February, 2005 Retail Profile: Smoker Friendly International: Gaining Ground By Bob Ashley One of the earliest cigarette/tobacco stores (CTS) in the industry has today grown to a 300-store "affiliate chain" that continues to evolve and define its mission. Cigar Marketing: Custom Cigars Score a Victory By E. Edward Hoyt III One of the fastest growing brands in the cigar business isn't a brand at all, but rather Victory Cigar's custom banding business which has racked up thousands of highly satisfied customers. Smoking Rights: Sending a Message... By Bill Griewe Special interests may have undue influence on legislation that's harmful to our tobacco business, but legislators still answer to constituents. Smokers are a voting block, and their voice counts - but we must speak up! Retailer and Tobacco Industry News SMOKESHOP's Industry news department, bringing you up-to-date information and breaking stories about manufacturers, distributors, and wholesalers. Swedish Match to Acquire Full Ownership of General Cigar Company U.S. Tightens Ban on Cuban Cigars, Home and Abroad Ottawa Introduces Self-extinguishing Cigarette Rules Xikar Adds UPC Bar Coding to Cutters, Knives Cuba Imposes Widespread Public Smoking Ban Canadian Court Oks 'Cigarette Curtain' Law Diablo Cigar Halloween Launch Events Raise Hell De La Concha Pairs CAO Cigars with Potocki Vodka Heavenly, Puros Indios, Help Trump & Leno Raise Funds Gifts and Accessories for Cigar, Pipe, and Cigarette Smokers RTDA STEPS UP TO THE PLATE... - by E. Edward Hoyt III What's Happening and Where in the Tobacco Industry Trends and Trendsetters in Specialty Tobacco Retailing Merchandise and News from the Pipe World Tobacco Products and Industry Promotions SMOKESHOP (ISSN 0146-9266), established in 1970, is published bi-monthly by Lockwood Trade Journal Co., Inc., 26 Broadway, Floor 9M, New York, NY 10004 USA. Copyright © 1998 by Lockwood Trade Journal Co. Inc. HTML production and copyright © 1999-2004 by Keys Technologies. All rights reserved.