Hello Men, check this out…An Indian Medicine Bag can be a very powerful and awesome good luck charm to have! These beauties sometimes help people to WIN tons of money when they are gambling! Many sports enthusiasts are gamblers, and they believe in having “Good Luck” on their side, and are looking forward to their next great Winning Streak!
Currency traders, day traders of stocks, and many other investors, can also use some good luck and an amulet or good luck charm might be able to help them from time to time! Whether you bet fifty bucks on a football game, or a thousand dollars on a roll of the dice at a casino, you could use some Good Luck, and there’s no better way to attract some of that good fortune, than with a magical, mystical good luck amulet, such as the Indian Medicine Bag that Father Time features on his website at where there are many other cool items as well!
The Indian Medicine Bag may even help you meet the ideal woman for you! An awesome gal who has many of the attributes that you are looking for in a woman! You never know until you try, right? Besides, what have you got to lose?
For countless centuries, man has played sports, and has often made bets on the outcomes of the various games! During this same time period, people have used various “Lucky” stones, crystals, dice, coins, bones, feathers, and other items to bring them good luck and to attempt to attract the Goddess of Good Fortune to their side and help them to win!
You don’t have to tell anyone, but they will all be amazed when you begin winning huge amounts of money, whether in the market or at a casino! By the way, these types of good luck amulets, are always described (by law) as being for entertainment purposes only. Though we all know that they can sometimes have an amazing ability to turn your luck around and help you to start winning lots of money! For less than the cost of a few fancy coffee drinks, what have you got to lose?
When you do eventually get on a huge winning streak, please donate some of the money to Breast Cancer Research! Thanks!
My name is Father Time, and I have an awesome website where I feature many cool items, such as Hidden Camera Spy Pens with Built-in DVR, which you could really have loads of fun with! Then there are the magical Good Luck Charms!
Good Luck With All Of Your Investments, Games, Betting, and Finding That Woman of Your Dreams!
Many Blessings!
Father Time has been a published writer for over thirty two years and particularly focuses on motivational and self-help writing and speaking! He also has many years of experience and writes & marketing training and materials. His first love is poetry and greeting card verses! He has a fabulous new eBook out that features over 111 Ideas How YOU Can Make Money From Home With Your Very Own Home Based Business!
Father Time currently does a lot of writing for hire, especially article marketing pieces for folks who have their own websites to promote. IF you have a website, you should contact him for some good writing to promote your site; right away! You will be glad that you did!
Father Time deals in wholesale merchandise of a wide variety, and is especially fond of helping people who need to earn extra cash, by allowing them to a small quantity of wholesale items for the purposes of reselling them for a cash profit.
Father Time has a great website at If YOU, as a reader of this website, are simply purchasing merchandise at retail, YOU can save an additional 15% off of the normal merchandise. (Sorry, discount does not apply to writing, readings by e-mail, eBooks, or on bulk packages) The coupon code is: SaveNow
Back in the 1980’s there was no one in the world that influenced the budding Generation ‘X’ like that of Michael Jackson. Yes, there was President Ronald Regan, Bo Jackson, MTV, Boy George, Madonna and those funky heavy metal hair bands. But no one topped the power of Michael Jackson.
He was not just a star; he was phenomenon. He commanded your attention, weather you were a music fan or not. Where he went, legions of fans followed, screaming for a glimpse. The world had not seen that since the Beatles and Elvis.
Now deceased, Michael Jackson is more powerful than ever before. This story has made frontline news in all the world’s paper for 3 days straight now. No other news is seemingly is so captivating; not Jon and Kate, not US economic woes, not even the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Michaels’ death has suddenly revived his career. Yes, revived. In all likelihood, he may generate more money then he ever did alive. Already record stores, iTunes, and Amazon have experience enormous demands. Elvis, John Lennon, Jim Morrison all experienced the same.
Michael’s legacy will most likely focus on the days he produced Off the Wall and Thriller. Those two albums alone produced more hits then most musicians have in their entire careers. His music videos ‘Beat It’, ‘Billie Jean’, and ‘Thriller’ transformed music videos from a mere promotional tool to an art. It helped ignite MTV. His career in a nutshell: 2 time inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (as a solo artist and member of the Jackson 5), 13 Grammy Awards, 13 Number one singles, over 750 million albums sold worldwide, and billions of dollars generated.
The Lost Childhood As the world learned, however, was that Michael Jackson had a dark side that involved child abuse, neglect, and accusations of child molestation. You find can an entire populace of people with similar history in prison.
It wasn’t enough that Michael suffered a lost childhood. He was never allowed to be own person. His spirit was never free. Instead, his life became a tool for others to make profit of his enormous talent. His father, Joe Jackson, was not a successful man on his own by any means. He was a steel worker during the day, hardly carrying enough change in his pockets for lunch.
To his credit, however, Joe Jackson was a driven man. He played in a band and was a talented guitarist. Perhaps he had dreams playing for record label, but fell victim to the circumstances in his day: poverty, racism, and missed opportunities.
To some, growing old and not fulfilling your lifelong dream is intolerable. Joe Jackson may not have wanted any of that. So, his kids became the pawns for his success. According the Michael and his sister LaToya, Joe Jackson was a tyrant with an iron fist. He ran the household with fear, intimidation, and complete lack of concern about his children’s feelings.
