Which are the most cigar-friendly states?

ColdCuts · 10-01-2014, 04:01 PM

After nearly fifteen years, I'm getting tired of NYC. Let's say I was going to relocate. For the sake of this thread, let's say cigars are the single most important thing in my life. To which state should I move to enjoy the most freedom cigar-wise?

ApexAZ · 10-01-2014, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ColdCuts

After nearly fifteen years, I'm getting tired of NYC. Let's say I was going to relocate. For the sake of this thread, let's say cigars are the single most important thing in my life. To which state should I move to enjoy the most freedom cigar-wise?

I feel pretty fortunate in AZ. Tax is like a flat 25 cents per cigar, or something like that. I go to Fox Cigar Bar and smoke and drink to my hearts content. I smoke outdoors to my hearts content.

I burn up in miserable 115 "dry" heat in the summer, which results in a much bigger monthly bar tab at Fox in the cool AC

But right now it's about 90 and I'm enjoying a pipe in the courtyard outside of my work. It's very nice right now.

I think Texas is pretty good for cigars too.

The Poet · 10-01-2014, 04:47 PM

Hey, I'm not hassled here, and I'm only 25 miles from Manhattan. Just today I lit one up in front of 4 borough officers and, as usual, got no more than a friendly nod. Doesn't hurt that they know me, nor that half the force moonlights as security at JRs in Whippany, about a 10-minute drive away, with a bar (and bar food), two lounges, and barn-sized walk-in.

Taxes don't bug me, since I purchase online.

longknocker · 10-01-2014, 05:10 PM

Alabama Is Good. Cheap Taxes & You Can Smoke "Almost" Anywhere.

WhiteMamba · 10-01-2014, 05:19 PM

I have no idea but given that CI and Famous Smoke are in Pennsylvania I would think that they must not be too bad.

AdamJoshua · 10-01-2014, 07:25 PM

It's not California, insane tax, land of the dem so you can't smoke anywhere, a couple nice small B&Ms with very comfy chairs (no one expects the Spanish Inquisition!), beer and wine, yet we have the S.H.I.T. herf crew, while we don't have places with barn-sized walk in humidors, we do have 932,012 small craft breweries, the annual SoCal mega Herf and the average temp is something like 72 degrees.

Sweet_Leaf_PDX · 10-01-2014, 09:01 PM

Of all the places I have been... I would say Texas.

RWhisenand · 10-01-2014, 10:41 PM

Nevada, I think pretty much everything is legal here.

Remo · 10-01-2014, 10:42 PM

Ummmm.....Florida

azar · 10-02-2014, 12:04 AM

I like Wyoming myself. Not many B&M's but the internet is pretty easy!

smokin5 · 10-02-2014, 10:51 AM

Gotta agree AZ is OK, but unless you're somewhere with a
"grandfathered" smoking lounge, you're out of luck smoking
anywhere inside. Of course you can smoke at home, like me.
And don't forget, there's plenty of places in AZ where you don't
have to live in the kiln that is Phoenix/Tucson area. Just head
for the mountains. I live a mile high & no unbearable summers.
That said, we DO have winter, though, including snow.
As a former NYer myself, I'd say it's a far better place to live
than NYC.

nutcracker · 10-02-2014, 11:05 AM

Cuba

CigarNut · 10-02-2014, 11:17 AM

For me it is difficult to separate "Cigar Friendly" from the weather. For example, Oregon's smoking laws are pretty tough. You can't smoke indoors with a few exceptions: you can smoke in some cigar stores (no alcohol for sale) and we have a few pretty good cigar lounges where you can smoke, drink, eat and watch sports on TV.

You cannot smoke outside in most public areas. But you can smoke outside at home (single family dwellings). The temps don't hit extremes so smoking outside is fine from late spring through early fall; however, you may need some overhead protection for the rain. If you have an outdoor heater you can smoke outdoors other times of the year.

I like to smoke outside, so for me Oregon is cigar friendly. States where the heat or cold can be extreme would not be cigar friendly for me. I have also found California to be cigar friendly when I visit, but I don't live there, so take that with a grain of salt.

Just my

...

mosesbotbol · 10-02-2014, 11:31 AM

Oklahoma is cigar friendly.

nutcracker · 10-02-2014, 01:00 PM

Not moving too far, isn't New Jersey a bit easier??
(I've also enjoyed great lounges in Texas* and Rhode Island in particular though)

I'm a visitor when in the US, so my perception is different.

*Texas is also blessed with some knockout women

Dave128 · 10-02-2014, 01:09 PM

If you want to get away from the city life, Upstate NY isn't too shabby (I'm talking Albany and north). Other than a couple months out of the year due to cold temps, I smoke to my hearts content on either my front porch or back deck. I also have a really nice B&M five minutes away from my house that has a large lounge and huge walk-in.

