The Netherlands - Dutch Government changes in regulations for Cigar Vendors in recent years (as cited by YouTube reviewer and LCDH owner, Dutchcigars)

[JohnS]

Dirk, otherwise known online on his YouTube and Instagram channels as Dutchcigars, is a passionate lover of Habanos cigars. You may or may not be aware of his great reviews he used to regularly do of Cuban cigars on his channels. That is...until he decided to go into a 50/50 partnership to purchase a La Casa del Habanos in mid-2019 in Maastricht, in the southeastern Netherlands. 

If the Coronavirus pandemic from 2020 to 2023 and the rationalisation of Habanos S.A's business in mid-2022, weren't bad enough, Dirk has had to contend with what I think are overly strict legislative moves by the Dutch Government since opening his business. Now, I'm an Australian so when I refer to Government legislation in regard to cigars being 'strict', you know that is quite something! (I mean, Australian Government regulations are very anti-tobacco in themselves). 

Obviously, Dirk's YouTube channel took a period of hiatus in the last few years but he has still managed to upload new reviews and updates from time to time. Below is the video he did discussing how many changes he has had to make to keep his business open, in response to legislation changes by the Dutch Government...

To summarise, I have put into bullet points the issues he brings up in this video...

* Sealed up windows to prevent views of cigars from the street.
* Remove references to the word 'cigar', in any language, from any signage. (It means that currently a number of people come into the store not knowing what type of business it is.)
* The Cigar Lounge closed down because smoking cigars indoors is no longer allowed.
* On-line sales of cigars is now forbidden. Only cigar accessories can be sold on-line. (Cigar sales must now be face-to-face.)
* Limiting customers to buying a maximum number of cigars because there is less stock.
* Credit Companies aren't helpful on sales either.
* It has been necessary to diversify the business by selling Alcohol (at a LCDH!).

Through it all, Dirk has managed to keep a smile on his face, as he regularly does in all his videos, but I just can't believe how far the Dutch Government has gone in introducing these changes.  

We did have a prior warning of it all though. Reinhold C. Widmayer having written an article on these developments in Cigar Journal Magazine in April, 2018.

https://www.cigarjournal.com/the-netherlands-are-on-the-edge-of-prohibition/

[NSXCIGAR]

I met Dirk at the Habanos Festival last year and he's exactly as you see on his channel. Very nice guy and very positive despite the hurdles he's having to overcome. An asset to the cigar community who I hope is able to have success. 

[Arabian]

Such a weird government, you can show prostitutes through the windows but not premium cigars? Plus what about those weed shops?

I never had alcohol in my life, but what's next? Plain packaging and hiding bottles behind closed cupboard doors?

 

 

[ha_banos]

He is very tall. So is Alex Stipcic.

I've been following the story since he bought the store. Frustrating. I want to visit though.

The WHO says "The Netherlands has reached a significant milestone by becoming the fourth country in the world, following Türkiye, Brazil and Mauritius, to adopt the 6 cost-effective and high-impact policy measures known as MPOWER that help countries reduce demand for tobacco. This achievement is featured in the newly published WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic."

Indeed why tobacco has been demonised? I'm going to do a study on who's at the head of the tobacco and alcohol companies.

We should all move to live somewhere sensible together. The whole cigar community as one community. Can you imagine it? The arguing, the love, the debates.

There's just no such thing as a sensible government nor politicians. We know this.

 

 

[99call]

8 minutes ago, ha_banos said:

There's just no such thing as a sensible government nor politicians. We know this.

The sad fact is, behind closed doors, in wood panelled rooms, those same politicians will be smoking away happily with access to whatever they want. 

[ha_banos]

16 minutes ago, 99call said:

The sad fact is, behind closed doors, in wood panelled rooms, those same politicians will be smoking away happily with access to whatever they want. 

We should keep an eye out for [Dutch] politicians smoking and drinking. Obviously I have nothing better to do.

[Chibearsv]

2 hours ago, Arabian said:

I never had alcohol in my life, but what's next? plain packaging and hiding bottles behind closed cupboard doors.

According to big government, you shouldn't be able to stop yourself. They should do a study on you and your odd behavior of self control and self responsibility. 

[El Presidente]

Dirk gets my "Yey for the Day" award. 

Yout want to help him, and people like him, out. You just want to fly there, buy a cigar and then shove it up some politicians arse. 

[NSXCIGAR]

17 hours ago, ha_banos said:

He is very tall.

Ha, yes he is! At least 6'6" I would say. I was a bit surprised but I shouldn't have been--the Dutch are the tallest people in the world.