In addition, Michael had to endure the challenge of being in a one-income household with ten kids. Normally with large families siblings would play and fight with each other. In the Jackson household, it seemed that band practice took precedence to growing up and living a normal childhood.
Despite the hardship, Michael was born to be an entertainer. For years the Jackson 5 played in local venues and won numerous competitions. It was not till Michael joined the band did MoTown Records take notice.
The Baton is Passed Smokey Robinson said, “Michael had the talent of someone years his age.” Which Michael at the realm, the Jackson 5 attracted television and record deals. Like many child stars, however, Michael was forced into world that God never meant for children. Michael never experienced a childhood. He was busy making money for his family and for the record labels. He was a moneymaker. Despite the claims from those who say they loved him and showed genuine concern, he was a music moneymaking machine. The self-worth was solely based on that. If he stopped producing, they stopped caring.
In 1979, the record ‘Off the Wall’ was a solo act without Michael’s tyrant father or his brothers. Quincy Jones was the man behind the project. Together, Jones and the 20 year old Jackson produced the first ever album to generate US top 10 hits including blockbuster songs like “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” and “Rock with You”.
The man was only 20!
At 20 years old most people are in college, partying, studying for college exams, or thinking of their careers. Michael remained what he was since he was 10, a money making machine. Not a man with feelings, not a man with a spirit, and a human being. He was money making machine, the darling of the media, a man with billions of dollars, yet no life.
At 24, Thriller was released. It’s the greatest album I have ever purchased. For Michael, the arrow had reached its peak and is now failing.
Energy Released – His deal with Children It’s little wonder why Michael had that special relationship with children. He wanted to be around them, especially young male boys. Why? Because he was never allowed to experience having a ‘best friend’, or play outside with friends after school, like normal kids do.
It’s just human nature to make up for lost experience. It not unusual for teenage moms, as soon as their children are grown, to dress up in sexy garbs, hang out at bars, and date younger men.
Michael’s inner demons were not demons. They were yearnings. Yearnings to have the God given right to a normal childhood.
Did he molest young boys? I’m not sure, but then I wonder why an innocent man would pay the family of one of his so-called victims $20 million to keep their mouth shut. I don’t know the details, nor will I speculate.
His Career Revived in Death In years to come there will be speculations if Michael did actually die? The same theories floated around about Elvis and Jim Morrison. Elvis and Jim Morrison made more money in death then they did alive.
Will that happen to Michael? Most likely yes.
The greatest gifts Michael left us his music. He is the ‘King of Pop’ and the greatest entertainer since Elvis and the Beatles. More important, for those who wish to live their successful through their children, look at Michael’s life and where it went.
He became a lost soul with billions of dollars. As it was mentioned in the Bible,
What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? – Matthew 16:26
Rest in Peace Michael and thanks for the music and the lessons learned.
Jim Hague is an author, lecturer, owner of Crystal Digital Images LLC, has no party affiliation and is a moderate. He is the author of ‘Abandoned Son: Roe vs. Wade is overturned.’
Almost all webmasters or website owners are looking for ways to get better results from their websites. They wish to improve their site’s standing and get better rankings in search engines. This quest for improved results, known as search engine positioning, can be satisfied by following a few basic procedures.
Before you even begin, you have to realize that you are competing against hundreds, and in some categories, thousands of websites offering similar products and services. In the case of affiliate marketing, many of the competing websites may even be identical! If you want to get the edge over these competitors and improve your search engine positioning you have to fine-tune your website and actively work to make it better.
1. Make Sure that your design is search engine friendly:
Your design may look good to your eyes, but it may also be the cause of you present difficulties and poor search engine positioning. How is that possible? Look at your web page using a text editor or the html view of popular editors such as Dreamweaver and Frontpage. On what line does your first line of copy begin? If your actual copy is pushed far down the page, it is more difficult for search engines to pick up the crucial information that would have helped you to improve your web page ranking.
If you have this difficulty, first take out all unnecessary spaces in the html code. If there are long strings of javascript, put these in external files. Similarly, put style information in external Cascading Style Sheet files. Simplifying your table structure may also help. If this starts getting too complicated for you, then consult with a professional search engine positioning specialist or your web designer.
2. Make sure your keywords are strategically placed in your copy:
It is not possible to improve web page ranking if the readable copy on your web page does not contain the words you wish to be found by. Many people erroneously think that just putting your important keywords in meta tags is enough. This is not true, some search engines hardly use the meta tags and look more to the copy on the page. Make sure that your important copy is in the first paragraph of text, in headlines (using headers such as H1, H2, H3) and in the active or clickable portions of link text on your page.
3. Use a site map and text link navigation on your pages:
If you want to improve your search engine positioning for all the pages of your website then you have to be sure that these pages actually get indexed or included in the search engines. You can help this process along by making a site map, a web page that has text links to all the sub pages of your site. Another good practice is to include a text link navigation system on your web pages, even if you already have a graphics based navigation bar elsewhere on these same pages. Remember, search engines follow text links more easily. A robot that lands on your main page or site map page will follow the text links and then visit and index your lower level pages.
