Nov 4th, Meet Scott Sherman, Candidate for SD City Council 5pm to 7pm!
Wow, could it be possible?! A cigar smoker on the SD City Council. Lets hope so. But first there is work to be done. Namely fundraising and that's what this event is. Come prepared to 'drop something in the bucket and financially help this long time friend and customer of Liberty Tobacco. as he plans to correct some longtime ills with our fine city. BBQ and Cigars!

Nov 5th, Liberty Goes Retro
We will be unveiling the newest smoke from La Gloria Cubana, "The Artesanos Retro Especiale"! General Cigar's Michael Giannini will be our honoured guest for the occasion. 50 lovely Cuban art prints will be given away! Actions starts at 1pm!

Nov 10th, Eric Stokkebye
Eric Stokkebye from the famous Stokkebye family will join us at our Kearny Mesa Store. An afternoon of fun, pipes, and cigars. Known worldwide for their pipe tobacco, Stokkebye is also the producers behind the Libertad and 1888 cigars. Come check out deals on Villiger Cigars, Pipe Tobacco, and Rolling Tobacco.

Nov18th thru 27th, Annual Pipe Show & Sale
Your yearly chance to pick up a hi-grade briar or meerschaum pipe at a bargain price. Holiday shoppers make note. Great gift opportunities for dad, hubby, or anyone else on your holiday list! Look for price breaks on tobacco and accessories also. Daily prizes and giveaways!

Nov 23rd, Battle of the Wishbones
This day is dedicated to Liberty Tobacco turkeys (and we have a few). Food and snacks all day long concluding with our 35th annual Wishbone contest. Blow off work early and join us for this fun event. $5 entry fee with all proceeds going to Home Front San Diego. A box of fine cigars to the winner-$200 value!

Brought to you by the IPCPR, International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association.

It is up to us to support H.R. 1639 and protect our rights!

Bill may be Reconsidered in 2012; Retail Tobacconists, Private Clubs Exempt

July 11, 2011 - What looked to be a closed case for Senate Bill (SB) 575, legislation to expand the state's smoking ban while exempting retail tobacco shops and private lounges, briefly looked to be back in action in the Assembly's Government Operations Committee. 

As every state has its political history, SB575 may well be remembered for quite some time following a contentious reconsideration by the Assembly committee. The committee chair declined to allow the bill's sponsor to speak before his bill was considered. Witnesses in favor of the legislation were also denied the opportunity to present testimony--something that rarely happens in Sacramento. 

Though the committee has scheduled another hearing for Wednesday, SB575 will not be on the agenda and will not be brought back for reconsideration (again) for the rest of the 2011 legislative session. The bill may be reconsidered in 2012--as expected.  

Professional lobbying by the IPCPR's state lobbyists, legislative visits with retailers and the IPCPR's legislative director, and coordination with the Cigar Association of America secured key exemptions for retail tobacco shops and private cigar lounges. 

The intent of SB 575 was to tighten loopholes in the state's labor code being exploited by certain businesses where smoking continued despite the statewide ban. 

We will continue monitoring the State Assembly for SB 575 and other similar legislation attempting to expand the state's smoking ban and will report accordingly. 

A poorly drafted, flawed measure would raise taxes in California!
Get the facts and take action at California's Against Out-OF-Control
Taxes & Spending!

Urge your Members of Congress to Co-Sponsor HR1639! This includes a federal cigar definition and exemption for the FDA's Tobacco Control Act legislation! If you are for less government interference and less taxation then this bill is for you. The FDA was given authority to regulate tobacco products by President Obama in 2009 by signing the Tobacco Control Act. HR1639 will provide for an exemption on cigars therefore keeping the government from further regulating and taxing the cigar and retail tobacconist industry. These means you continue to enjoy your freedoms! Act Today by contacting your members of Congress and urging them to support HR1639!

