Cigar Aficionado...help or hinderance

[LilBastage]

The other day I was contacted by an old friend from home and while catching up my cigar hobby was brought to light. His main exposure to cigars is of the convenience store variety and when I explained that I only smoked handmade cigars he made a big deal about how "rich" I must be now. I asked him what he meant by that and he said that he's seen Cigar Aficionado a time or two and the stuff they talk about is only for really wealthy people and that he could never afford to engage in any hobby that was that expensive.

After I explained my situation to him and that my cigar hobby is actually less expensive than his cigarette "hobby" he got a little more interested.

Anyway, my point in all this rambling is this: with the cigar tax increase on the horizon, is Cigar Aficionado helping the cause or possibly unwillingly hindering the ability of those less educated about the hobby to understand that we're not all extremely wealthy and cigar smokers as a group are mostly average Joes?

After all, what's another $10 a stick to someone who can afford a Bentley or Breightling? Not my sentiments, but I'd reckon that a lot of people who aren't against the legislation feel that way. One of the most recognizable cigar smokers in the world today (Rush Limbaugh) while railing against the proposed tax increase said that he didn't care if his cigars cost $100, they'd have to pry them from his hands (or something similar). With stuff like that and the crazy-expensive stuff in Cigar Aficionado articles and ads, are our protests falling on deaf ears?

Does this make any sense to anyone else? Am I out in left (or right) field on this?

 

[CoventryCat86]

I've never heard from non cigar smokers that they think I'm "wealthy" because I'm "into" cigars as a hobby. There are MANY, MANY other hobbies that are far more expensive than cigar smoking (like wine and scotch :laugh: ) or gardening, landscaping, model trains, model air planes, model boats (just ask nully... :laugh, woodworking, car restoration, racing, motorcycles, golf, skiing, you name it....

You opened your friend's eyes when you told him he probably spends more on his stupid cigarettes that the average cigar hobbyist does on cigars so I don't see a problem here.

 

[Newfie]

I agree with Bill, there's many more hobbbies, pass times or habits that are more expensive. Here's a little story to support that belief:

I played golf with a couple of guys from work a few weeks ago. We sat on the patio after the round and enjoyed the weather. I drank mostly water (very seldom I drink beer, liquor or wine) and a couple of coffees. The two guys from work were drinking pints, and one smokes ciggys ($8.50 a pack in Ontario for the brand he smokes). I was smoking an Ashton VSG Corona Gorda, one of my favourites. The guy who smokes asked me how much a cigar like that cost and I told him. He looked like he was going to have a coronary. He said "You pay that much for a smoke??"

I reminded him that in the time it took me to smoke the $10 cigar, he had 4 pints of beer @ $4.50 a pint (plus tip) and 5 cigarettes, which all totaled ~ $22-23.

He said "But I enjoyed the beer!!"

I said "Did I look like I was torturing myself with that cigar??"

I've used that argument so many times and it always works.

 

[Ludivigo]

But the fact that you had to make the argument to begin with reinforces the notion that most people think cigars are a wealthy man's hobby.

 

[indyrob]

Cigars are probably subconciously viewed as an extravagant indulgence, like fine chocolate.

If you ate Hersheys and smoked Phillies, you would be seen as an average Joe 6-pack. Truffles and Ashton's make you a wealthy snob.


You didn't know that? Sheesh! It's all right here.

 

[Glacies]

Cigars are probably subconciously viewed as an extravagant indulgence, like fine chocolate.

If you ate Hersheys and smoked Phillies, you would be seen as an average Joe 6-pack. Truffles and Ashton's make you a wealthy snob.


You didn't know that? Sheesh! It's all right here.

This is true. I get looks from my friends when I pull out a cigar, so I rarely do it in front of most people.

 

[sack]

Cigars are probably subconciously viewed as an extravagant indulgence, like fine chocolate.

If you ate Hersheys and smoked Phillies, you would be seen as an average Joe 6-pack. Truffles and Ashton's make you a wealthy snob.