4. Increase the quantity and quality of inbound links:
In fiercely competitive categories it will be difficult to improve web page ranking without obtaining a good number of links to your page from other websites. If you have very good and valuable copy, other sites may link to you because you are a valuable resource. However, if you want to speed this process along you will have to actively request links from other websites, either by trading links or by getting your content (with a link back to your site) placed on other websites.
When it comes to links you should keep in mind one important principle: it is not the quantity of links that is important, but the quality. One good link from an authority site such as CNN or Wikipedia is worth more than dozens of links from other sites. To get these quality links, there is no short cut. You will have to earn it by having a site that provides a lot of useful information.
5. Keep up with Search Engine Developments:
The challenge of improving your web page ranking and search engine positioning is dynamic. Search engines are not static. Most of the big search engines of yesterday have disappeared or are only minor players today. You should keep up with changes in the world of search engines by taking part in online forums or subscribing to newsletters which deal with topics such as search engine optimization, web ranking, and general webmaster related issues.
For years I have been getting great information from the Led Digest, a subscription list which is sent out several times a week. You can see samples online at www.led-digest.com
If you do not have the expertise or the time to tackle these matters by yourself then you should take advantage of skilled professionals who can help you to improve your site’s performance in search engines. Whether you rely on professionals or are able to do it yourself, these five tips can provide a good point of reference for starting the work.
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There are many golfers who when they play badly, blames every aspect of the game right from their swing, balance, posture and tempo. These players misses one vital aspect of the game while they are busy blaming. Even though they might have spent hours in practice sessions, they can never master the game of golf if they are using equipments that are not suited to their style of play. This is one point that every golfer should keep in mind, if you are using unsuitable equipment you will never know that you are playing the bad game due to it.
It is therefore most essential that you know the following tips so that you may ensure that you purchase the right golf equipments at the onset
Beginners and juniors who are starting to play this game usually play with a set of pre-owned clubs. Before playing they should check the golf clubs. They should check every aspect of the clubs such as the shaft, club heads, and grips before checking the other parts of the club. They should know that grips can be quite easily changed. But what is important is that they should check the price and then if there is any damage to the shaft or the club head. If there is any damage they should not the clubs. They should also consider buying new golf sets as sometimes the pre-owned sets may not be so much cheap considering the fact that they must replace the grip and rectify other faults before playing with them.
However if you have considered to a set of pre-owned clubs or have a set of golf clubs which require re-gripping then you need to be careful. You should remember that the grip on the golf club is the only contact that you have with the club; therefore you need to be sure that they are gripped correctly. You can purchase sets whereby you can grip the kit yourself; you need to ensure that you align the grip correctly. If you are not comfortable with performing this yourself then your local golf store should be able to accommodate you. When choosing a grip ensure that your hand size is taken into consideration, having big grips with small hand or having small grips with big hands can be disastrous to your game. Always, always clean and change your grips regularly.
All golf players should avoid using golf clubs that are not well fitted and this may lead to wayward shots. All the players are different in many aspects. You should remember that golf clubs are manufactured and designed for average person of average size and features. Every golfer is different in a number of different aspects and golf clubs are manufactured and designed for the average person of average size and stature. So before making any purchase you should get your golf clubs checked, measurements are taken and the fitter should watch you take a few swings, normally with tape attached to the clubs and a swing plate on the floor. At impact the tape is marked by the club hitting the floor and the fitter is able to determine what lie angle is optimal for you. The shaft will also be checked to ensure that it is the correct length for you. Having a set of custom fit golf clubs is like having a brand new set of golf clubs and is probably one of the best investments you can make in this game, at the end of the process you will have a set of golf clubs which have been professionally modified for your individual requirements.
Another important point to watch out before buying is that the golf clubs match your skill as a golfer even though there may be wedges in it. There are varieties of golf clubs with different models. Some of these clubs are designed for low handicappers, some are designed for middle/high handicappers and some are designed for all skill levels. If you are a high handicapper then playing with a set of clubs which are designed for low handicapper will not help you in your game.
Sanjay Kumar writes content about Golf Balls, Golf Equipment and Women’s Golf Clubs .for more information visit at:
Today golf has become a popular sport in most parts of the world. Many women have taken up playing golf both as professional golfers and amateur golfers. Some women play golf just as a pastime. The entry of women golfers is not very old. Previously, golf was the exclusive domain of men and as a result of this all the golf equipment including golf clubs were manufactured keeping in view that the game is being played by men. However with the entry of women golfers, golf equipments are now being made for women also.
Generally women need lighter and more flexible clubs than men. This is because women need clubs that suit their physique. Here are some key points while making a decision in buying a women’s golf club
*The club should be light in overall weight (with a feel of head weight)
*Correct Flexible shaft based on the swing speed
*Well designed and attractive
One of the most important points to be noted while buying a golf club is that it should have a proper fitting. Golf clubs chosen without fitting may not be suitable as there are many variables and different types of clubs. The fitting should be done by a professional fitter who will understand the customer’s requirement.
Ladies buying golf clubs should decide whether to a club with steel or graphite shaft. Generally steel shafts are great for those who have a powerful swing and a low handicap. Graphite is lighter and gives your swing an easier feel. It has been found out that most amateur women don’t swing the club fast enough to generate the club head speed needed to warrant steel shafts. Therefore beginners should start graphite shafts rather than steel. Though graphite shafts are more expensive, they are much easier for the beginner, high handicapper or women that prefer the lightness of graphite.
