An article that was posted on PipesMagazine.com. This is something that I’ve felt and believed in for some time. The author does a great job with what seems to be some pretty profound understanding of smoking tobacco.
Don’t Blame Tobacco – Blame Biology.
There have been many topics where pipe smokers ask each other whether or not they smoke their lovely pipes out in public. Many older gentlemen have no problems smoking out amongst the populace, however, younger smokers are of a mixed opinion. Read the rest of this entry »
Pipe tobacco is certainly different from cigarette tobacco and RYO (roll your own) tobacco. These companies, after learning of a 2000% tax increase, repackaged their product as pipe tobacco to fraudulently hide from having to pay those taxes. This is hurting the REAL pipe tobacco industry because now the anti-smoking advocates and tax hungry mongrels are proposing that pipe tobacco be taxed the same as these RYO tobaccos. The Tobacco Tax Bureau (TTB) has made a definition between the two, which could save pipe tobacco from harm. If there’s a way to help define the differences and keep the pipe tobacco industry from harm, then I think we should step up and tell them that this needs to be pushed up on their priority list. Just click the link and follow the directions. It takes less than 5 minutes and is extremely easy to do.
PipesMagazine.com just called for us to do our part and I’m re-sending that call here. For more information from PM.com on the issue, please follow this: Help Fix The Biggest Threat to Pipe Tobacco
Happy puffin’!
Help Fix the Biggest Threat to Pipe Tobacco
Luciano Catini is the president and owner of his own line of pipes and the president of his local pipe club, Pipe Cigar Club of Fermo, in Italy. More about Mr. Catini can be found on his site, Catini Pipe.
I was given the opportunity, pleasure, and challenge to try one of Mr. Catini’s pipes, then tell you folks my thoughts on the craftsmanship and experience I’ve had with the pipe of my own choosing.
An unexpected hobby – Daily Campus – Opinion.
The above article is something I’ve felt and have commented on before. This is not a hobby that should die just because people think it’s antiquated or harmful from the tobacco.
Inherently, yes, tobacco is bad health-wise, but in my opinion, that’s not for any government or institution to decide. I’m a grown man, I can and will make the choice for myself, knowing the risks.
I got an email from Pipesmagazine.com letting the community know that the government is proposing a huge tax increase on tobacco products.
H.R. 4439, the Tobacco Tax Parity Act of 2010 was introduced on January 13, 2010 and would raise the tax on pipe tobacco 775% from $2.8311 to $24.78 per pound.
Now, in fairness, I can understand a slight tax increase, even though I don’t agree with it. But this?! It’s just unspeakably ridiculous.
There’s a petition that everyone can sign and have emails and/or letters sent to our congressmen and senators. Follow the link below.
http://pipesmagazine.com/blog/pipe-news/stop-the-pipe-tobacco-tax/
Now, what’s your thoughts?
In the past, I would post items for sale on ebay.com and had thought about posting pipes I’ve restored, cleaned up, or carved on Ebay. But then came my wife’s idea of a better place. You see, several of us in our family has different hobbies. I like pipes and pipe related things. Cyndi, my wife, enjoys all kinds of crafts, modifying computer components, and art projects. My sister-in-law (Cyndi’s sister) has found a passion for jewelry making, and Bob, their brother, has done several rock carvings and other interesting crafts that take a ton of time to do.
Since we each have our creative side flaring, Cyndi decided to rope us all into providing store content on Etsy.com. Sounds like fun to me. Besides, it’s easier to post a new item on Etsy.
Hence, the creation of the Ballew Family Artisans. You can grab the link there, or always find it on the top in the sidebar. I have a lot of pipes to work on, so hopefully those will go up real soon.
|
