Jump to full article: In Denver (CO) Times, 2009-06-24
Author: Gary Massaro
Intro: So I was sitting in a leather couch at El Cid’s, watching my cigar smoke drift upward and listening to the guys talk about politics and stuff that really matters in life, like the tobacco tax going up again.
El Cid’s has been a nice place to go to hide. No editors at the old Rocky, may it rest in peace, knew about it. And, by God, the tobacco-less creatures would never venture into North Denver to find it. . . .
Guys talked about finer cigars. Gregg with Three G’s had just become my new best friend because he treated me to a $10 cigar to mark the demise of the old Rocky.
And then the conversation turned bitter, to talk of the new tobacco tax coming up in April.
Back when the Republicans ran the statehouse in the ‘80s, whenever they saw a need to raise taxes, they’d call on Sen. “Sin Tax” Tillie Bishop to carry the hike on tobacco and alcohol. He was from Grand Junction in probably the safest district in the state. So he’d sponsor the increase, it would pass and he would be re-elected to another term.
But now, it's the feds who are raising the tax on tobacco.
Ronaldo Ron said that a can of imported pipe tobacco was being priced out of the market.
"I sell the can for $24,” he said. “The new tax alone is going up an additional $28 a can. My customers can’t afford to buy it.”
And as I looked up at that magnificent handmade ceiling, watching my cigar smoke waft upward, I realized that I would have to kick the habit.
I can do without the cigars. I will miss my visits to El Cid’s. No sense sitting around, sucking on a nicotine lozenge and watching the guys who can afford it continue to puff away.
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