A couple of years ago California passed yet another tobacco tax but this time instead of just hitting the poor cigarette folks, this one stepped across the line and hit both cigars and chewing tobacco.

This means paying a 69% tax at the register. Which is on top of all the other taxes a B&M owner experiences like a floor tax, not to mention the cost to keep the lights on and employ people.

California also has this law where there's no smoking allowed in establishments that sell alcohol. Some places have established a work around by becoming a private club or lounge. But even this loophole is getting closed with the health department.

We've lost a lot of good lounges in the last couple years. It's a real shame too because a lot of these people were following the American dream by having their own business in a field that they personally enjoy.

So what happens at the lounges that are left outside of the big cities is having you pay $10 for a no name cigar or $15 for something in the back of a CI catalog.

Still, I try to go now and then to support those that are left. When I do I typically go top shelf because to me it feels better to pay $27 for a padrone then it does $15 for a "Monte Cristo".