Скачать или смотреть USA: WASHINGTON: CIGAR LOVERS HOLD PROTEST

(2 Mar 1995) English/Nat

Cigar lovers held a protest in Washington Wednesday against the increasing crackdown on their favourite pastime.

Hundreds attended the Ash Wednesday demonstration in Lafayette Park - across from the non-smoking White House.

Cigar smoking - long a practice of the sophisticated and intellectual salons of Europe - has finally blown into the States.

And hundreds of cigar smokers converged on Washington's Lafayette Park for a show of strength.

SOUNDBITE:
"This is just an opportunity to bring in fellow cigar smokers from all over America...35 states...15 foreign countries...we are just here to say hello and have a good time."
SUPER CAPTION: Marvin Shanken - Event organiser

Demonstrators believe there are many good reasons to puff on a fine Havana.

SOUNDBITE:
"It focuses my mind and allows me to think. I'm a college student and I read a lot of economics stuff. The best thing to do is to sit down with a good cigar and do whatever."
SUPER CAPTION: George Geddas - Cigar lover

SOUNDBITE:
"It will turn you into Type B...You can't hurry up and smoke a cigar you have to relax and enjoy yourself do after a meal with cognac.. You have this glowing and you just relax and I like the way it tastes the smoking earthy flavor of a cigar."
SUPER CAPTION: Diane Jeanine - Cigar lover

SOUNDBITE:
"It's the relaxation and I like them after dinner."
SUPER CAPTION: Bruce Marvin - Cigar lover

SOUNDBITE:
"Get the aroma and the flavor in your mouth you let it roll around and you blow it out - its great."
SUPER CAPTION: Bob Townsend - Cigar lover

Four generations of cigar lovers made the trip from Florida.

Their mission: to fight for their right to pursue their expensive pastime unhindered.

SOUNDBITE:
"It's an awareness...cigar smokers are human. There's millions of us have fun...enjoy life that we respect other people's rights."
SUPER CAPTION: Bob Newman - Cigar lover

Hollywood also had a representative in Washington.

Actor Joe Pantoliano says cigars are a hot trend catching on in Tinsel Town.

SOUNDBITE:
"You can be in an airport or a restaurant and you smoke cigars a people flock to you...it's like a badge...or private thing...where people trust you because you are a cigar smoker and I've never been let down...disappointed."
SUPER CAPTION: Joe Pantoliano - Actor

The cigar lovers followed up the day's protest with a gala evening of eating and smoking at a top Washington hotel.

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