A Shocking Exposé of the Cigar Market

Gentle Sirs and Ma'ams,

It has come to my attention that the cigar manufacturing industry is pretty lucrative. In fact, I rest in the fact that I am not being bold when I say the cigar industry lies not within the white, but is slightly tainted with grey when the world's largest cigar exposition is held in a seedy place such as Havana, Cuba. This article is however, not meant to browbeat the less learned of my brethren about the proper practice of world economic policy. No, in this letter I wish to make example of the langauge contained within today's popular cigar catalogues. Bottom line: I wish to address ethical standards.

Our first sample is a quote which comes from the Famous Smoke Shop cigar catalogue. Page 45 of the March 2004 issue states:

Once a mecca for top premium cigars, some of the best cigar tobacco is grown in mexico's fertile, San Andréas valley. That's why some of the world's leading premium cigar makers still use it in their cigars. Tabamex is an all-Mexican-made premium that looks a little bit rustic, but light one up and it will surprise you! They have a smooth, easy draw with a mild to medium body and a pleasant, cedar aroma. As a good every day cigar value, Tabamex ... Try a bundle ....

This advertisement is pretty benign, and seems to present a very accurate picture of things. But let's dig further. I went to the Famous Smoke website to investigate the integrity of such a magnificent description. Here is what I found about the Tabamex cigar line on their website:

Customers really seem to like these hearty cigars from south of the border. If you like a rich-tasting, everyday cigar made with premium Mexican filler and binder and choice of smooth Connecticut shade natural or sweet Connecticut broadleaf maduro wrappers, order a bundle and give Tabamex 6 Pack Sampler a try. They're especially good for enjoying outdoors, too!

Okay, so this is where I take issue. Basically, they advertise what seems to be a nice authentic Mexican product. Yet, when the website was investigated, we find that the product is in fact not Mexican, but contains tobacco from Connecticut. Connecticut is hardly a region which is hospitable to tobacco growth, nor is it even known for tobaccos at all in general. Who grows it? A collection of small farmers and third party growers who reap their crop during the summer months, in their warm suburban Connecticut neighbourhood back yards? I call bullshit. Basically, this is but one issue I have with cigar sellers these days: false advertisement. I found over a hundered mentions of Connecticut tobacco with nary a mention of where these fabled Connecticut plantations reside, or if we're all being had by a clever naming scheme. Claiming fame through association with Greenwich, CT perhaps? Is false advertisement unethical?

Let's move on to a different cigar re-seller. And boy are they ever heavily involved in the re-selling business of cigar product. The Finck Cigar Company out of San Antonio, Texas is known for offering the most popular cigar line in Texas, the "Travis Club" line. On just Page 3 of their Winter 2004 catalogue, is a sight of major ethical grey area under the "Dominican Segundos" heading:

My Dad has always said you can learn a lot more by listening than by talking. Sitting in the factory of one of our Dominican manufacturers recently, I did a lot of listening. This poor fellow went on and on about how business was slow and how his customers were demanding higher and higher quality.

Then comes the kicker:

I thought to myself: "Hum...wonder what he's doing with all his seconds, and I wonder how bad he wants to get rid of them?"

Right in plain English, blatant unethical business practice is practically touted. Is undercutting a principle which is ethical? Is it ethical to take advantage of those who sell at a loss? Mister Finck just took this poor Dominican for a large portion of his worth, and I find that simply disgusting.

So in conclusure, fair readers, do not rely on past impressions or disagreements, personal grudges or misunderstandings. Ethics, I would say, have reached their perfection. Are we back-pedaling? If you folks would, please discuss this topic at length.