The Poet · 10-02-2014, 03:22 PM

Dave has a point about upstate NY, though there's no guarantee that Cuomo won't eventually "Bloomberg" it too.

Dude Here · 10-02-2014, 03:26 PM

I would say Florida, with Texas as a close second.

mosesbotbol · 10-02-2014, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave128

I also have a really nice B&M five minutes away from my house that has a large lounge and huge walk-in.

There's a cigar lounge 2 miles from my house I have never been to. Living room or kitchen are my favorite places to smoke a cigar.

ColdCuts · 10-03-2014, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nutcracker

Not moving too far, isn't New Jersey a bit easier??
(I've also enjoyed great lounges in Texas* and Rhode Island in particular though)

I'm a visitor when in the US, so my perception is different.

*Texas is also blessed with some knockout women

Majority of votes are for Texas so far. Knockout women are certainly a plus.

I won't bring it up to the wife if I pitch a proposal to move there. She's actually from Texas, but is hesitant to move back. The times I've been, I've liked Texas quite a lot.

Just for fun, here are the current standings, arranged first by number of votes and alphabetical:

Texas 4 - Knockout women, and I'll add 'amazing BBQ'

Arizona 2 - Flat $0.25 per cigar tax
Florida 2
New Jersey 2 - Home of barn-sized JR Cigar stores
New York (upstate) 2

Alabama - Cheap taxes, smoke almost anywhere
California - Tough taxes and bans, but the weather is nice
Massachusetts
Nevada - Everything is legal!
Oklahoma
Oregon - Tough taxes and bans, but the weather is nice
Pennsylvania - Home to CI and Famous
Rhode Island
Wyoming

*Vote for Cuba excluded for not being one of the United States.

Joking aside, you'd think there'd be a complete resource where this kind of information would be all in one place. You know?

10-01-2014, 04:01 PM	#1
ColdCuts Adjusting to the Life Join Date: Aug 2009 First Name: Dave Location: Queens, NY Posts: 375 Trading: (10)	Which are the most cigar-friendly states? After nearly fifteen years, I'm getting tired of NYC. Let's say I was going to relocate. For the sake of this thread, let's say cigars are the single most important thing in my life. To which state should I move to enjoy the most freedom cigar-wise? __________________

10-01-2014, 04:47 PM	#3
The Poet Il megglior fabbro Join Date: Jun 2009 First Name: Thomas Location: Hickory, NC Posts: 8,420 Trading: (2)	Re: Which are the most cigar-friendly states? Hey, I'm not hassled here, and I'm only 25 miles from Manhattan. Just today I lit one up in front of 4 borough officers and, as usual, got no more than a friendly nod. Doesn't hurt that they know me, nor that half the force moonlights as security at JRs in Whippany, about a 10-minute drive away, with a bar (and bar food), two lounges, and barn-sized walk-in. Taxes don't bug me, since I purchase online. __________________ Ninety percent of everything is crap - Theodore Sturgeon.

10-01-2014, 05:10 PM	#4
longknocker Postwhore Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Greg Location: Mobile, Alabama Posts: 11,162 Trading: (82)	Re: Which are the most cigar-friendly states? Alabama Is Good. Cheap Taxes & You Can Smoke "Almost" Anywhere.

10-01-2014, 05:19 PM	#5
WhiteMamba I'm scared of Neil. Join Date: Mar 2014 First Name: Michael Location: Catawba, NC Posts: 2,135 Trading: (28)	Re: Which are the most cigar-friendly states? I have no idea but given that CI and Famous Smoke are in Pennsylvania I would think that they must not be too bad. __________________ Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Romans 12:10

10-01-2014, 07:25 PM	#6
AdamJoshua Article 4 Free Inhabitant Join Date: Jan 2013 First Name: The Other Adam Location: Satellite Beach Posts: 14,787 Trading: (40)	Re: Which are the most cigar-friendly states? It's not California, insane tax, land of the dem so you can't smoke anywhere, a couple nice small B&Ms with very comfy chairs (no one expects the Spanish Inquisition!), beer and wine, yet we have the S.H.I.T. herf crew, while we don't have places with barn-sized walk in humidors, we do have 932,012 small craft breweries, the annual SoCal mega Herf and the average temp is something like 72 degrees.

10-01-2014, 09:01 PM	#7
Sweet_Leaf_PDX Feeling at Home Join Date: May 2013 First Name: Jason Location: Portland, OR Posts: 605 Trading: (11)	Re: Which are the most cigar-friendly states? Of all the places I have been... I would say Texas.

10-01-2014, 10:41 PM	#8
RWhisenand Feeling at Home Join Date: Aug 2011 First Name: Rob Location: Nevada Posts: 798 Trading: (7)	Re: Which are the most cigar-friendly states? Nevada, I think pretty much everything is legal here. __________________ No function well beer without.

