From the Editor

Shortly before we departed for Havana for the Whisky and Cigar Challenge we heard the news that Fidel Castro had decided to ban smoking in public places.

But if the ban had come in to force there was scant evidence of it during our stay. Perhaps the ban had been suspended for the cigar festival, or perhaps it didn’t apply for bars. Whatever, every cigar lover should try and find his or her way to Cuba to luxuriate in the pure indulgence of a quality cigar in situ.

They say that many products taste better in the place they’re created, and the bottle of seven year old Ouzo in my drinks cabinet would back this up.

But it’s not just the smoking of the cigar in downtown Havana that is so special; it’s the fact that nobody’s going to bat an eyelid should you do so, and nobody’s going to assume you’re trying to make some form of statement.

In the famous Floridita Bar, while sitting at a bar stool yards away from Hemingway’s statue and sipping rum cocktails, we notice Jeremy Irons, who is lighting a Habanos. And it doesn’t seem to be strange in the least that he’s there. It’s that sort of place.

Cubans are used to challenges and overcoming adversity, so when they hear of the worldwide threat to smoking, they tend to shrug their shoulders, take a good draw on their cigar, think for a moment, and then move on to another subject. The attitude seems to be that like Cuba, you can’t crush the cigar industry that easily. Quality will out. We’ll see about that over here. Certainly when most of your living is done outside, an indoor smoking ban seems less of a threat. Smoking, like Socialism, seems to work much better in the sunshine.

Our trip to Cuba was far too short, but I doubt I’ll ever forget the sight of 250 people all lighting up two cigars and tasting them with whisky. It was utterly indulgent, hedonistic, enjoyable. Exactly, in fact, what smoking a cigar should be all about. And it made me more determined than ever to battle to stop anyone taking this pleasure away.

By Dominic Roskrow

Section : From the Editor

Page number : 3

Published in Cigar Buyer Issue 4 on 10/05/2005.

This article is 87 months old and some information provided may be time sensitive. Please check all details of events, tours, opening times and other information before travelling or making arrangements.



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	From the Editor Shortly before we departed for Havana for the Whisky and Cigar Challenge we heard the news that Fidel Castro had decided to ban smoking in public places. But if the ban had come in to force there was scant evidence of it during our stay. Perhaps the ban had been suspended for the cigar festival, or perhaps it didn’t apply for bars. Whatever, every cigar lover should try and find his or her way to Cuba to luxuriate in the pure indulgence of a quality cigar in situ. They say that many products taste better in the place they’re created, and the bottle of seven year old Ouzo in my drinks cabinet would back this up. But it’s not just the smoking of the cigar in downtown Havana that is so special; it’s the fact that nobody’s going to bat an eyelid should you do so, and nobody’s going to assume you’re trying to make some form of statement. In the famous Floridita Bar, while sitting at a bar stool yards away from Hemingway’s statue and sipping rum cocktails, we notice Jeremy Irons, who is lighting a Habanos. And it doesn’t seem to be strange in the least that he’s there. It’s that sort of place. Cubans are used to challenges and overcoming adversity, so when they hear of the worldwide threat to smoking, they tend to shrug their shoulders, take a good draw on their cigar, think for a moment, and then move on to another subject. The attitude seems to be that like Cuba, you can’t crush the cigar industry that easily. Quality will out. We’ll see about that over here. Certainly when most of your living is done outside, an indoor smoking ban seems less of a threat. Smoking, like Socialism, seems to work much better in the sunshine. Our trip to Cuba was far too short, but I doubt I’ll ever forget the sight of 250 people all lighting up two cigars and tasting them with whisky. It was utterly indulgent, hedonistic, enjoyable. Exactly, in fact, what smoking a cigar should be all about. And it made me more determined than ever to battle to stop anyone taking this pleasure away. By Dominic Roskrow Section : From the Editor Page number : 3 Published in Cigar Buyer Issue 4 on 10/05/2005. Subscribe Buy this issue More from this issue Preview other issues This article is 87 months old and some information provided may be time sensitive. Please check all details of events, tours, opening times and other information before travelling or making arrangements. Copyright Cigar Buyer © 1999-2012. All rights reserved. To use or reproduce part or all of this article please contact us for details of how you can do so legally.