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The Wind in Bible versus Quran (2)

This is the second article of the series:” The Wind in Bible versus Quran”.

The Bible says that the Almighty Creator 1) made the Winds His Angels, 2) His servants are flames of fire, 3) He has chariot, 4) He walks on the wings of wind and 5) He made the earth never moves etc.  The Noble Quran says that Naught is as Allah’s likeness in attributes.  Any form, picture, thoughts that you put the Almighty Creator in it is absolutely mistaken.

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The Wind in the Bible (2)

In Psalm 104:1-8, Kind David says:

“Bless Jehovah, O my soul. O Jehovah my God, thou art very great; You are clothed with honor and majesty:  Who covers himself with light as with a garment; Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain; Who lays the beams of his chambers in the waters; Who makes the clouds his chariot; Who walks upon the wings of the wind; Who makes winds his Angels; Flames of fire his servants; Who set the foundations of the earth, that it should not be moved for ever. You cover it with the deep as with vesture; the waters stood above the mountains.  At thy rebuke they fled; At the voice of your thunder they hasted away.  They flowed over the mountains; they went down into the valleys, to the place you assigned for them.”

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Herein, there are some important points:

1) The Bible describes the lord God, the Almighty Creator as:

• He has clothes
• He covers himself with light as with a garment
• He stretches out the heavens like a curtain
• He lays the beams of his chambers in the waters
• His chariot is made of clouds
• He walks upon the wings of the wind
• He makes winds his Angels
• His servants are flames of fires
• He set the foundations of the earth
• His voice is the thunder

2) The Bible says that the earth has foundations and it should not be moved for ever.

3) The speed of the Lord God was that of the wind.

4) The wind has wings!

Moreover, there are some discrepancies in the translation of some words in the many versions of the Bible e.g.:

• In some Bible’s versions, the word “Angel” is translated to “messenger”.
• In some Bible’s versions, the word “wind” is translated to “spirit”.
• In some Bible’s versions, the word “curtain” is translated to “tent”.

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On the other hand, all of the above points are ABSOLUTELY rejected in the Noble Quran because:

1) The Noble Quran says that Naught is as Allah’s likeness in attributes.  Any form, picture, thoughts that you put the Almighty Creator in it is absolutely wrong.

2) The Almighty Creator is not a body

3) The thunder is not the voice of the Almighty Creator.

4) When the Almighty Creator decides upon a matter, when He wants to do anything, He only says to it ‘Be!’ and it is.

5) The speed of the Lord God was that of the wind; for instance, does not He know the speed of the light?  However, Naught is as Allah’s likeness in attributes. 

6) The wind has no wings!

7) the Angels are created from the Pure Light.

the Angels are the servants of the Almighty Creator and they never disobey Him.

9) The earth has No foundations and it is rounded and it moves

10) The Great Prophet King David can not say that about the Almighty Creator simply because he knows better who Allah is.

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Aside from the Bible and the Quran, boys in schools know very well that the earth moves and it has two types of movements: the first one is around the sun at about 100,000 km/h.  It takes 365 days (1 year/12 months) for the Earth to complete one revolution around the Sun. and the other around itself. It takes 24 hours for the earth to spin around itself.

These two movements are responsible for the seasonal changes and the day and night respectively.

I really do not believe that the Lord God or King David says that the earth foundations and it should not be moved for ever. .

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Psalm 104:1-8 in three different versions of the Bible:

New International Version

1 Praise the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty.

2 He wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent

3 and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters. He makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind.

4 He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants.

5 He set the earth on its foundations; it can never be moved.

6 You covered it with the deep as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains.

7 But at your rebuke the waters fled, at the sound of your thunder they took to flight;

8 they flowed over the mountains, they went down into the valleys, to the place you assigned for them.

King James Version

1Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.

2Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:

3Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:

4Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire:

5Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever.

6Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains.

7At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away.

8They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the place which thou hast founded for them.

Young’s Literal Translation

1Bless, O my soul, Jehovah! Jehovah, my God, Thou hast been very great, Honour and majesty Thou hast put on.

2Covering himself [with] light as a garment, Stretching out the heavens as a curtain,

3Who is laying the beam of His upper chambers in the waters, Who is making thick clouds His chariot, Who is walking on wings of wind,

4Making His messengers — the winds, His ministers — the flaming fire.

5He hath founded earth on its bases; It is not moved to the age and for ever.

6The abyss! as with clothing Thou hast covered it, Above hills do waters stand.

