Cigars face extinction in Britain by 2026

[PeeJay]

But its okay for politicians and celebs to snort cocaine.

[klaus]

In my view cigars will remain a niche market, but contracting, bearing in mind regulations, tax, etc. even beyong 2026. My guess is that the demand for good cigars will primarily be driven by the middle classes in the countries where we are seeing massive economic growth, China, India, Brazil.

[ValeTudoGuy]

Yep, shame that the charitable donations of these countries accounts to diddly squat!
They get rich while we feed their poor.

Ah man, here I go again....
I better stop before this degenerates into politics.

[PeeJay]

You're right on both counts, your opinion and the fact we should keep politics out of the forum.

[monkey66]

Im not worried ...and nor is the FT by the look of the article...

...call me a snob but i'm not to worried about the decline in Villager sales.

"Despite the long-term decline, there are two cigar markets that are showing signs of life. Sales of premium cigars, which are often handmade and left to age like whisky, are mounting a minor comeback at the swankier end of the market, according to Nic Barker, a cigar consultant with J.J. Fox, a tobacconists in west London.
Catering to this trend, exclusive hotels are increasingly providing cigar smokers with so-called Cosas – Comfortable Outdoor Smoking Areas. The Ritz Hotel opened an indoor cigar room two years ago, next to its casino."

[Sgt_Banter]

I'm at the point now where I barely believe anything I read in the news. The articles always have an agenda or some kind of spin on them. I wouldn't be worried about this because I doubt they'd ever ban smoking and even if they did then the sale of tobacco would just be driven underground. People always find a way

Sent from my GT-I9305 using Tapatalk

[smokeymo]

Better article in The Time :-) http://www.cgarsltd.co.uk/document.p...times_2014.htm

cheers

SmokeyMo

[Simon Bolivar]

One of the biggest reason middle income/class/avge cigar smoker has reduced his smoking is the opportunity to smoke them. The occasional cigar smoker probably enjoyed most whilst in the pub or after a meal in a resturant. After all not many cigar smokers are welcome to light up in their own home these days. Most of this group probably never had a humi at home but were an impulse buyers when the desk top humi was passed around with the brandy at the end of a meal. This has been potentialy the most significant difference since gentleman stopped withdrawing to the smoking room for port & cigars, leaving the ladies to coffee & cards.

[Tomothebuilder]

I agree with Simon, time and opportunity are a killer. There aren't many occasions where you get to sit and properly enjoy a good cigar in comfort with friends. It's usually outside now, and the experience is hugely dependent on the bloody weather! The nearest "cigar terrace" or bar would be a good couple hours drive from where I live, I doubt many of my friends would be willing to travel just for that unfortunately.

I think this is the main reason why Habanos etc are focusing on the "Petit" and short styles now, great cigars like the Sir Winnie are going by the wayside because there just isn't the opportunity to enjoy them, I'm certainly not going to waste one of those on a game of golf...

I doubt it will die out completely, but it is certainly becoming more of an opportunist hobby, for me anyway.

[Puff Scotty]

The only things that are killing the rise of smoking cigars in this nanny state are government & greed..always has been always will be...

[cigarmo]

Nice to see you back Puffy

[Maxsi]

Nice to see you back Puffy

+1
The 'other half' finally letting him off the leash, a bit.

[Simon Bolivar]

Aye welcome back Puff, missed ya!