10-01-2014, 10:42 PM	#9
Remo C.I.A Join Date: Feb 2011 First Name: Mike Location: Palm Harbor, Florida Posts: 12,597 Trading: (122)	Re: Which are the most cigar-friendly states? Ummmm.....Florida __________________

10-02-2014, 12:04 AM	#10
azar It is what it is! Join Date: Feb 2014 First Name: Mack Location: Shoshoni Wyoming Posts: 471 Trading: (18)	Re: Which are the most cigar-friendly states? I like Wyoming myself. Not many B&M's but the internet is pretty easy! __________________ Hunt, Fish, Smoke, Sleep Repeat...

10-02-2014, 10:51 AM	#11
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? Gotta agree AZ is OK, but unless you're somewhere with a "grandfathered" smoking lounge, you're out of luck smoking anywhere inside. Of course you can smoke at home, like me. And don't forget, there's plenty of places in AZ where you don't have to live in the kiln that is Phoenix/Tucson area. Just head for the mountains. I live a mile high & no unbearable summers. That said, we DO have winter, though, including snow. As a former NYer myself, I'd say it's a far better place to live than NYC. __________________ Pobody's Nerfect.

10-02-2014, 11:05 AM	#12
nutcracker Shameless epicurian Join Date: Apr 2014 First Name: Neil Location: Winnipeg, Canada - Home of the Jets! Posts: 1,631 Trading: (26)	Re: Which are the most cigar-friendly states? Cuba __________________ "Well I ain't often right but I've never been wrong.... Jerry Garcia (R.I.P.)

10-02-2014, 11:17 AM	#13
CigarNut Fck Cancer! Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Michael Location: Clermont, Florida Posts: 18,042 Trading: (111*)	Re: Which are the most cigar-friendly states? For me it is difficult to separate "Cigar Friendly" from the weather. For example, Oregon's smoking laws are pretty tough. You can't smoke indoors with a few exceptions: you can smoke in some cigar stores (no alcohol for sale) and we have a few pretty good cigar lounges where you can smoke, drink, eat and watch sports on TV. You cannot smoke outside in most public areas. But you can smoke outside at home (single family dwellings). The temps don't hit extremes so smoking outside is fine from late spring through early fall; however, you may need some overhead protection for the rain. If you have an outdoor heater you can smoke outdoors other times of the year. I like to smoke outside, so for me Oregon is cigar friendly. States where the heat or cold can be extreme would not be cigar friendly for me. I have also found California to be cigar friendly when I visit, but I don't live there, so take that with a grain of salt. Just my ... __________________ Need Beads? Need Five Finger Bags? 2 of 3 Requirements for use of the CA Rolodex: 100 posts/ 60 day membership/ participation in trade (trader rating). New members can be added at any time.

10-02-2014, 11:31 AM	#14
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? Oklahoma is cigar friendly. __________________ Port Wine & Claret \| British Cars \| Welsh Corgi's

10-02-2014, 01:00 PM	#15
nutcracker Shameless epicurian Join Date: Apr 2014 First Name: Neil Location: Winnipeg, Canada - Home of the Jets! Posts: 1,631 Trading: (26)	Re: Which are the most cigar-friendly states? Not moving too far, isn't New Jersey a bit easier?? (I've also enjoyed great lounges in Texas* and Rhode Island in particular though) I'm a visitor when in the US, so my perception is different. Texas is also blessed with some knockout women __________________ "Well I ain't often right but I've never been wrong.... Jerry Garcia (R.I.P.)*

10-02-2014, 01:09 PM	#16
Dave128 Sexy Dave Join Date: Feb 2009 First Name: Dave Location: Voorheesville, NY Posts: 3,922 Trading: (4)	Re: Which are the most cigar-friendly states? If you want to get away from the city life, Upstate NY isn't too shabby (I'm talking Albany and north). Other than a couple months out of the year due to cold temps, I smoke to my hearts content on either my front porch or back deck. I also have a really nice B&M five minutes away from my house that has a large lounge and huge walk-in. __________________ "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." - Benjamin Franklin I "heart" Boobies and Beer!

10-02-2014, 03:22 PM	#17
The Poet Il megglior fabbro Join Date: Jun 2009 First Name: Thomas Location: Hickory, NC Posts: 8,420 Trading: (2)	Re: Which are the most cigar-friendly states? Dave has a point about upstate NY, though there's no guarantee that Cuomo won't eventually "Bloomberg" it too. __________________ Ninety percent of everything is crap - Theodore Sturgeon.

10-02-2014, 03:26 PM	#18
Dude Here I'm the Dude...Man! Join Date: Oct 2013 First Name: Steve Location: Texas Posts: 671 Trading: (3)	Re: Which are the most cigar-friendly states? I would say Florida, with Texas as a close second. __________________