You didn't know that? Sheesh! It's all right here.

I don't believe the reality is as much a factor as the perception of all you rich cigar smokers in your smoking jackets. CA reinforces those perceptions. Excuse me while i go out and check on the stables. :laugh:

 

[Ginseng]

He said "But I enjoyed the beer!!"

I said "Did I look like I was torturing myself with that cigar??"

Classic! :laugh:

But the fact that you had to make the argument to begin with reinforces the notion that most people think cigars are a wealthy man's hobby.

Cigars are probably subconciously viewed as an extravagant indulgence, like fine chocolate.

If you ate Hersheys and smoked Phillies, you would be seen as an average Joe 6-pack. Truffles and Ashton's make you a wealthy snob.

Boy, ain't that the case. Many are the times I've had to doff my top hat and remove my monocle and explain that I'm just a regular Joe.

Wilkey

 

[sonuvabum]

Boy, ain't that the case. Many are the times I've had to doff my top hat and remove my monocle and explain that I'm just a regular Joe.

Wilkey

You mean you're a mere mortal!!! :0

Damn!! That just ruined my day.

 

[tsmckenney]

I don't think CA does much for our cause. It is full of ads for expensive watches and golf equipment. All the articles are about this year's new Mercedes or this or that golf course. Hidden, and I mean hidden, in all of that bullshit might be a one page article on something related to growing tobacco. Then you have the usually worthless article on some dried up celebrity that no one gives a shit about. Tom Berenger? Seriously.

What I think CA does best is disappoint. Why not feature some of our country's B&M's? Interview the owners. Take some snaps. Talk with the regulars. How about doing what AVB does for us, get some hotties smoking cigars. How about some history? Great writers who smoked cigars. No shortage of those. What writers smoke cigars today? Is there a connection between writing and smoking cigars? You could go on and on, but they don't. Inaffordable golf courses, watches and cars.

For a magazine that I wait 2 mos. to show up at my doorstep, it's a let down. I doubt I'll subscribe again. There are better mags to be had.

And as far as this tax shit is concerned, I'm beginning to resign to the fact that I'll be smoking Connies and Limbaugh's $100 cigars. After I relieve him of his humidors.

 

[tone-ny]

I only smoke with my smoking jacket and ascot on, while the fire roars in the fireplace. I have to chastise the butler for the temperature of the Mouton Rothschild 1945.

Half the crap in CA is for people that sometimes have more money than tastes when it comes to cigars. Like Playboy, I buy it for the articles. Next thing we believe the ratings are spot on. My only part of the magazine that I truly enjoy is the vintage cigar review.

 

[smokelaw1]

Many are the times I've had to doff my top hat and remove my monocle and explain that I'm just a regular Joe.

Wilkey

Possibly the best line ever.

 

[LilBastage]

I may need to clarify based on a PM I received...

I have nothing against Cigar Aficionado or the people who can afford the items featured in the magazine. I am not jealous or envious of those with a great deal of money. I think it's great that they have it.

I am also aware of many more hobbies that are more expensive than cigars. I have a lot more money tied up in my rods/reels and boat than I do in cigars.

My main point is the effect that the hobby's most visual magazine MAY have on those who know nothing about cigars or the people who smoke them and how those perceptions may shape their attitudes towards the tax issue. We all know a great deal about the hobby and the diverse population that enjoys it. However, do those who are in positions of influence and the greater population have a different perception that may be influenced by Cigar Aficionado and the super wealthy celebrities that are always trotted out as examples of people who enjoy cigars?

I believe that the magazine may be having that type of an effect. I don't think it should be shut down or that people shouldn't read it if they enjoy it. I'm simply posing the question.

Now I must beg your pardon while I retreat to the coach house to wax the Veyron. I'm already running late. One would think that a $7,000 Breitling would keep better time...

:laugh:

 

[billytpage]

Personally, I am less and less impressed with every CA issue I get. I liken it to MTV; does any one remember the good old days when MTV actually played music? Does anyone remember when more than 20% of CA actually pertained to cigars?