The expanded Smoking Ban passes in the Senate Labor and Industrial
Relations Committee with a 5-2 vote. The bill has been referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee. Action you can take, contact your member of the California Assembly and Senate and sign the CRA Petition. Click Here!

City of Long Beach, CA is once again looking to steal an American Citizen’s rights! April 12th, 2011 at 5pm Long Beach City Council will attempt a continuum of a Smoking Ordinance and Moratorium against new cigar lounges from opening within Long Beach City Limits.
Please call and email these Council Members with your constructive and educated position.  As U.S. Citizens whose pursuit of happiness is to enjoy a cigar.
Click Here for Contact Information
Click Here for more information on the ordinance

Senate Bill 575 would ban smoking in all retail tobacco businesses, private clubs, hotel lobbies, bars, taverns, banquet rooms, warehouse facilities, and employee break rooms.
Sign a petition in opposition of State Senate Bill 575

Today more than ever before there is an active assault on your right to choose! With so many bills on the California ballot that would deny you the right to enjoy luxury tobacco products you must let your voice be heard! These bills would eliminate your right to enjoy a legal product. A product that built America, that is steeped in tradition, which allows for relaxation and pleasure, that is associated with the good life; Cigars and Pipe Tobacco! When people hear tobacco it is usually associated with cigarettes. The taxes, although excessive are deemed acceptable by most. Unfortunately the very same taxes affect Cigars and Pipe Tobacco as well. If you feel you have been taxed enough on a product you enjoy, that these taxes are intrusive, then I urge you to visit the CRA, sign the petitions, and let your elected officials know where you stand. Make no mistake; the organizations behind all the restrictions and taxation are very well organized. Send a clear message today by joining the Cigar Rights of America!

Saturday, March 5th at Liberty Tobacco Del Mar and Sunday March 6th at Liberty Tobacco Kearny Mesa. Come in, relax, and enjoy a premium cigar with Al Argenti and Andy the Cigar Guy! The Entubar is Berger & Argenti's flagship blend. It boasts Nicaraguan and Dominican filler leaves, a Nicaraguan binder, and a Ecuadorian wrapper! Look for specials and discounts on Berger & Argenti product, including free smokes with purchase & big discounts on box purchases! Limited food and drink will be available.

Word this week from Sacramento brought news of several state bills that could impact the lives of all California cigar and pipe smokers.
SB 330 proposes to increase the cigarette excise tax rate by $1.50 a pack and an equivalent tax on cigars and pipe tobacco.
SB 331 proposes to restrict tobacco sales within 600 feet of schools.
SB 332 proposes to allow landlords to ban smoking in and around their rental properties.
SB 417 would prevent welfare recipients from using their Electronic Benefit Transfer to purchase alcohol or tobacco products.
SB 575 would ban smoking in retail and wholesale tobacco shops, meeting and banquet rooms, warehouses, break rooms and at businesses with five or fewer employees.
Further, there is a good likelihood that an initiative to increase the excise tax on cigarettes by $1.00, and therefore other tobacco products (cigars and pipe tobacco) could be on the June 2011 ballot. We will do our best to keep you updated on these proposals and events. To read more click here to read article published by the Associated Press, written by Don Thompson, February 21st, 2011.

Join us for San Diego State Aztec's basketball, on Saturday, February 26th, at 11 am! Enjoy a great smoke, food, and propositions, as the Aztecs take on rival BYU. The locals will seek to avenge their only loss of the season and improve on their NCAA Tournament seed! Click here for more information! Available at both Liberty Tobacco locations.

New picture gallery, Macanudo Day! Macanudo Day was an event held by Liberty Tobacco and General Cigar to celebrate Macanudo's 50th anniversary and to unveil Macanudo's newest cigar the Cru Royale. One lucky person at the event won a thousand dollars! That's right, a thousand dollars!

