Habanas on TV

[Lemon]

Knowing how Cuban cigars are illegal in the US since the embargo, how often do you Americans see these forbidden treats in the media, eg. TV or magazines? I am watching the series called Millennium (Season 1, episode 7, Blood Relatives), and noticed this guy had all his keys stored in an empty Romeo y Julieta box This sparked my interest. Are celebrities or regular people ever caught on film smoking illegal cigars? I remember someone posting a picture of, was it a US senator, smoking a ISOM HdM on a photo in a magazine.

Note: I don't know how the law works over there, but I got the impression that buying anything from Cuba is illegal. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Edited to insert screenshot

 

[ALostTexan]

Yeah, back in April, Tom DeLay was pictured in Time magazine smoking a nice ISOM. Here is the link.

I am not really sure of the exact rules on the issue, though, and hope I never get 'the letter' from customs explaining the rules, either...

ALostTexan

 

[bfreebern]

I think last weeks Las Vegas episode had Habanos on it.

 

[KayakinBoy]

look at Cigar Aficionado, it's talked about openly in there. I'm sure they'd inforce it if you were selling boxes and boxes of them, but smoking them yourself, atleast I'd think, shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Tenpin]

The law is in the US Code of Federal Regulations, 515.204

Sec. 515.204 Importation of and dealings in certain merchandise.

(a) Except as specifically authorized by the Secretary of the
Treasury (or any person, agency, or instrumentality designated by him)
by means of regulations, rulings, instructions, licenses, or otherwise,
no person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States may purchase,
transport, import, or otherwise deal in or engage in any transaction
with respect to any merchandise outside the United States if such
merchandise:
(1) Is of Cuban origin; or
(2) Is or has been located in or transported from or through Cuba;
or
(3) Is made or derived in whole or in part of any article which is
the growth, produce or manufacture of Cuba.
(b) [Reserved]

 

[BkCloud114]

I think last weeks Las Vegas episode had Habanos on it.

[snapback]258941[/snapback]​

I saw that episode also. They intercepted an entire trailer loaded with Cubans.

Then the last scene..... sitting outside smoking two of them.

 

[Shibumi]

I think last weeks Las Vegas episode had Habanos on it.

[snapback]258941[/snapback]​

I saw this last week and they played it again last night. They found a 3 finger leather case with some pyramids in it. They reference it as Pre-Embargo cigars at $100 each. James Caan says he will keep them and then lights them up with Josh Duhamel and Dean Cain.

 

[mhortsch]

Wife was watching the VH1 Big in 05 awards. One of the awards was accepted by KayneWest, one of the video clips of him, he had a Cohiba in his mouth.

I wonder if it was fake. You think rappers have good connections on cubans?

 

[Matt R]

You think rappers have good connections on cubans?

[snapback]258968[/snapback]​

Jay-Z has a giant collection of cigars, as does Shaq. I'd guess Kanye West probably has a few real Havanas in his possession. It's funny what a little bit of money can buy you.

 

[kiltedcraftsman]

The law is in the US Code of Federal Regulations, 515.204

Sec. 515.204 Importation of and dealings in certain merchandise.

(a) Except as specifically authorized by the Secretary of the
Treasury (or any person, agency, or instrumentality designated by him)
by means of regulations, rulings, instructions, licenses, or otherwise,
no person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States may purchase,
transport, import, or otherwise deal in or engage in any transaction
with respect to any merchandise outside the United States if such
merchandise:
(1) Is of Cuban origin; or
(2) Is or has been located in or transported from or through Cuba;
or
(3) Is made or derived in whole or in part of any article which is
the growth, produce or manufacture of Cuba.
(b) [Reserved]

[snapback]258946[/snapback]​

I know of a particular local US Senator that brought back SEVERAL boxes from the Cuban embassy during a visit there....very interesting.

 

[junkman_56]

The law is in the US Code of Federal Regulations, 515.204

Sec. 515.204 Importation of and dealings in certain merchandise.

(a) Except as specifically authorized by the Secretary of the
Treasury (or any person, agency, or instrumentality designated by him)
by means of regulations, rulings, instructions, licenses, or otherwise,
no person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States may purchase,
transport, import, or otherwise deal in or engage in any transaction
with respect to any merchandise outside the United States if such
merchandise:
(1) Is of Cuban origin; or
(2) Is or has been located in or transported from or through Cuba;
or
(3) Is made or derived in whole or in part of any article which is
the growth, produce or manufacture of Cuba.
(b) [Reserved]

[snapback]258946[/snapback]​

Soooo, it's ok to smoke'em, just illegal to buy'em?? :whistling:

 

[Lemon]

I think last weeks Las Vegas episode had Habanos on it.

[snapback]258941[/snapback]​

I saw that episode also. They intercepted an entire trailer loaded with Cubans.

Then the last scene..... sitting outside smoking two of them.

[snapback]258964[/snapback]​

Heh, I used to watch Las Vegas. I'd like to see this episode

 

[Matt R]

I know of a particular local US Senator that brought back SEVERAL boxes from the Cuban embassy during a visit there....very interesting.

[snapback]258977[/snapback]​

Diplomatic immunity...

 

[JimK]

The law is in the US Code of Federal Regulations, 515.204

Sec. 515.204  Importation of and dealings in certain merchandise.