Billy

 

[Turk10mm]

Shoot, my RC helicopter hobby has cost me about 10 grand this year. Cigars are CHEAP in comparison to other hobbies.

With the new tax on the horizon, it'll force me to buy from overseas. I'm not spending 15-20 bucks for a three times a week smoke. The whole idea was that i could smoke a nice cigar a few times a week for less than the cost of my old cigarette habit.

I could still enjoy smoking, in a more healthy and enjoyable way. It would be special, but not 20 bucks special

 

[mr.mac]

I have to agree with much of what has already been said. My other hobbie is school... and that is costing me upward into five digits these days!

mac

 

[Ginseng]

What I think CA does best is disappoint. Why not feature some of our country's B&M's? Interview the owners. Take some snaps. Talk with the regulars. How about doing what AVB does for us, get some hotties smoking cigars. How about some history? Great writers who smoked cigars. No shortage of those. What writers smoke cigars today? Is there a connection between writing and smoking cigars? You could go on and on, but they don't. Inaffordable golf courses, watches and cars.

The various cigar mags cater to the different interests of cigar smokers. Smoke and Cigar are perhaps a bit more grounded and accessible.

I only smoke with my smoking jacket and ascot on, while the fire roars in the fireplace. I have to chastise the butler for the temperature of the Mouton Rothschild 1945.

Half the crap in CA is for people that sometimes have more money than tastes when it comes to cigars. Like Playboy, I buy it for the articles. Next thing we believe the ratings are spot on. My only part of the magazine that I truly enjoy is the vintage cigar review.

Anthony, you kill me! :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Wilkey

 

[CgarDan]

I think CA does in fact put out a message that cigar smokers are all wealthy and have no worries about how much they pay for their smokes. From what I understand about the magazine it is marketed as a lifestyle magazine rather than a cigar magazine, which in itself implies that those of us who smoke cigars live according to the ads in CA --- very far from the truth for a majority of us.
If you are looking for a cigar magazine to read try " Cigar Magazine" every article there is cigar related and I think it is marketed towards the everyday person.

From what I understand the events that CA hosts also for most part are attended by snobs with cash to burn.

In the big picture I doubt that CA has enough pull though to really influence the minds of lawmakers as to who cigar smokers are.


I have spoken to a few people from this board and others as well about what I think is really the problem and how it can be solved. I think that being a part of a certain board is great, but as cigar smokers and people we should look beyond the imaginary boundaries that seperate someone from this board and someone from another board. We have one thing in common we all love cigars. The reason the lawmakers can pass all these stupid laws is that we are a minority in a general population and it is easy to attack us. It is even easier to attack us because we are minority that is split even further by board membership.

Sure every board has its own character and feel and therefore certain boards appeal more to certain people. But at some point we have to be able to put our differences aside and come together as a group as a community. I think there would be at least a million cigar smokers in US. Now if some of us call our gov't representatives and say how we feel about the current proposal, chances are they will thank us for our comments and let it fall on deaf ears right after. But I am sure if they start getting some letters that have a million signatures backing up the text they will take notice.

 

[preembargo]

Whatever image CA presents, it's presented to its readers. The majority of the population has no idea what is inside the cover.

 

[PTownshend]

Personally, I am less and less impressed with every CA issue I get. I liken it to MTV; does any one remember the good old days when MTV actually played music? Does anyone remember when more than 20% of CA actually pertained to cigars?

Billy

Amen! Coming from a guy who watched the same 15 or so videos when Mtv premiered in the 80s, I know what you speak of!

CA has dropped off into "the good life" mens magazine, talking about extravagent vacation spots, expensive watches, sports heros, pricey libations, etc.... Sadly, CA (kinda like Rolling Stone) lost the original manifesto of what the magazine originally was about and seems to think that pandering to advertisement dollars will have regular subscribers following in tow.

To think that Rolling Stone gave out free roach clips with the first issue; now, try and thumb through that clothing catalogue cum- rock rag. Damn disgrace, it is!

Darren