True North Tavern is putting on a cigar dinner Tuesday February 15th
8pm - 10pm! This is for the person who loves amazing food, great cigars, and delicious beverages! There will be a 4 course meal and 3 great cigars provided by Joya de Nicaragua. One of the cigars will be the big daddy Perfecto Gordo Cabinetta, which is very limited! What more could you ask for, cigars, a 4 course meal, entertainment, vodka, great service and best of all great comrades! For More Information Click Here!

Sal Fontana, a top executive at Camacho Cigars passed away yesterday at the age of 86. Fontana is responsible for one of Camacho's best cigars, The Triple Maduro. He will be missed by all of us in the cigar industry. Read More.

Texas is looking to raise the minimum age for Use and Purchase of tobacco to 19. It seems to me that there is some confusion, you are considered an adult at the age of 18 right? Texas considers 18 old enough to fight for the country, vote, marry, etc... However when it comes making a choice on weather or not to smoke, Texas considers 18 year olds to be adolescents. Read More.

Charlie fights for your rights! Charlie has always been very proactive ensuring that luxury tobacco will remain available and affordable to all. One way he does this is by staying abreast of new tax initiatives.
A couple of weeks ago Charlie made a last minute trip to Sacramento to monitor a qualified initiative that may be moved up to the June 2011 ballot. His report is as follows.
"As we enter 2011 the eyes of all California cigar and pipe smokers are on Sacramento and Governor Brown’s plan for a special election for June of this year.  Currently, there is a qualified initiative that includes an increase in the tobacco tax (cigarette and OTP) waiting to be voted on by the public in February, 2012.   This tax would raise the rate on OTP (Other Tobacco Products) – cigars and pipe tobacco and smokeless tobacco – from a current rate of 33% to 65-70%.   However, if the legislature allows the Governor’s budget plan to go out for vote in June, it is highly likely that this measure would be moved up and placed on the June ballot.  The legislature is now considering the idea of a June ballot.   Stay tuned for updates."
For more information on this initiative and Governor Jerry Brown tax increases read the following "Jerry on a Leash" by Jon Coupal 1/23/11.

Remember tonight the San Diego Pipe Club Monthly Meeting! With the New Year they are starting monthly meetings the Third Thursday of each month. The first will be on January 20th at 6:30 pm at True North Tavern in North Park. 3815 30th Street, San Diego, CA 92104. For any questions email sandiegopipeclub@gmail.com.

Liberty Tobacco Kearny Mesa "Pipe Smoking Class", February 20th! Cedric will be teaching about the nuances of proper pipe smoking, tobacco selection, care and cleaning of briar and meerschaum pipes, and how to select the right tobacco pipe! Food and drinks will be provided. Call to reserve your spot 858-292-1772.

"Brick House Bash" at both Liberty Tobacco Locations, January 27th!

New Page and Video "Experience Liberty Tobacco Del Mar"! This video showcases Liberty Tobacco's newest shop in North San Diego County. The shop is located in the beautiful Flower Hill Mall in Del Mar California where the "Surf Meets the Turf"!

New picture gallery "Legends of Liberty Luncheon"! The Legends of Liberty Luncheon is an annual event that Liberty Tobacco puts on to thank its customers for being a part of the "Liberty Tobacco Experience"! This year the event was held at the Butcher Shop! The meal was spectacular, the fellowship phenomenal, and the experience one of a kind! This truly is a unique community.

San Diego State University studies "Third-Hand Smoke"! "When smokers move out, carcinogens remain" by Janet Lavelle, Dec. 16, 2010.

Liberty Tobacco adds a You Tube Channel with cigar reviews and more!

Liberty Tobacco in the Flower Hill Mall is profiled in General Snus Shop Talk

Liberty Tobacco has a Facebook Fan Page, you can post, review, upload photos, videos, and interact with other customers or the staff! Be informed about coupons, sales, events, new legislation, and tobacco news.

Liberty Tobacco now has a Twitter account. If you would like information on discounts, events, and sales at Liberty Tobacco, follow us on Twitter at Liberty_Tobacco.