There are some ladies who choose the more expensive but low weight yet hard titanium. Stainless steel is cheaper, but it is also heavier. An alternative is an alloy head which is made from a combination. There are many combinations using different metals.
Those ladies who are starters should remember that though golf players are allowed 14 clubs to be taken in the bag beginners may take fewer clubs as making a decision while playing would be easier and faster when they are on the course. Beginners may start with a 5, 7, 9 iron, and sand wedge plus a 3, 7 wood and putter. Seven clubs is more than enough for beginners.
If you are a complete beginner or a low handicapper, buying golf clubs should be done wisely. Get the clubs that will work for you, whether it is a few or a complete set. When you start out with the right “tools” you can pour your foundation and build a strong game that will make you happy and contended.
Ladies who are lefty’s and are having a hard time finding the perfect set of clubs should check out the World Wide Web. The internet offers the choice of a large number of online golf websites selling golf equipment. These websites will have a great selection of left handed clubs for women.
Women golfers may find all the accessories in the sports stores or golf stores. In some cases there may even be separate or special counters selling in these stores. Before buying women’s golf clubs it is important that you should be well informed about the different types of clubs so that you can take the right decision while choosing the best club for yourself.
Sanjay Kumar writes content about Golf Balls , Golf Equipment and Women’s Golf Clubs .for more information visit at:
Many people had cigar humidors as Christmas gifts recently. Congratulations! Humidors make enthusiastic holiday gifts for the cigar aficionado as they are substantive in upholding and senescing premium cigars.
However, many recipients report having problems in setting up their fresh humidor to conserve a continual level of humidity at the apropos levels, reports Stephen Malan, owner of Humidor Vault, LLC, an online retailer of cigar humidors and cigar accessories.
“We have emails all the time from customers having set-up problems with their fresh humidors” says Malan. “However, the steps necessitated to repair these problems are very uncomplicated.”
Setting Up New Cigar Humidors:
According to Malan, the biggest error most people make is when they get their fresh humidor, they set their cigars in the humidor, fill up the humidifier device with water and instal the hygrometer and humidifier.
“People don’t recognise that the moderate cigar, when it leaves the cigar manufacturer’s plant, contains approximately 14 percent moisture content. When people shed fresh cigars into fresh humidors, the humidors will suck in up any moisture in the cigars, unless they have been properly born down,” says Malan.
That’s because the Spanish cedar running along happened in most acceptable cigar humidors has been kiln-dried to rid the wood of any naturally happening oils or sap that could pass on baneful flavors to cigars. The adust wood is a magnet for moisture in cigars unless the humidor has been properly born down. To charge the humidor, fill up the humidification devices with a propylene glycol (PG) solution or sublimated water, never use tap water, and place it in the hollow humidor. Place a fine-tuned analog hygrometer or digital hygrometer inside the humidor, close the lid and hold off! When the humidity level reaches 65-70%, place the cigars in the newly charged humidor. Depending on the size of the humidor, this may take up to seven days.
“I always urge a seven-day holding off period just to be bound. You don’t desire to risk bankrupting a $ 150 box of cigars over this,” Malan says. The humidor will not suck in the moisture out of the cigars as it now has reached the best humidity level for cigars and it will keep the cigars in best shape for a widened period of time, reports Malan.
Recipients may also desire to place their fresh humidors in a place that is not impacted too much by outside temperature fluctuations. The abstract temperature for hiving away cigars in humidors is 70 degrees. If the home or office is subject to ample swings in temperature, then consider upgrading the humidor to one that has out walls that are about 7/8” dense rather than the stock ½” dense sidewalls happened in most humidors.
“The thicker the side walls, the less your cigars will be impacted by outside temperature swings,” says Malan. These obviously cost more but do a much better job in assisting your premium cigars
Patience goes an abundant way with fresh cigar humidor. Don’t rush the process and bask those cigars!
Humidor Vault LLC, is a leading online retailer of Cigar Humidors, Cigar Accessories and Las Vegas Style Poker Chip Sets.
For more information, press only:
Stephen Malan, (702)-642-2571
For more information on Cigar Humidors and Cigar Accessories:
Since its release in 1999, the Ashton VSG has been the most successful blend of Ashton cigars to date. This is a very full-bodied cigar known for having a smooth and deep draw and a rich, complex, intoxicating flavor.
The term VSG stands for Virgin Sun Grown in reference to the fact that all tobaccos used in these cigars are sun-grown by nature. This powerful line is the personal handiwork of Carlos Fuentes Jr. himself, who worked in partnership with Ashton for a total of two years.
Four to five year-old Dominican tobacco is hand-picked from the most fertile plants. The unique flavor of the Ashton VSG comes from a wrapper that is grown on a private estate in Ecuador owned by the Oliva family where it is grown for the Fuente Family exclusively for Ashton. The wrapper matures slowly by sunlight filtered through the region’s natural cloud covering.
