New Yorkers Fight For Their Right to Smoke

On Monday, June 24, the New York Tobacconist’s Association will host its second annual Stogiethon, a fundraising event to benefit the organization’s legislative initiatives in Albany. The NYTA, which was founded in 2010, is an activist organization of New York’s tobacconists formed to battle anti-tobacco taxation and legislation on both the state and local level.

Like last year’s Stogathon (now called Stogiethon), the event will take place in Long Island City, this time at Studio Square, a massive event and entertainment complex.

“This year’s event promises to be an upbeat, classy, dignified and delicious event. It will be about celebrating the camaraderie that cigar smoking brings as well as the delight one experiences when smoking an outstanding, celebratory cigar,” said Rob Roth, president of the NYTA and owner of Nice Ash Cigars and Lounge in Buffalo, New York.

The night will begin at 7 p.m. with a cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres. Guests will then be served a sit-down dinner. There will be an open bar for the duration of the night, and guests will receive more than 20 cigars, including smokes from Altadis U.S.A. Inc., Alec Bradley Cigar Co., Arturo Fuente, CLE Cigar Co., Davidoff of Geneva, Drew Estate, La Flor Dominicana, Nat Sherman and Rocky Patel Premium Cigars.

Roth says many cigarmakers have promised to bring cigars that have not yet been made available to the public.

The event will also feature a silent auction and raffle. While the auction lots have not been finalized yet, one definite will be the chance to create your own personal cigar blend courtesy of Rocky Patel Premium Cigar Co.

“As you can imagine our efforts are very expensive with our lobbyist fees, travel, conference calls, et cetera,” said Roth. “The success of this event means we can continue to fight for the reduction in taxes imposed by New York state and help the cigar smokers and tobacconists of New York.”

Tickets to the event cost $250 per person, and can be purchased online at stogiethon.eventbrite.com. There is an early-bird price of $225 per ticket for those who order before June 10. Also, tables of 10 can be reserved for $2,000.

To buy your tickets:

Http://www.newyorktobacconist.org/stogiethon/

Posted on June 4th, 2013 by Aaron Morris
Filed under: News