CIGAR ASSOCATION of WASHINGTON

Purpose and Mission:

It is unfortunate that we live in a time where special interests and social do-gooders with extreme agendas and seemingly limitless funding seek to micro-manage almost every aspect of our lives. Those of us who have chosen to engage in the business and enjoyment of premium cigars know this far better than most.

Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience. C.S. Lewis (1898-1963).

The Cigar Association of Washington has been formed to bring together the independent small business owners of Washington who engage in the business of retailing cigars and other tobacco products.

Our combined purpose and mission is to work together to maintain a climate in Washington that allows us to successfully run our businesses without un-reasonable restrictions, regulations, taxation and bans.

We believe that the clientele that support our businesses should not face un-reasonable restrictions regarding the consumption of the products that we sell. Reasonable accommodations should be returned and maintained ensuring the economic viability of our trade and the rights of our customers.

The state of Washington and its citizens derive great economic benefit from the contributions of our businesses. In fact, consumers of Cigars and Other Tobacco Products voluntarily contribute additional revenue to the state through the payment of tobacco use taxes that would otherwise be unrealized.

Cigars and Other Tobacco Products are legal in Washington and it is not un-reasonable to expect that the state would make some exception allowing venues to exist that cater to consumers of these products.

We the members of the Cigar Association of Washington pledge to work together towards these ends.