This is a powerful cigar with an intoxicating flavor with a complex rich finish. It is blended by Carlos Fuente Jr. using 4 to 5 year old Dominican tobacco hand-picked from the most fertile plants. The unique flavor of the VSG comes from a wrapper that is grown on a private estate in Ecuador owned by the Oliva family where it is grown for the Fuente Family exclusively for Ashton. The wrapper matures slowly by sunlight filtered through the region’s natural cloud covering.
This complex blend of flavor and color are derived from a couple of things. The first is the Dominican filler and binder that make up the heart of each of these fine cigars.
Carlos Fuente Jr. himself blends this line, using 4-5 year old Dominican tobacco that is hand-picked from his very best plants. A more complex layering of flavor derives from the superb Ecuadorian wrapper. The Ecuadorian wrapper is matured very slowly in filtered sunlight that trickles down through the natural cloud covering hovering over the Oliva familys private estate where it is grown.
The Ashton VSG is considered a full body smoke. Generally, it is most appreciated by veteran cigar aficionados who appreciate complexity in flavor and aroma. It is also a good cigar for bold new smokers who want to try something more powerful simply for the sake of appreciating the virtues of strength. Those who do so find that it has a creamy flavor as well that makes the draw as pleasant as it is powerful.
In fact, many cigar reviews have described this cigar as having an elegant, intoxicating flavor. Just after lighting, it has floral notes and flavors that remind you of plum. It also tastes distinctively of natural tobacco. Hints of spice, clove, and cinnamon are also present.
The Ashton VSG becomes moister toward the middle. Many report a leathery component and cedar sweetness. Toward the end of the smoke, a note of raw peanuts can be tasted. It is also well-loved because it has a slow, even burn thanks to an even and firm construction.
The Ashton VSG is distinctively square in shape that it has become a known form. You can also these cigars in a round shape if that is your preference. The most popular size is the 55 ring-size Torpedo. Ashton also makes this blend in ring sizes of 44, 46, and 52.
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Smoking has become the affliction of a large magnitude of people and others seem to be joining the smoke bandwagon at an alarming rate. Smoking has become a very common sight with one out of every fifth person being a smoker. The trend of smoking has become very common among teenagers also. The problems one gets due to smoking are many, but they do not seem to encourage people to stop smoking or deter people for starting to smoke. The hazardous effects of smoking are many, but people do not seem to be paying heed; the tobacco companies seem to be the only one is reaping the rewards out of smoking.
Since tobacco was born, it has been a few companies dominate the tobacco industry. These companies control most of the production and distribution around the world. They are quick to adapt to their policies and tactics to conform to the regulations set by the government and cater to the needs of the ever-increasing number of smokers around the world.
Tobacco companies of the world
A few companies hold the tobacco production and control of tobacco; the three largest companies sell close to two thirds of the entire supply. The stagnation in demand has prompted them to explore new markets.
The government is in a predicament since the tobacco industry accounts for a vast amount of jobs, but it also has to protect the health of its citizens. The government has tried to cut down on smokers by increasing the taxes imposed on them. By increasing the taxes on tobacco products and leveling higher duties on the companies, the companies are forced to raise the prices, which indirectly reduce use; since higher priced goods will be used less often. There is not much the government can do since tobacco is not a banned product.
The large companies also diversify their business to keep abreast in the market. They use various ways the companies diversify.
By market segments: Products are usually divided into categories, from high priced premium cigarettes to low and middle class of cigarettes. Companies with big brand names sell premium high priced cigarettes but also expand in to lower class to protect them from susceptibility. A decline in of premium cigarettes will be ploughed back by the in the lower or middle brands of cigarettes.
By target group: Every cigarette has its target group. By creating a new target group, the company can raise its overall market share. Thus the need to branch out into women cigarettes and target young people.
This targeting of women and youngsters has been seen in bad light. The tobacco industry has long targeted young people with its advertising and promotional campaigns. One of the most memorable, “Joe Camel” campaign initiated by the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, helped generate public outrage against tobacco company efforts to reach young audiences and it is no longer used. The reason is obvious, most people start smoking at an early age. Getting a hold on a new segment will increase its share in the market.
Women are also a segment that the industries try to win over. Cigarettes for women are put forward as a symbol of liberation and some even shown in the light of slimming products. Manufacturers produce (long, slim) cigarettes especially for women. Perfumed or scented cigarettes with exotic flavors are targeted at women. Cigarettes usually have the word “slim” or “lights” to attract women consumers. Minorities are also a target for the tobacco industry.
Diversification by tobacco products: cigarettes companies also try to branch out into other tobacco products. For example, Imperial tobacco has decided to branch out into the roll your own segment; it dominates both the tobacco and the paper for this segment.
Diversification by non-tobacco products: food seems to be the favorite for companies seeking to diversify. R.J. Reynolds bought Nabisco (which, in turn, was later acquired by Kraft) owned by Philip Morris. Japan Tobacco derives a (small) part of its from food. Logistics and wholesaling are another favorite
Austria Tabak, wholesaling of tobacco and other products (and the operation of vending machines) makes up a large share of turnover. Over 20 per cent of Altadis’ earnings originate in its logistics division. Skandinavisk Tobakskompagni owns the largest wholesaler of consumer goods in Denmark. BAT tried financial services (but, since 1998, is a pure tobacco company).
Diversification into food and other activities makes the tobacco companies less dependent on (slow-growing) of tobacco products. However, the profit margins in these industry are usually well below those attained in tobacco processing. Producing and marketing cigarettes remain the more lucrative activity.
