Cigars For Troops: Sending A Taste Of Home To Afghanistan

Sending cigars to soldiers in Afghanistan is possible and even encouraged by some organisations. Cigars are among the most-requested items by soldiers serving overseas, as they are seen as a great way to de-stress and share a piece of home.

However, there are some challenges to sending cigars to soldiers in Afghanistan. One issue is the updated ruling by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2016 that prohibits cigar manufacturers from donating cigars. Additionally, some postal services may have restrictions on shipping cigars to military addresses.

To successfully send cigars to soldiers in Afghanistan, it is recommended to package and ship tobacco products correctly to ensure their quality upon arrival. Some organisations, such as Cigars for Warriors, also provide guidance and support for sending cigars to soldiers overseas.

Cigar donation centres

Cigars are one of the most requested items by soldiers serving overseas. They are a great way to bring a little piece of home to those serving abroad and to help them de-stress.

Cigars for Warriors

Cigars for Warriors is a non-profit charity organisation that collects and distributes premium cigars and accessories to US service members serving in combat zones. They have sent over 1.6 million donated cigars to troops around the world. They have over 540 drop-off centres across the US, and you can find your nearest one on their website.

Operation Deployed: Only Our Best

Operation Deployed is another non-profit group that gets goods to US troops stationed abroad. You can find them on social media.

Ammodor

Ammodor manufactures custom ammunition box humidors and is an active participant in various military gift-giving organisations and service providers, such as Humidors for Heroes.

Founders Cigar Company

Founders Cigar Company is a veteran-owned cigar brand that has partnered with Operation Cigars for Warriors. They have a donation page on their website.

Holt's Cigar Company

Holt's Cigar Company can send cigars directly to any APO or FPO address globally. They also offer a 10% discount to active military members, veterans, retirees, National Guardsmen, Armed Forces reservists, and First Responders.

Famous Smoke Shop

Famous Smoke Shop supports soldiers with Cigars for Troops and has sent care packages to Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Boveda

Boveda is a company that provides 2-way humidity control to protect cigars in transit. They have been a sponsor of Operation Cigars for Warriors since its inception in 2012 and have provided their product for free to protect cigar shipments.

Individual Donations

You can also send cigars directly to soldiers overseas. The United States Postal Service (USPS) has made the shipping process simple, and free shipping supplies, pricing, and customs forms are available on their website.

Cigar storage and packaging

Cigars are best stored in a humidor to prevent them from drying out and losing their flavour. A humidor is a box that regulates temperature and humidity to keep cigars fresh. The ideal humidity for cigars is 70% and the ideal temperature is 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you don't have a humidor, cigars can be stored in a Ziploc bag with a damp sponge or paper towel. This method will keep cigars fresh for around 30 days. Alternatively, cigars can be stored in an airtight Tupperware container or airtight jar for up to a month.

Cigars should be stored in their original box inside the humidor. The wooden boxes help to preserve the original flavour of the cigars and prevent them from taking on the taste of other cigars stored in the humidor. The boxes also protect cigars during travel.

When storing cigars in their original box, it is recommended to remove the outer cellophane wrapping to allow more humidified air to reach the cigars. The lid of the box can also be left slightly ajar to increase airflow.

Cigars should not be stored in the fridge or freezer as this will cause them to lose their essence. Cardboard packaging should also not be stored in a humidor as it can cause a musty smell.

Cigar manufacturers and the FDA

In 2016, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a ruling that prohibited cigar manufacturers from donating or sampling cigars. This was initially unclear as to whether it included sending cigars to U.S. troops, but it was later confirmed. This ruling was in place to prevent children from being negatively impacted by tobacco use.

The ruling meant that cigar manufacturers were no longer able to donate cigars to soldiers, a common practice that was believed to help boost morale and relieve stress. This was met with backlash, with many arguing that it was unacceptable for the FDA to prohibit the distribution of tobacco products to service members who are fighting to protect the rights that may now be restricted.

In 2023, a federal judge threw out the FDA rule, stating that it was arbitrary and capricious. The judge, Amit Mehta, said that the rule must be vacated unless there were "exceptional" circumstances. The FDA declined to comment, but a spokesperson noted that vacating the rule would leave premium cigars "entirely unregulated at the federal level."

The ruling was a victory for cigar enthusiasts and the cigar industry, which argued that regulation would add burdensome costs to manufacturers and that premium cigars do not appeal to young people and are therefore not associated with addiction.

Despite the pushback, the FDA continues to regulate the manufacture, import, packaging, labeling, advertising, promotion, sale, and distribution of cigars. This includes components and parts such as rolling papers and filters but excludes accessories like lighters and cutters. The FDA has also proposed stricter oversight of the manufacturing process of tobacco products, including premium cigars.

Cigar manufacturers must comply with various requirements, including warning statements on product packages and advertisements, and cigar warning plans. Retailers of cigars also have specific requirements, such as only selling to customers aged 18 and above and not giving away free samples.

