We Americans live in Pipe Tobacco Nirvana

[hoosierpipeguy]

Craig, I had a friend in Ireland send me 250 gr of the Rich Dark Flake. It is quite good, it is very good, but I failed to see much similarity at all to Stonehaven. With that said, I'd buy more in a heartbeat were it readily available.
All this makes me feel for younger folks who enjoy pipe smoking. I'm 61 and have experienced the challenge of building up an adequate supply to last 30 years. I can't imagine facing that challenge being 21 or even 41. Look on the bright side. Perhaps if I pass before the ripe old age of 91, which is likely, you can possibly purchase a nice supply of aged tobacco from my children along with a modest but decent collection of pipes. The way things are headed here, you all may face prison sentences though if caught conducting that transaction.

 

[craiginthecorn]

This is quite a rabbit trail, but a Venezuelan friend shared this with me regarding the "B", which is the nickname for the Venezuelan Bolivar. When I was last there, the week after Hugo Chavez was elected, the exchange rate was about 10 Bs to 1 USD.
"a few years ago, they threw off three zeros. It is up now, rather down now to 635,000 bs to one $. they are talkign about kicking off three more zeros. As long as this gov is in place, no, they would never do that. they are making a killing. officially, it is still 10 bs to $. which is what all gov people get it at. So do the math, they get it for 10 bs to $, lets say, you get a $1,000 and change it on the black market. that $1000 has become 635,000,000. now, you go back and change that to $. and the story continues."
Turns out my friend was wrong. It was 6 zeroes instead of only three. My 20 B note is now worth $.0000000002. I've got pocket lint that might be worth more.

 

[olkofri]

The way things are headed here, you all may face prison sentences though if caught conducting that transaction.

Heck, if tobacco gets outlawed, anyone with a cellar would be breaking the law: 'possession of an illegal substance'.

 

[armonts]

You do not let the Americans do it!

We count on you because here in France we often end up copying you ...

 

[tfdickson]

like the newly announced Sutliff increases beginning later this year

@sablebrush52 could you please point me to the details on this? I couldn’t find anything with the usual searches.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Heck, if tobacco gets outlawed, anyone with a cellar would be breaking the law: 'possession of an illegal substance'.

Not necessarily. Selling it and owning it are two different animals. Not saying your scenario isn't possible given our population's ignorance in continuing to vote criminals into office.

 

[warren]

Those who vote, often less than half of those who could (Discounting Chicago where death does not deprive one of their franchise if, they were registered to the correct party at the time of demise. Where the dead, and many living, vote early and ... often.*)
Many who vote are, in fact, not ignorant, they are very selective in who they vote for. Also, many are indeed well versed in who is running and purposely and passionately vote for, as you refer to them, "criminals." Others vote for whomever purchased their vote, an honorable behavior ever since voters discovered their votes could be had by the highest bidder, very early in the history of the US. This is one of the facets of the "tyranny of the majority" so feared by the founding fathers. This is why we, in the US, do not elect our president through a "popular vote." End of lesson one.
Heck, I'd cast my vote for an "anti-tobacco" politician if their positions on other issues I feel more important are "correct." Fact of the matter is, a politician's position on tobacco is, in the grand scheme of things, a non-issue for me.
We smokers are simply the victims of the "tyranny". Nothing more nor less. We are in the minority and, perhaps more importantly, on the wrong side of the debate. A debate where truths and half-truths are really immaterial even though they are bandied about freely.
* Citation: The Pulitzer Prize 1973, The Chicago Tribune, as my wife was one of the reporters.

 

[seacaptain]

Those who vote, often less than half of those who could (Discounting Chicago where death does not deprive one of their franchise if, they were registered to the correct party at the time of demise. Where the dead, and many living, vote early and ... often.*)

My grandfather voted Republican until the day he died. After that, he voted Democrat.

 

[warren]

Changed his registration from the grave huh? Very efficient voter registration in Chicago I guess.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

Similarly to Australia & Canada,Finland and Sweden have war on tobacco products,Denmark is less so but there too prices are already high with the one significant exception they(Danes)have plenty of various blends to choose from.

Then we have Spain where pipetobacco and cigars seem still be more or less affordably priced.

 

[bnichols23]

Apologies for being late back to the party & for just a fluff comment, but
Tom, +plenty on your golden-age post; concur fully, especially on the last.
Warren, same for you. "Drago, get me some attention!"
Brian, a quick anecdote related to yours: Years ago (40+) when I was here in SC the first time, we had the bluest of blue laws. Along with pinball machines & juke boxes deactivated & unplugged on Sundays, every soft drink you bought had the state seal on the lid/bottlecap.
It signified that the vice tax had been paid. 100% true truth. :roll:

 

[sparroa]

The draconian display and labeling regulations are possibly worse than the high taxes.
Availability declines as people request the same blends for the sake of convenience or avoid in-person purchases altogether.
Cigarette smokers, however, continue on much as before since they only buy the same brand while the rest of us get denied the freedom of choice while being treated like children.

 

[mikethompson]

pinball machines & juke boxes deactivated & unplugged on Sundays, every soft drink you bought had the state seal on the lid/bottlecap.

8O
A bottle of Coke had a tamper/tax seal on it like this?

 

[bluto]

Why don’t they tax the hell out of refined sugar
A simple review of the health data would overwhelmingly support it

 

[jazz]

Why don’t they tax the hell out of refined sugar
A simple review of the health data would overwhelmingly support it

That has already started here in the UK. On soft drinks, anyway. It's the thin end of the wedge, though and it won't be long until it's on all sugar. I can almost guarantee it.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

Jazz , Tell You what, we here already have this and its officially called *SugarTax, what else would You expect from the country where everything imaginable is topped' with taxes.

 

[bnichols23]

Not a liquor-type strap, Mike, but the state seal lithograph on the top of the bottle or can.
We don't have it any more, & I can't say about the jukes or pinball or air hockey or whatever. Back then they had to be unplugged & the drawer opened & cash box removed. These people were serious.