Incase of diversification by geographical market, OECD-based tobacco companies are keen to reduce their dependence on their stagnant home markets and establish a presence in markets where growth is above average. After having started business in many markets in Latin
America, Central and Eastern Europe, and the Central Asian republics in the 1990s, their center of attention is shifting to the Far East. All the major tobacco companies now have a presence in Poland, Russia and the Central Asian republics. Austria Tabak, which gained a presence in
Estonia when it acquired the cigarette activities of Swedish Match also has a 67 per cent market share in Guinea. The company was considering entering Asian markets when it was taken over by Gallaher in June 2001. Through this take-over and the acquisition in 2000 of Liggett-Ducat, the Moscow cigarette maker, Gallaher greatly reduced its dependence on the UK market. Similarly, Japan Tobacco became a world player when it acquired the international activities of R.J. Reynolds. Thanks to a relentless internationalization drive, Germany’s Reemtsma now sells less than one-third of its total in its home market (compared to over 60 per cent in 1991) (see also figure 6). It is now on the go in several Central and Eastern European countries and, in 1999, it acquired Cambodia’s Paradise Tobacco Company.
The government.
A predicament is generally faced by the Governments all across the world. On the one hand, tobacco-growing and processing can makes a large contribution to employment, tax revenue and foreign exchange receipts. In many developing and formerly centrally planned economies, the tobacco companies have made sizeable and most welcome investments when other investors were disinclined to do so. On the other hand, governments have the responsibility to protect the population’s health. Smoking is harmful to health and treating people for smoking-related illnesses is expensive. This can lead to heated debates within the same government as each sector defends the interests it believes it should represent.
The economic importance of tobacco growing and processing differs from country to country. At the national level, cigarette ( and import) tax can be a main source of government revenue. In Russia, cigarette tax revenue contributes around 8 per cent to the financing of the state budget.
When the government owns the industry, it receives profits in addition to tax. That is why, in so many countries, State monopolies continue to control cigarette trade and production. In China, proceeds from state-owned CNTC amounted to the equivalent of US$11,000 million in 1999. CNTC has been the Chinese State’s top revenue generator for years. Japan Tobacco earned more than US$400 million for the Japanese State in the fiscal year ending March 2000. The monopolies can also play a social function. In Italy, several of the state monopoly’s factories are to be found in areas of high unemployment.
Then there are balance of payments issues to mull over, many low-income countries rely on the export of cash crops such as tobacco to pay for the service of their foreign debt.
Tobacco exports made up close to 10 per cent of Cuba’s exports in 1997-98. In the case of
Tanzania it was 15 per cent, In Zimbabwe over 25 per cent and in Malawi tobacco exports made up two-thirds of commodity exports.
Citizens smoke. But, if they smoke domestically produced cigarettes, using homegrown tobacco or use imported cigarettes and tobaccos can make a large difference when foreign exchange is scarce. That explains why so many countries try to restrict the imports of cigarettes and encourage domestic producers to use local tobaccos, for example, by providing a favorable tax treatment to companies that use a minimum percentage of homegrown tobaccos. The cigarette companies have also been a key source of investment in the formerly centrally planned countries of Central and Eastern Europe, and Central Asia. When others were disinclined to invest, those companies saw the possibilities offered by a blend of pent-up consumer demand, outdated production facilities and the association with independence and “western style” living that so appealed to the people in these countries after many years of central planning and little consumer choice. After having lobbied successfully for the reduction of restrictions of Asian markets such as Japan and the Republic of Korea, the large tobacco companies are eagerly waiting for the opening up of the other economies (notably China) that continue to restrict imports from and/or investments by foreign tobacco companies.
Tobacco growing, processing and exports can thus make a significant involvement to national employment and national income. Yet, however important tobacco growing and processing may be at the national level, its full economic and social significance is best grasped at the micro or regional level. In some regions, tobacco is grown side by side with the crop, which is the main source of income; its contribution to overall income is modest. However, in many others, tobacco is a main source of income and employment.
Tobacco growing and tobacco processing may bring substantial economic and social benefits, but the treatment of smoking-related illness is costly. Cigarette smoking causes cancer. It is addictive. The WHO estimates that tobacco products cause around 3 million deaths per year. Cigarette smoking is the major cause of preventable mortality in developed countries. In the mid-1990s, about 25 per cent of all male deaths in developed countries were due to smoking. Among men aged 35-69 years, more than one-third of all deaths were caused by smoking. The costs of treating all these people are clearly enormous (WHO, 1997).
So far, smoking has not had the same impact on mortality among women and among people from developing countries. There is an approximate 30-40 year time lag between the onset of persistent smoking and deaths from smoking. The effects of the greater incidence of smoking between these two groups will thus be felt with a lag, but it seems reasonable to believe that its impact on them will not differ fundamentally from that on developed country males.
It may be argued that smokers willingly take a certain health risk when enjoying their smoke. They like the taste and all the other things that they associate with smoking. Nevertheless, this does not apply to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) or “second-hand smoke”.
Smoke gets in your eyes your clothes. Moreover, it gets in your lungs. Non-smokers cannot escape from smoke in badly ventilated areas. To be exposed to other people’s tobacco smoke can be a nuisance in addition to being a health risk for non-smokers.