    (a) Except as specifically authorized by the Secretary of the
Treasury (or any person, agency, or instrumentality designated by him)
by means of regulations, rulings, instructions, licenses, or otherwise,
no person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States may purchase,
transport, import, or otherwise deal in or engage in any transaction
with respect to any merchandise outside the United States if such
merchandise:
    (1) Is of Cuban origin; or
    (2) Is or has been located in or transported from or through Cuba;
or
    (3) Is made or derived in whole or in part of any article which is
the growth, produce or manufacture of Cuba.
    (b) [Reserved]

[snapback]258946[/snapback]​

I know of a particular local US Senator that brought back SEVERAL boxes from the Cuban embassy during a visit there....very interesting.

[snapback]258977[/snapback]​

Why would Cuba have an embassy in their own country?

 

[jabba]

The USA started the embargo to hurt Cuba correct? My guess is if there was no embargo you would be able to get a good $3 cuban cigars. Instead americans pay $20 to Fidel and company. It's time the embargo is lifted.

 

[KayakinBoy]

Wife was watching the VH1 Big in 05 awards. One of the awards was accepted by KayneWest, one of the video clips of him, he had a Cohiba in his mouth.

[snapback]258968[/snapback]​

this was at the VMA on MTV awhile back

 

[kiltedcraftsman]

[snapback]258946[/snapback]​

I know of a particular local US Senator that brought back SEVERAL boxes from the Cuban embassy during a visit there....very interesting.

[snapback]258977[/snapback]​

Why would Cuba have an embassy in their own country?

[snapback]259042[/snapback]​

Hey good point Jim. I guess it wasn't the embassy...I do know for a fact that it happened though, cause I got a couple of the sticks.

 

[mhortsch]

Wife was watching the VH1 Big in 05 awards. One of the awards was accepted by KayneWest, one of the video clips of him, he had a Cohiba in his mouth.

[snapback]258968[/snapback]​

this was at the VMA on MTV awhile back

[snapback]259064[/snapback]​

That's the one. He obviously made it a point to show that it's a cohiba.

 

[Strayvector]

I think last weeks Las Vegas episode had Habanos on it.

[snapback]258941[/snapback]​

I saw that episode also. They intercepted an entire trailer loaded with Cubans.

Then the last scene..... sitting outside smoking two of them.

[snapback]258964[/snapback]​

When I saw the trailer full of cigars, all I could think about was, "Damn, those cigars are ruined. In the desert, locked in containers with no humidification and in cardboard boxes. Someone's not going to be happy when he gets his pass back."

 

[ggiese]

You think rappers have good connections on cubans?

[snapback]258968[/snapback]​

Jay-Z has a giant collection of cigars, as does Shaq. I'd guess Kanye West probably has a few real Havanas in his possession. It's funny what a little bit of money can buy you.

[snapback]258974[/snapback]​

So does Michael Jordan. In his interview with Cigar Aficionado, he claims that's all he smokes... Pretty open about it too....

Excerpts:

MRS: Cigars? We're sitting here. We're smoking a Cuban Monty No. 2. Nothing wrong with that. I went through your humidor here; you have a great selection. When did you first get into cigars?
JORDAN: I smoked my first cigar in 1991, when we won the championship. Up to that point, I had never smoked a cigar, never smoked anything. We won the championship, and Jerry Reinsdorf gave me one of his cigars. He's a big cigar smoker.

The next time I received a cigar was from my good friend, Ahmad Rashad. He used to get these Churchills from Las Vegas that were dipped in rum. I wouldn't smoke them, but I would sit there and chew on them. I got to the point where it became very relaxing.

In Chicago, I tell people this, and they have to understand the context of what happened. We had to be to the stadium at 6 o'clock for home games, and traffic was so bad it would take us an hour and 15 or an hour and 30 minutes to drive. So now I'm sitting in a car for almost an hour and a half, and I'm very tense. I'm worried about the traffic. So I started smoking a cigar going to the games. In 1993. It became a ritual for every home game.

MRS: What cigar?
JORDAN: At the time, I started out with the Hoyo de Monterrey Double Corona.

MRS: What are your favorite cigars today?
JORDAN: Partagas Lusitanias. I love those. And I'm in love with all Cubans. I've become a big Cuban cigar smoker. I gradually worked my way up from Las Vegas rum-dipped to all the different types.

MRS: What size cigar do you like?
JORDAN: Depends on the time, depends on the day, depends on what I'm doing. If I'm in a rush, I can go for a robusto—not that it's not going to be rushing, but it's smaller.

MRS: You ever have an Epicure No. 2?
JORDAN: Sure.

MRS: Partagas Serie D?
JORDAN: Sure. You've got me smoking these Montecristo No. 2s, and these are so strong. If I hadn't had anything to eat, I wouldn't touch this. These are for the end of the night, and I'm getting ready for the end of the day. If I had to smoke a cigar that I can get through, that would be an Esplendido. I can get through those.

MRS: So, today, when do you smoke?
JORDAN: I already smoked today. I went to work out, and I had a cigar on the way, fighting the traffic the whole way.

MRS: What kind of cigar did you smoke this morning?
JORDAN: I had a Cohiba Siglo II.

MRS: Have you ever been to a cigar factory?
JORDAN: No, and it's my biggest dream to visit Cuba and visit some of these factories. Obviously with the embargo it's a little difficult.