Today, April 11, 2013, marks the one-year anniversary of the creation of the premium cigar petition on the White House’s “We The People” platform; which asks the Obama Administration to “call off” the FDA from regulating premium cigars.

With overwhelming speed, more than 37,300 Americans signed the petition; achieving the minimum 25,000 signature threshold in just 15 days.

Although we have reached our first goal, it’s important to keep going. Let’s further increase the visibility to our cause by continuing to send a message that cigar enthusiasts will take action to protect their freedom.

If you have not signed the petition, CRA would like to encourage you to do so. Also, please share this call-to-action with all your friends and family.

Send a message and fill out the petition by going to www.wh.gov/Qtz.

(October, 2012) – TheCigarStore.com, an online outlet for premium cigars and related products, announced the recent expansion of their online store through their partnership with Bongo International.  The original brick & mortar store opened decades ago in Queens, New York through the efforts of a young man arriving from Puerto Rico named Pedro Castegon Capielo.  The store has proven its success with the continuity of its business, and once again through their international expansion with Bongo. 

“The decision to ship internationally came about through consistent requests from all over the world to ship cigars and related products to potential customers. Not having the means of doing this we contacted Bongo US, and their business model fit very well with what we needed,” says Robb Capielo, Pedro Capielo’s grandson.  The partnership with Bongo opens their doors to over 220 global destinations and offers complete protection against fraud.  Substantial shipping discounts as well as a user friendly shopping cart for international customers are also provided by Bongo’s Checkout Solution.

In addition the solution benefits mentioned above, there are other advantages to Bongo’s service.  “The attraction to Bongo US was the no charge to set it up and their full responsibility for overseas orders. The integration into our custom shopping cart went very smooth and the service from Bongo was very professional,” adds Mr. Capielo.  

The countries they have received the most requests from at this point include; Canada, UK, Australia, Russia, Germany, France, and numerous others.  This list is certain to increase as international eCommerce figures continue on their steady climb.  This growth is in addition to the holiday shopping boost that is also certain to arrive.  Already, September retail figures have surpassed industry estimates.  An recent article appearing on Bloomberg.com confirms, “The median forecast of 77 economists surveyed by Bloomberg called for a 0.8 percent rise.  The 1.1 percent advance followed a revised 1.2 percent increase in August, the best back-to-back showing since late 2010, Commerce Department figures showed today in Washington.” 

Online retailers should act now to make the most out of online holiday sales this season.  Excluding international sales is a costly oversight, especially when Bongo makes expanding globally such a smooth transition for domestic retailers. Visit www.BongoUS.com for more information on Bongo’s international solutions.  Visit TheCigarStore.com for a complete list of their cigars and related products.

About TheCigarStore.com:

TheCigarStore.com is an outlet for premium cigars and cigar products.   The product list includes cigar samplers, cigar bundles, humidors, tobacco pipes, and more.  The original store opened in Queens, New York through the efforts of Pedro Castegon Capielo.  The online store has maintained the quality and service levels that the business was founded on.  The goal of The Cigar Store, is to continue the tradition of creating and an outlet for fine cigars and related products.  Visit TheCigarStore.com to select from their list of superior products.

CRA is asking its members and cigar enthusiasts across America to sign the White House petition; through the Administration’s “We The People” website.

Although we have reached our goal of a minimum 25,000 signatures, it’s important to keep going — increasing visibility to our cause.

Let’s send a message during this election year that cigar enthusiasts will take action to protect their freedom. This petition asks the Obama Administration to “call off” the FDA from regulating premium cigars.

Send a message and fill out the petition by going to www.wh.gov/Qtz.

U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire Joins S. 1461 as a Co-Sponsor

The bi-partisan coalition of twelve U.S. Senators from ten states is growing, as the joint effort to ward off the heavy hand of the federal government from cigars continues the march forward, with the addition of U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire joining as a co-sponsor of S. 1461.

Senator Ayotte was the first woman to ever serve as Attorney General of New Hampshire, having been appointed to that position by both Democrat and Republican governors. She is a key member of the Armed Serves, Commerce, and Small Business & Entrepreneurship committees, having served in the Senate since 2010.

David Garofalo, of Two Guys Smoke Shop and the Cigar Association of New Hampshire, commended Senator Ayotte for joining S. 1461 as a co-sponsor. He stated, “Senator Ayotte may be relatively new to the U.S. Senate, but her leadership on this and related measures to protect New Hampshire ‘s small business community is outstanding. She states clearly and publicly that she intends to use her platform on the Senate Small Business committee to ‘eliminate red tape so that businesses can better compete.’ She’s certainly being true to her word by assisting with this legislation.”

New Hampshire also has as champions for the cause of Cigar Democracy each of their members in the U.S. House of Representatives. Congressman Charles Bass and Congressman Frank Guinta each serve as co-sponsors of H.R. 1639, the companion legislation to S. 1461 in the US House of Representatives.

Garofalo added, “We also deeply appreciate our members of the US House of Representatives for supporting H.R. 1639. Representatives Bass and Guinta are making a statement for New Hampshire small businesses, and are serving as a model for others in Congress.”