Governments and conflicting pressures: How do they get by?
In practice, governments have opted for several strategies (which are often followed simultaneously). A recent strategy consists of seeking compensation for the costs of treating smoking-related illnesses. It has been followed with success in the United States, as we saw in section 3.4. Governments also set rules regarding the maximum content of hazardous substances in cigarettes. Most of all, however, governments try to discourage demand for what is, as the industry does not tire of telling us, essentially a legal product.
This is done in a variety of ways, with some governments applying particular vigor and others taking a more relaxed approach. Overall, however, the trend is clear: governments’ rules on smoking are becoming ever more restrictive. The use of tobacco products is being discouraged in several ways.
Limitation of the space where smoking is allowed.
This is done above all to protect non-smokers from involuntary exposure to tobacco smoke. Smoking is being prohibited in public places (particularly health care and educational facilities) and in mass transport. Legislation requires restaurants to reserve space for non-smokers.
Limitation by age group
It is prohibited to sell tobacco products to people under a certain age.
Limitations on points of .
The use of vending machines is being restricted because these cannot discriminate against to young people.
Health warnings stating that tobacco is harmful to health have become obligatory.
The warnings must be placed on packets and in ads, with the authorities prescribing the text and the minimum space allotted to the warning in the ad or on the pack. Governments sponsor education and public information programs on smoking and health.
Advertising bans. Restrictions concern the location of ads, the media used (no billboards, no ads in the printed media or in cinemas), the images presented (no young people, no cigarette packets), and the time when broadcasting is allowed (not during hours when children watch television).
The manufacturers are unhappy with these restrictions, and in particular with the ban on advertising. In their view, it is not proved that such a ban discourages demand for cigarettes (as its proponents claim). They are concerned about its effect on the value of their prime asset, the brand name.
Worldwide, the tobacco-processing industry employs hundreds of thousands of people. However, due to a combination of slow demand growth, consolidation, and higher productivity, this number is unlikely to increase by much in the near future. Fewer people are needed per unit of production. The industry is becoming less intensive in the use of labor. Tobacco growing, in contrast, gives work to millions of people. It continues to be a highly labour-intensive activity. The scope for productivity increases in tobacco growing would appear to be more limited than those in tobacco processing.
Over a million people are employed in the world tobacco industry
However, of this number a high percentage is employed in just three countries: China, India and Indonesia. The large number employed in China comes as no surprise in view of the large number of cigarettes (one-third of the world total) produced there. Still, the productivity gap with the United States is striking. China produces roughly three times as many cigarettes as the US, but it needs over nine times as many people to produce them. In the other two countries, the scope for productivity improvements would appear to be even higher.
THE SCENARIO TODAY.
The situation concerning smoking are scary, if global trends continue as they are doing today by 2030 more than 8 million people will die each year from tobacco related causes-80% in the developing regions of the World. In India per example where 120 million smoke 1 in 5 men will die for smoking. Smoking is on the decline in developed nations but is on a large-scale rise in developing or underdeveloped nations. The statistics are frightening, every eight seconds someone dies from smoking; about 15 billion cigarettes are sold daily. There are 1.1 billion smokers in the world today, and if things continue as they have, that number is expected to increase to 1.6 billion by the year 2025.
Smoking and use of tobacco products is on a decline in most developed countries. However, it is on a rampant increase in other developing countries.
In the US, there has been a decrease in the number of smokers. This can be attributed to the growing awareness of the damage smoking causes to the health of the individual. There is however a sad side to the story, smoking has increased to a drastic level in other countries and the figures are staggering.
China is home to 300 million smokers who consume upwards of 1.7 trillion cigarettes a year, or 3 million cigarettes a minute. As many as 100 million Chinese men presently under the age of 30 will die from tobacco use. There are approximately 120 million smokers in India today, and it is estimated that in the year 2010 alone, there will be close to one million tobacco-related deaths among men and women age 30 to 69 in India. Worldwide, tobacco use will kill more than 175 million people between now and the year 2030. Current tobacco-related health care costs in the United States total US $81 billion annually. Germany spends an average of US $7 billion, and Australia, US $1 billion each year on health care directly related to tobacco use. Health care costs associated with secondhand smoke total US $5 billion a year in the U.S. It is estimated that as many as 500 million people alive today will be killed by tobacco use. The statistics are chilling.
One reason for the sudden spurt in the numbers in these countries may be due to the arrival of tobacco companies. The lax stand of the governments in these countries makes it a good bet to start business. The anti smoking lobbies in these countries have not been able to combat the increase. Increased awareness has made it hard for tobacco companies to work in many countries and so the tobacco companies have shifted their sights to greener pastures.
These countries have a very small anti smoking lobby and the government restrictions o them are not so tough and the government is dependent on the revenues it earns from them. Setting up business in these countries has resulted in increased used of tobacco products.
The anti smoking lobby has been very effective in curtailing the spread and increase of smoking around the world.
Advertising related to tobacco has is banned in most countries. Warnings of the harmful effects of the product have to be printed on the packet. This statutory warning is mandatory in most countries. The WHO in its Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which came into effect on 27 February 2005 has specified that all 168 countries should ban advertisements unless their constitutions forbade them to do so.
