End of an era

[Rocco]

I don't know who has been putting pressure on you Deano, government or the retail industry, but all I know is they suck. Who they hell they think they are? They're just a bunch of needle-dick, pencil-pushers who try to intimidate a bunch of goodfolks who smoke cigars. I'm sure if this was a forum on marijuana, you would have been less hassled. By the way Deano, give me the names of the people who have been breaking your balls I have friends in Sicily who still owe me some favors
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[Leojvs]

WTF did I miss in the last few days???? I read the thread simply stating no ore discusion about non uk suppliers, with zero explination as to why.

Anyone care to elaborate?

[moidoid]

Well my reading of it is that if people living in the UK are discussing retail outlets for cigars which are based outside the EU then one could reasonably assume that some of them may try to import them into the UK without paying the relevant duties.

I can see that Customs and Revenue would not be happy about any discussion that would be seen to encourage such activity and neither would UK retailers who have to charge great slabs of tax on their product. If people are trying to import cigars without paying taxes then that will directly compete with their business.

Therefore, these discussions, even if not intended to promote avoiding duty, could be seen as gving people the information to do so and this would make those responsible for the UKCF vulnerable to being sued/shut down.

[Deano]

moidoid seems to be the only one with some sense!

Restricting it to the UK or restricting forums to certain post counts etc etc does not get away from the facts that moidoid just pointed out.

There is no way around this, this is how it is.

[tippexx]

Not so sure if that's quite it Moidoid .... 'cos I'm pretty sure that if you punted about the web you'ld find groups discussing nuclear fission and all sorts.

[TeeEmmBee]

Seems to me Deano's hands are tied. Its not his fault nor the Forum's and I think the quicker we accept the situation as being the way it now is, abide by the guidlines and stop writing more and more new threads about it the better; both for the benefit of the Forum and the unmentionable purveyors of fine Cuban cigars some of us utilise.

[saggel]

Deano's hands are tied

By who? That's what everybody's asking!

[Deano]

The law.

[saggel]

The law.

The UK law forbid UK citizens to discuss?
Could you please ask a lawyer about that?

[Deano]

If you would happily give me the several thousand pounds it takes to hire one.

[Leojvs]

The law.

I feel sorry for you Deano. You built one hell of a forum here, and it seems that your countrys stupid anti smoking laws have put a big downer on enjoying a good cigar.

Sadly, we are being forced to abide by these laws, as the penalties are quite severe. I am not allowed to smoke on an empty beach in QLD. There are massive fines for doing so.

[saggel]

If you would happily give me the several thousand pounds it takes to hire one.

So, actually you haven't asked anybody?

[moidoid]

The UK law forbid UK citizens to discuss?
Could you please ask a lawyer about that?

The law does not prevent any of us as individuals discussing the relative merits of different mail-order outlets. We are all responsible legally for our subsequent actions.

The position for the person responsible for the forum is quite different. If HM Customs & Revenue took the view that the Forum aided & abetted the avoidance of duty then that person could be sued. If it went to court then they might win or they might lose but if I was that person, with a real life and a proper job, then I would rather not be taking the time and money to be replying to letters from solicitors representing Customs. It is just not worth the hassle.

[Deano]

Saggel I've received advice. I don't know what your problem is, or what you're not quite understanding, but this is not up for discussion.

I have enough real life worries without having to worried about being taken to court due to some online forum where I like to spend some of my spare time.

[saggel]

I don't know what your problem is, or what you're not quite understanding, but this is not up for discussion.

I think I've asked in a really polite way, but it's ok if you don't want to answer my question. As I've said too many times, I am too new a member in here and I will not comment on any of these. However, I firmly believe that an honest explanation would fit the atmosphere better. Thank you anyway for investing the time to answer the way you did!