General concensus is the show was well organized and the venue good (at the Venetian) – albeit small for Asia and not well attended by the Chinese.
This aside, there were a good number of visitors from most Asian countries and the level and quantity of inquiries should translate into future business. Most of this took place during the first two days – the third was dead and many stands wrapped-up early.
The show may have been better attended (by the Chinese) if it had been held in a major China location like Shanghai or Beijing – or even Hong Kong. Still, this may not have been pragmatic as the Chinese authorities have been difficult with visas since well before the Olympics.
The Venetian resort was stunning; even surreal, it didn’t feel like China and for those who stepped outside it was equally surreal. The Venetian is located on Macau’s Cotai Strip; well away from the Ferry / older city area. The new strip is surrounded by half-built mega-casinos going up all around and when it’s finished it will look like a not-too-mini Las Vegas.
As a foot-note to the global meltdown, most construction work halted, with the lay-off of 7,000 construction workers, a few days after the show ended.
Another show is provisionally scheduled for 2010.
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Public health advocates in the US are trying to curb cigar and cigarillo use, especially among young people, by campaigning to have these products taxed at the same rate as cigarettes; currently the Federal excise tax on cigarettes is 39 cents per pack of 20 pieces compared with the cigar excise tax of a maximum of five cents per piece. Little cigars, which are equivalent to the size of cigarettes and are also sold in packs of 20 pieces are taxed at 4 cents per pack. The US Treasury Department’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau defines cigars as any roll of tobacco wrapped in tobacco leaf or a substance containing tobacco. Debra Annand, director of health education services for the American Lung Association, said many young people do not perceive the consumption of flavored cigarillos as smoking, and Federal regulations define cigars in a way that allows manufacturers to avoid the higher taxes imposed on cigarettes. The Cigar Association of America estimates that per capita consumption of cigars has more than doubled since 1990. The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids estimates that consumption of little cigars, which resemble cigarettes except in color, has increased 154% between 1998 and 2006. The group also wants States to tax all tobacco products to bring them in line with cigarette taxes. Art Resnick, a spokesman for the Treasury Department’s tobacco tax bureau, said it is reviewing public comments and considering possible changes to the definition of little cigars since the National Association of Attorneys General said manufacturers are essentially disguising cigarettes as cigars to take advantage of the tax difference. AS for the flavorings used in cigars, Norman Sharp of the Cigar Association said they go back to the 1500s, and in the 1600s people in the Netherlands smoked tobacco flavored with lavender, rosemary, nutmeg and coriander (Washington Post 11/4).
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As I think of the affect this will have on my business I wonder what retailers, smokers or other manufacturers think about this possibility?
Are you a little cigar smoker? Why do you smoke little cigars? Were you a cigarette smoker?
If your a retailer what affect do you think a change this drastic will mean to your business?
Do you think cigar smoking is as bad as smoking cigarettes. Do you think the premium sector of the cigar business should be taxed the same? And what about the thought of all tobacco being taxed the same? I have heard some encourage that tobacco products should be taxed as it relates to it’s harm level. What are your thoughts? I’d like to know!
