Cigar lovers face cheaper smokes

[blessednxs65]

Now only if they lift the Embargo...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6431975.stm

 

[WhiteLightning]

But what will happen to the quality? Will it suffer by trying to keep up with the demand?:scratchhe

 

[Jwrussell]

Not sure I'm really all that happy about this ruling. All this does is open up the floodgates for the grey market and counterfeits. I'm not saying I wouldn't be ecstatic about much lower priced Habanos, but there is a reason they are the most counterfeited in the world and a reason that Habanos keeps such a tight reign on who imports.

 

[MichiganM]

Not sure I'm really all that happy about this ruling. All this does is open up the floodgates for the grey market and counterfeits. I'm not saying I wouldn't be ecstatic about much lower priced Habanos, but there is a reason they are the most counterfeited in the world and a reason that Habanos keeps such a tight reign on who imports.

I agree somewhat. The stringent rules on importation is a double edged sword. You know what vendor gets their cigars from where...there is a clear line of sight all the way from Havana to the humidor. But...you pay the high prices due to a monopolization in certain areas like the UK..and you get that to a lesser degree in other places as well.

I would prefer the status quo as that edge of the sword stings less.

 

[cvm4]

"For instance, in Havana a smoker would pay less than £100 for a box of 25 Cuban Esplendidos cigars. But the same box can cost up to £700 in the UK."

I found this exert quite interesting. I don't doubt they pay 700pounds for a box in the UK, but 100pounds ($200) seems pretty cheap even for Cuba sales. And the UK would be more competitive if the horrible exchange rate and taxes weren't in place.