Cigar charities

Cigars are often among the most requested items by soldiers serving overseas. They provide a sense of respite and a way to de-stress from the demands of military life. As such, there are several organizations dedicated to providing cigars to troops:

• Cigars for Warriors is a non-profit charity organization that collects and distributes premium cigars and accessories to US service members in combat zones. They have over 540 donation centers across the US and have sent over 1.6 million cigars to troops worldwide.
• Operation: Cigars for Warriors is another initiative by Founders Cigar Company, a veteran-owned brand, to support US troops with cigars.
• Holt's Cigar Company also allows individuals to send cigars directly to any APO or FPO addresses globally.
• Famous Smoke Shop's Cigars for Troops program has also sent care packages with cigars to soldiers in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
• CigarPEG, Inc. is a community of professionals that come together to network and socialize while also giving back to charitable causes.
• The Montecristo Relief Organization, associated with Altadis USA, provides immediate aid and support to communities affected by hurricanes and other natural disasters.
• The Rocky Patel Foundation aims to build a school in Honduras to provide education and a safe haven for homeless children in the area.

Other Cigar Charities

In addition to supporting soldiers, cigar charities also contribute to a variety of other causes, including:

• The Cigar Family Charitable Foundation, founded by the Fuente and Newman families, focuses on improving the lives of families in the Dominican Republic. They have built a school, health clinic, community kitchen, and other facilities to support the local community.
• The World of Montecristo Relief Organization provides aid to communities affected by hurricanes and has raised over $750,000 through golf tournaments and charity auctions.
• The Plasencia Cigars company founded a daycare and preschool for the children of their employees, allowing parents to work while their children are taught by trained teachers.
• General Cigar's Literacy Initiative provides instructors and holds classes to teach reading and writing skills to employees in their factories. They also offer professional development courses and funds for college or advanced technical training.
• The Rocky Patel Foundation aims to build a school in Honduras to provide education and a safe haven for homeless children in the area.
• Paws for Patriots, started by Bobby Newman of JC Newman Family Cigars, supplies guide dogs, veteran service dogs, and therapy dogs to the US military and military hospitals.
• Saints & Sinners, started by Pete Johnson of Tatuaje Cigars, provides exclusive products to members and donates proceeds to support children living near La Estrella farm in Nicaragua.
• Daniel Marshall Humidors donates humidors to charity auctions and sales to support organizations like Best Buddies, which helps inner-city kids stay out of trouble.

These are just a few examples of the many cigar charities that exist. They showcase the positive impact that the cigar community can have on the world, whether it's providing comfort to soldiers or improving the lives of those in need.

Cigar etiquette

The Dos of Cigar Smoking

• Bring a cigar cutter and a lighter. Cut your cigar with a cigar cutter, not with a Swiss army knife or sharp object.
• Light your cigar evenly. Hold the cigar about half an inch away from your lighter and slowly rotate it.
• Keep an eye on the end of your cigar and gently tap off the ash into an ashtray.
• Bring enough cigars to share with your friends.

The Don'ts of Cigar Smoking

• Don't dip your cigar in a drink. This will get ash in your drink and won't improve the flavour.
• Don't stub out the cigar. Let it burn out naturally in the ashtray.
• Don't lick your cigar.
• Don't cut your cigar in half.
• Don't put a half-smoked cigar in your humidor.
• Don't grind your cigar out in the ashtray.

Additional Tips

• Warm the foot of the cigar slightly before you start puffing on it.
• Take your time smoking a cigar.
• Hold the cigar between your index finger and thumb.
• Allow the cigar to die a dignified death.
• Dispose of dead cigars discreetly and quickly.
• Don't use a cigar cutter to cut or pierce the end of the cigar.
• Don't touch the flame directly to the foot of the cigar.
• Lighting a cigar should be a personal experience.
• Don't relight your cigar if less than a quarter of the leaf is left.
• Don't put the cigar in your mouth to relight it.
• Don't clench your cigar between your teeth.
• Don't smoke while walking in public.
• Don't bring outside cigars into a cigar shop.
• Don't stick the cigar up your nose when choosing one at a shop.
• Don't stub out a cigar when you are finished.
• Don't smoke inside an enclosed humidor.
• Don't light another man's cigar.
• Don't wet the end of your cigar unless it is burning unevenly.
• Don't use a cigar holder.
• Don't stick a toothpick or matchstick in the end of the cigar.
• Don't smoke too quickly.

Additional Rules of Cigar Etiquette

• Don't be a "conversation snatcher". Don't disrupt a conversation by changing the topic.
• Don't tell people how to smoke. Cigar smoking is a matter of taste.
• Know your audience. Don't regale the crowd with lurid details of your sexual conquests.
• Take phone calls away from the lounge.
• Buy from the shop where you're smoking.
• Let the staff members do their jobs.
• Be aware of the line behind you.
• Don't become the shop's unofficial consultant.
• Have fun!

Frequently asked questions