Today, we are aware of the hazards of smoking. Even though the people are aware of the harmful effects of smoking they rarely seem to pay heed. Everyone knows that smoking causes cancer, heart diseases and can shorten the life span of an individual. It is a highly addictive habit and smokers are at a risk of losing ten years of their life.
With so many smokers around the world, tobacco companies are the only ones gaining form the increase.
Smoking Joey-Heavy Smoker –
If you are smoking-try to quit- but in the meantime-smoke for less.
Put This in Your Pipe and Smoke It – Top 5 Nicaraguan Cigars
Arnold Schwarzenegger. Tom Cruise. Mel Gibson. Harrison Ford. Sylvester Stallone.
What in the world do all of these high-octane megastars have in common? No, they’re not all starring in Mission: Testosterone, this summer’s most muscled blockbuster. But, they do share a unique bond. In fact, they share the same connection with such historically notable folks as Fidel Castro, W.C. Fields, and even King Edward VII.
How could kings, comedians, and revolutionary leaders have anything in common with the Terminator, Rambo, and Braveheart?
It’s simple: They all love a good cigar! No, actually, they all love a great cigar!
And, when it comes to great cigars, arguably there are none better today than those coming from rich soils and humid mountain hillsides of Nicaragua. Long having taken a backseat to the Cuban cigar-making dynasty, Nicaragua is making its mark on the international scene with the finest cigars found anywhere on the planet.
Just like its booming real estate market that has rebounded after natural disasters and political unrest to become one of the best places in the world to invest, the Nicaraguan cigar industry is benefiting and experiencing a renaissance as well. From the center of it cigar revolution in Esteli to Condega and all the way out to the Jalapa Valley, Nicaragua is home to the world’s best cigar makers, tobacco, and established and up-and-coming brands.
With so many great cigars to choose from, the problem for the cigar aficionado and the newbie alike becomes not “How can I find a good Nicaraguan cigar,” but where should I even start? To help you make your way through the jungle landscape of choice, let’s take a look at five all-time favorites.
5. Plasencia Organica Nesticos
Profile: small cigar, mild, but rich taste
Big things come in little packages! The world’s first 100% Certified Organic cigar, the Plasencia Organica Nesticos are pure handmade tobacco magic. These little cigars take advantage of Plansencia’s renowned three-year-aged, organically-grown Nicaraguan tobaccos and serve it up in a smoke-able size that allows you to enjoy big cigar flavor even when you don’t have a lot of time.
4. Joya de Nicaragua Antano 1970, Robusto Grande.
Profile: strong, robust, earthy, woody, big, heavy-bodied…you get the idea, this cigar ain’t messing around!
This hefty all-Nicaraguan tobacco cigar was crafted to appeal to an American clientele who could no longer puff their favorite Havanas after the Cuban revolution. Let’s just call it like it is: The Robusto Grande is a big daddy of a cigar – both in size and flavor. There’s no getting around the fact that it packs a seriously rich blow with that characteristic Nicaraguan metallic twang. If you like your cigars to knock you out with a power-packed punch, this is your choice.
Rated 90 by Cigar Aficionado, this ridiculously rich tasting cigar by Felipe Gregorio is definitely round and robust, but has a seamlessly smooth quality that makes it a definite contender. The Fat Boy’s small, but stocky size (3.5 x 55) gives it a definite “Don’t Mess with Me” attitude. When you’re feeling like a fine fatty at a reasonable rate, find yourself a Felipe II and get ready for a taste explosion.
2. Padrón 1964 Anniversary Series
Profile: medium to full-bodied, long finish, perfectly balanced.
If you want to feel like a celebrity, then you’ll want to take a pull on any cigar from the Padrón 1964 Anniversary Series. Made to celebrate their 30th anniversary, this line is crafted from only their best tobaccos and is often quite difficult to find. However, when you do get your hands on one, you’ll experience a masterful cigar from first spark to final ash tap. Despite the price, this is a must-have in your collection.
1. Perdomo Edición de Silvio
Profile: robust, delicate tones, perfection
This exquisite cigar is considered by many to be one of the best in the world bar none. With a secret blend of the finest tobaccos, this is the holy grail of cigars. And, although it is by far the most exclusive (read: expensive) cigar on my list, it’s not to be missed. So, when you start making huge profits with your Nicaraguan real estate investments, you can experience a little decadence with a Perdomo Edicion de Silvio.
As you can quickly see, the Nicaraguan cigar revolution is in full swing – a rich variety of flavors that is unmatched anywhere in the world. With its fascinating history, the Nicaraguan cigar story is one that can’t be missed. When you light up any of the above cigars, you’ll know that you’ve found a new favorite in Nicaragua.
Originally from San Diego, California, Scott Taylor is an extreme adventure-loving world traveler and international real estate expert and investor living and working in Panama City, Panama. With years of experience investing in countries around the globe, Scott has a particular affection for the land, people, and?of course?real estate of Nicaragua.
I am having a baby girl in August. I’d like to a box of cigars to give out to my friends..ya know kind of a tradition. I don’t want to give out crappy cigars, so I’m looking for advice as to what box of cigars to that will have general appeal? Not to promote smoking. But it’s tradition and I love tradition.