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Posted

Well the Forces of Darkness in the Federal Government have finalised their Plain Packaging Legislation for Cigars. It will quickly pass parliament (both houses) and will come into effect December 2012 subject to legal challenge currently underway.

Let's assume it gets up. What does it mean for FOH.

  1. It doesn't affect Exports ie Shipments outside of the country. Nor does it affect the OLH (on line humidor) stock.
  2. For Aussie members who do not want plain packaging (yes...all of us), I have arranged an offshore portal for you to order through. Your shipments will come into Australia with no plain packaging nor health warnings. This will be in effect by the last quarter of this year.
  3. The PSP/HQ/PE program will be greatly scaled down if not terminated. Stock up while it continues. Through necessity we will move a significant part of our operation offshore (well underway) and simple time mathematics will not allow me to pick 100% of FOH stock.
  4. The Aussie *****A program will grow and grow as a true underground movement. Spread the word, be active and give the politicians hell. It is important that you are not disenfranchised. Know your local and national cigar loving brethren and get together.

As many of you know this legislation is being picked up by Canada and the UK subject to the success of legal challenge here in Australia. It really is important that you organise your consumer associations now.

The reality is that FOH by going truly global (distribution based largely offshore), will explode in its growth. It is something I have avoided for 5 years as I enjoy the simplicity of being an Aussie based supplier to mates worldwide. Still we have to move with the times and the challenges put in front of us.

Let me be very bloody clear.

When the worlds major countries ban tobacco sales, I will be one of the last pirates standing. I will be standing next to you, glass in hand, cigar in mouth, middle finger fully extended biggrin.gif

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Posted

Adapt or die is what they say. In turbulent times it's always comforting to have a bold, forward thinking leader at the helm. I respect and fully support what you and your crew do. Keep fighting the good fight!

Posted

When the worlds major countries ban tobacco sales...

What makes me truly sad is that I fully believe this will happen in my lifetime. :tantrum::(

I'll be with you, Whisky in Hand and Middle finger raised, Rob! :mob:

Posted

Canada, the UK, and Australia - there is some very nasty cultural commonality here that is castrating us. What gives? Where does this prudishness come from?

No PE/HQ/PSP program? Will this not be the end of the LFTH?

I hate politicians.

Posted

Bravo my friend, bravo!

I get in a lot of heat here for my political opinions but I have gotta' say it again. When companies move off shore it is not this class warfare leftism BS that is always preached as the cause. When a man's (or woman's) government causes him to not be able to sell his product to his own countrymen due to regulatory tyranny, a right minded man, yes a capitalist, will move his business to a more business friendly location or go out of business.

I hate the effin' nanny state! This is a prime reason why the left is anti-business and anti-freedom as well as anti-smoker. Smoking is freedom my friends. My government tells me what kind of light bulbs I can buy, if I can replace my garbage disposal, and how much water I can use to push my own crap down my own toilet. There is noting in my house that does not have the fed's fingerprints on it, except my cigars. I BUY THEM OFFSHORE!

Smoking laws are tyranny. Smoking is freedom. The difference between the two is that simple.

Rob if I have gone overboard just toss my post. Sorry! -Ray

Posted

What makes me truly sad is that I fully believe this will happen in my lifetime. :tantrum::(

Pssst! Chance. Let's cut out behind the shed for a couple of snorts on a PSD4.

Posted

Bravo my friend, bravo!

I get in a lot of heat here for my political opinions but I have gotta' say it again. When companies move off shore it is not this class warfare leftism BS that is always preached as the cause. When a man's (or woman's) government causes him to not be able to sell his product to his own countrymen due to regulatory tyranny, a right minded man, yes a capitalist, will move his business to a more business friendly location or go out of business.

I hate the effin' nanny state! This is a prime reason why the left is anti-business and anti-freedom as well as anti-smoker. Smoking is freedom my friends. My government tells me what kind of light bulbs I can buy, if I can replace my garbage disposal, and how much water I can use to push my own crap down my own toilet. There is noting in my house that does not have the fed's fingerprints on it, except my cigars. I BUY THEM OFFSHORE!

Smoking laws are tyranny. Smoking is freedom. The difference between the two is that simple.

Rob if I have gone overboard just toss my post. Sorry! -Ray

Why would I toss it mate. I agree with most of it excluding the Left and Right dichotomy. The Left is worse, the right spineless (no votes in tobacco). I disdain both sides.

