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Cigars and Tobacco

Big cigars are iconic for Cuba, like rum and salsa. The eight cigar factories in Havana are producing brands like Cohiba and Montechristo, they are known worldwide. The most beautiful factory in Havana is located directly beside the Capitolio. Its name is Partagas. In the countryside you can also find tobacco factories, especially in the province Pinar del Rio. The region "Vuelta Abajo" is the main cultivation area. Here are living the tobacco legends Vegas Robaina & co.

History

The cultivation and the consumption of tobacco has its roots in America - long before Columbus arrived to the continent. The Spanish sailors brought the drug to Europe, where it spread rapidly. Already in 1603 people starded to raise resistance to the consumption, the king of England doubted the medical benefits. The resistance was without victory, the habit of smoking spread worldwide. As a consequence some of the prohibitions were replaced by targeted tax policy. In the 19th and 20th century the cigars and pipes were slowly replaced by cigarettes. Compared to the cigars and pipes - its consume was sign of indulgence - the cigarettes were expression of the new spirit of time. Fast moving society or wickedness was demonstrated with the cigarette. Especially in Germany the consumption of tobacco became very popular. In the beginning of the 1930's  Germany was the biggest importer of tobacco. Adolf Hitler described tobacco as the "Revenge of the American Indians" for the alcohol.
 

Compared to most parts of the western world the consumption of nicotine was always socially accepted in Cuba. Smoking restricted areas are rare, even in the waiting hall of hospitals you can see people smoking. Despite the popularity of cigars, cigarettes, alcohol and relatively unhealthy food, the life expectancy is surpassing high.

A positive aspect of Cuban tobacco is, that it's all "organic". Farmers are not using chemical dung and the addition of addiction reinforcing substances like hydorgen cyanide is frowned upon. 

Tobacco Factories

Even if you are a non-smoker - a visit to a tobacco factory is always worth it. You might get the impression of time travelling. In the great and ancient halls of the factories, workers are still rolling cigars by hand. There are no engines or automated processes.

To make the monotonous workday easier for the "Torcederos" (the people, who are rolling the cigars) factories are hiring people to read from the "Granma" (political newspaper) or poetries. There are also no limits for smoking breaks. Despite the relatively boring work, the job is popular among Cubans. There is a minimum amount of cigars, that need to be produced for the government. Every cigar above this amount is for personal requirements.

Accordingly everyone at the Cuban black market has a cousin or uncle working for in one of the factories. But be careful: Buying cigars on the streets can be risky. Even if they look like the original - the quality is always worse. Only few can tell you the difference between orginal and imitation. A sign for an original is, that the ash should stay long on the cigar - it's also important to smoke the cigar slowly. This sign is hard to check on the black market.

The cheapest opportuinity to buy original cigars are the so-called "Marca de la Casa" (own-brand) at the official state-owned tobacco factories. They are not having the typical revenue stamp but are comparable to the, much more expensive, brand cigars.

Not only the import of cigars to Europe is limited, even the export is. If you are not able to show a receipt of a state-owned tobacco shop, you can only export a maximum of 25 cigars. The Cuban authorities are strict with this law and will check your hand luggage.

More information about the country and people of Cuba, you can find here.

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