friendly too, which of course NYC is not. We have some pretty good 'cue also, but nothing can stand up to the legendary Texas barbecue! Edit: To add, the California recommendations make some valid points in that they seem to have a great community with lots of organized herfs.

10-03-2014, 02:07 PM	#22
mahtofire14 Chillin in the Aging Room Join Date: Oct 2012 First Name: Pete Location: St. Paul, MN Posts: 1,588 Trading: (16)	Re: Which are the most cigar-friendly states? MN sure isn't. While there are a few nice b&m's around which you can smoke inside, the price of tobacco is about twice as much as average prices. __________________ Saving basements in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

10-03-2014, 03:44 PM	#23
mosesbotbol That's a Corgi Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Moses Location: Boston Posts: 6,171 Trading: (6)	Re: Which are the most cigar-friendly states? Colorado?? Denver airport has a "bring your own" cigar lounge/bar right in the middle __________________ Port Wine & Claret \| British Cars \| Welsh Corgi's

10-03-2014, 09:43 PM	#24
the nub Papa Chino Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Nanaimo, BC Posts: 320 Trading: (2)	Re: Which are the most cigar-friendly states? I'd say sober is a pretty friendly state. Slightly intoxicated is usually pretty friendly also. Fallin ass drunk would be a very sorry state, though.

10-04-2014, 11:18 AM	#26
shark Cigar Smokin' Patriot Join Date: Sep 2009 First Name: Ron Location: Michigan Posts: 3,566 Trading: (0)	Re: Which are the most cigar-friendly states? Not Michigan, either. High tobacco taxes and no smoking allowed indoors at any establishments at all except for casinos, tobacco shops, or cigar bars. Cigar bars are a funny thing here, in that they have to make at least 10% of their revenue from tobacco sales in order to allow smoking indoors. Oh yeah, and any bar with outside seating, still no smoking. Gee, I feel so lucky that the gov't. in Lansing still allows me to smoke at home! __________________ Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery None but ourselves can free our minds

10-04-2014, 11:25 AM	#27
Gabe215 Have My Own Room Join Date: Nov 2012 First Name: Gabe Location: Philadelphia Posts: 1,120 Trading: (20)	Re: Which are the most cigar-friendly states? I'd say Florida, PA has a low tax as well, tons of B&M's but cigars are part of Floridas culture so it's very smoke friendly!

10-06-2014, 09:56 PM	#31
smokin5 Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: On the Mountaintop - AZ Posts: 2,002 Trading: (69)	Re: Which are the most cigar-friendly states? [quote=ApexAZ;1990408] I'm not sure what Smokin5 meant with this though: "Gotta agree AZ is OK, but unless you're somewhere with a "grandfathered" smoking lounge, you're out of luck smoking anywhere inside." It was my understanding that if you are a smoke shop, you can smoke inside. Perhaps something has changed, but every B&M I've been to has allowed smoking inside. It's true that other businesses (like a bar or restaurant) can not legally allow smoking, but I'm not sure if such a state exists, and even if it does, it's likely that won't last forever. 8 * * * * * What I meant was that you cannot open a NEW cigar lounge in AZ, at least that's my understanding. The ones that existed when the smoking ban kicked in a few years back (i.e., "grandfathered" in legal jargon) are allowed to continue, but no new ones will be approved by the powers that be. In the case of my town, no cigar lounges exist, so we can be assured we'll never see one here. Then again, with my deck & den operating as a regular 'nonprofit' cigar lounge, I don't really care whether we get a real lounge. My friends come to my place for a smoke & a joke. __________________ Pobody's Nerfect.

10-08-2014, 12:31 PM	#32
RandJCigars JSR Join Date: Jan 2011 First Name: Jimmy Location: Friendswood Posts: 105 Trading: (3)	Re: Which are the most cigar-friendly states? As far as Taxes are concerned...Florida and Pennsylvania both have $0.00 tax on Premium Cigars...Texas is a close second/third with $0.011 tax per cigar; in other words, for a box of cigars, the tax in Texas is like $0.30... __________________ R & J Cigars - JSR Cigar Distributors, LLC 713-340-2428

10-08-2014, 04:23 PM	#33
badbriar Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Which are the most cigar-friendly states? FL hands down. Big cigar industry in Tampa and Miami and lowest cigar taxes in US. Plenty of cigar lounges and B&M's and lots of local pubs that are cigar friendly.

10-09-2014, 11:05 AM	#34
ColdCuts Adjusting to the Life Join Date: Aug 2009 First Name: Dave Location: Queens, NY Posts: 375 Trading: (10)	Re: Which are the most cigar-friendly states? I found this handy 2014 tax chart... http://www.taxadmin.org/fta/rate/otp.pdf Now, if only I could find a similar chart that breaks down all the bans and anti-smoking laws. __________________

10-09-2014, 03:02 PM	#36
smokin5 Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: On the Mountaintop - AZ Posts: 2,002 Trading: (69)	Re: Which are the most cigar-friendly states? Oops, I was wrong about the 'grandfathered' tobacco store in AZ. At least under the applicable state law, smoking is permitted in a retail tobacco store which "derives a majority of its sales from tobacco products and accessories". no language about only existing shops. My bad. Carry on..... __________________ Pobody's Nerfect.

10-09-2014, 03:54 PM	#37
STEVE S Have My Own Room Join Date: Jan 2010 First Name: Steve Location: Coconut Creek, Fl. Posts: 1,092 Trading: (1)	Re: Which are the most cigar-friendly states? I live in Florida, and we can smoke our cigars out doors almost any where. We have many B&M, and all most no taxes on cigars. __________________ Smoking cigars is a hobby and a great way to pass the time of day!

10-09-2014, 04:31 PM	#38
shilala Dear Lord, Thank You. Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Scott Posts: 13,721 Trading: (252)	Re: Which are the most cigar-friendly states? I lived in PA my first 40 some-odd years. They pretty much expected you to smoke a cigar. Everybody loved a cigar, and if you wandered in with a pipe, people were happy for it. I don't think there's anyone in the world who doesn't like the smell of a good pipe tobacco. There are tons of cigar stores in PA, and anywhere smoking is allowed, cigars are welcome. The anti-smoking laws are very lenient compared to other states. There are loads of places folks can smoke indoors. I'm in Ohio now, and I can't say that the folks here are any less tolerant. The taxes are decent, and there are lots of B&M's. Fewer places where someone can smoke inside, but I'm close to Cleveland. Just a little bit down the road there are plenty of bars where you can smoke, and just about every bar has a smoking tent, porch, or whatever. I'd say both states are pretty pro-get your smoke on. __________________