In the end we will need to stand together and stand apart from both moronic groups. How do we teach our children the pervasive destructiveness of complete government control.

The only good thing is that when I go to jail I look good in pastels. Those bright orange prison uniforms will look bloody good on me rotfl.gif

Posted

Bravo my friend, bravo!

I get in a lot of heat here for my political opinions but I have gotta' say it again. When companies move off shore it is not this class warfare leftism BS that is always preached as the cause. When a man's (or woman's) government causes him to not be able to sell his product to his own countrymen due to regulatory tyranny, a right minded man, yes a capitalist, will move his business to a more business friendly location or go out of business.

I hate the effin' nanny state! This is a prime reason why the left is anti-business and anti-freedom as well as anti-smoker. Smoking is freedom my friends. My government tells me what kind of light bulbs I can buy, if I can replace my garbage disposal, and how much water I can use to push my own crap down my own toilet. There is noting in my house that does not have the fed's fingerprints on it, except my cigars. I BUY THEM OFFSHORE!

Smoking laws are tyranny. Smoking is freedom. The difference between the two is that simple.

Rob if I have gone overboard just toss my post. Sorry! -Ray

It isn't about right or left Ray. Step away from the ideology. It has much more to do with useless politicians finding traction in minority oppression. Both sides of the aisle do this. It doesn't take much historical analysis to reveal this simple truth.

Instead of pointing fingers (you will never get your right-wing utopia), how about looking for commonalities with people on specific issues. That is the best way to attack the simpletons of the world. Use logic. Find allies. What else can we do?

Posted

It isn't about right or left Ray. Step away from the ideology. It has much more to do with useless politicians finding traction in minority oppression. Both sides of the aisle do this. It doesn't take much historical analysis to reveal this simple truth.

Instead of pointing fingers (you will never get your right-wing utopia), how about looking for commonalities with people on specific issues. That is the best way to attack the simpletons of the world. Use logic. Find allies. What else can we do?

I am libertarian but have gotten a few people to wake up by showing them how the "organic" farms are being raided by SWAT teams and how food production is becoming so regulated. There is oppression on both sides, and it doesn't really matter what side you are on or who is in charge. Every year new regulations and laws come down that further restrict all of us.

Posted

Pres, you are a great man. Thank you for fighting for all of us.

Posted

Lucky me Japan still allows smoking in bars and in smoking areas in restaurants. But I do get scared when I see the world around me going crazy over stupid legislation. All that to get a few extra votes.

Although I don't agree with it, I understand the logic of not openly advertising tobacco products. But when it comes to hiding your brand, that's just plain encroaching. When did the government get the power to tell us how to run our companies? If there's one organisation that DOESN'T know how to function properly, it's the government. Why are we allowing them to tell us how to run a profitable company? Brand recognition is such a HUGE factor for companies; they spend hundreds of billions annually to make sure we know the difference between this brand and that brand and the government wants to come and throw all that effort and money down the pipes by essentially making our cigars brandless?

People will still know that what's in the brown paper bags behind the counter is tobacco. Don't be fooled: any argument in favour of that legislation could also be applied to similar restriction against alcohol. The great wineries of Australia would suffer losses that would cripple the whole industry. Now's the time to save our beloved cigars, but more importantly, to save the economy from poorly thought regulation.

Posted

Rob I salute you! :ok:

Time and time again I have seen the efforts you have gone to in helping support us Aussies it is above and beyond the call. You are a true legend :2thumbs:

Sharks

To rephrase a well known American gun quote to the Aussie Gov

"I'll give you my CIGAR when you pry it from my cold, dead hands!":peace:

Posted

Rob,

how offshore will this portal be?

will purchases from said portal be required to clear customs?

as we know how much fun that is here in oz :ph34r:

cheers

steve

Posted

New to these parts (joined today), but I'm loving it here already. I'd be keen to do my part- if there was a part that needed doing.

Inspiring message to say the least, awesome.

Posted

My thoughts? Bloody A+ Rob. Like you I will not be set upon by anyone when I choose to partake in a LEGAL product. Sheet, I even smoke in my workshop which is supposedly illegal but it is not when there are no employees or public access. ;)

Posted

Keep fighting the good fight Rob. GOod luck with everything. I hate politics...

Posted

What the hell is happening??

I hope this doesn't impact your product: top quality Cubans with superb service.

So there will be less psp hq and pe. I guess time to stock up. Does that mean any boxes we buy will not have health warning stickers?

How offshore are we talking about?

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