7From Thy rebuke they flee, From the voice of Thy thunder haste away.

8They go up hills — they go down valleys, Unto a place Thou hast founded for them.

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The Wind in the Noble Quran (2)

In this article, the following three points will be discussed:

1) The Historical destructive wind as a Punishment for the disbelievers of the Ancient nation of Aad

2) What if Allah wants to do anything?

3) The Precious verse (faith-wise) of the Quran that describes the Almighty Creator

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1) The Historical destructive wind as a Punishment for the disbelievers of the Ancient nation of Aad.

Verses 69:4-8 of the Noble Quran describe this destructive wind!

Historical Background:

Aad was an ancient nation.  Aad nation is always mentioned in the Noble Quran as a nation that came after Noah.  Allah sent his Prophet Hud to the people of Aad; some of them believed and many of them disbelieved. Allah punished the disbelievers of Aad by the wind and He saved the believers. The people of Aad were famous by their outstanding might.

It is said that Aad nation lived at the south of Saudi Arabia, nearby Yemen.

The Prophet Hud was Arabic.

The nation of Aad and the Prophet Hud are not mentioned in the Bible.

Thamud was an ancient nation. Thamud nation came after the nation of Aad; it is always mentioned in the Noble Quran as a nation that came after Aad.

Allah sent his Prophet Salih to the people of Thamud; some of them believed and many of them disbelieved. Allah punished the disbelievers of Thamud when they killed the Camel which was the miracle of the Prophet Salih who warned his people not to hurt that Camel and they agreed but they never kept their word.  The miraculous Camel emerged from a big rock and it has no father and no mother; it came out as an intact adult Camel following Allah’s will when He says to anything He wants: Be! And it is.

The people of Aad were famous by the might and transgression.

It is said that Aad nation lived at the northern part of Saudi Arabia, nearby Yemen.

The nation of Thamud is too not mentioned in the Bible may be because the Prophet Salih was Arabic too.

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The meanings of verses 69:4-8

Verses 69:4

The nation of Thamud and the nation of Aad both disbelieved in the Resurrection to come and they denied their Prophets and refuted the Day of Judgment.

Verses 69:5

As for Thamud, they were destroyed by the overwhelming Roar, an excessively severe shout of the Angel Gabriel. They were destroyed because of their transgression and idolatry; and it is said that their transgression drove them to disbelieve until they were destroyed.

Verses 69:6

And as for Aad, they were destroyed by a fierce roaring wind. The wind was deafening, intensely clamorous, violent wind, [that was] powerful and severe [in its assault] upon Aad, despite their power and might.

Verses 69:7

Allah forced and imposed that wind upon them uninterruptedly for seven nights and eight days with the same force so that you might have seen the people therein lying prostrate, lying dead on the ground, as if they were the hollow, collapsed, trunks of palm-trees.

Verses 69:8

So do you O Muhammad see any remnant of them? Do you see one remaining?’ No!

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Verses 69:4-8 of the Noble Quran in four different translations:

Verses 69:4

QARIB: Thamood and Aad belied the clatterer.

SHAKIR: Samood and ad called the striking calamity a lie

PICKTHAL: (the tribes of) Thamud and Aad disbelieved in the judgment to come.

YUSUFALI: the Thamud and the ‘ad people (branded) as false the stunning calamity!

Verses 69:5

QARIB: Thamood, they were destroyed by the violent shout (of Gabriel),

SHAKIR: then as to Samood, they were destroyed by an excessively severe punishment

PICKTHAL: as for Thamud, they were destroyed by the lightning.

YUSUFALI: but the Thamud, – they were destroyed by a terrible storm of thunder and lightning!

Verses 69:6

QARIB: as for Aad, they were destroyed by a howling, violent wind

SHAKIR: and as to ad, they were destroyed by a roaring, violent blast

PICKTHAL: and as for Aad, they were destroyed by a fierce roaring wind,

YUSUFALI: and the ‘ad, they were destroyed by a furious wind, exceedingly violent;

 Verses 69:7

QARIB: that he subjected upon them for seven nights and eight days consecutively and you might have seen them struck down as if they were the stumps of palm trees that had fallen down.

SHAKIR: which he made to prevail against them for seven nights and eight days unremittingly, so that you might have seen the people therein prostrate as if they were the trunks of hollow palms

PICKTHAL: which he imposed on them for seven long nights and eight long days so that thou mightest have seen men lying overthrown, as they were hollow trunks of palm-trees.

YUSUFALI: he made it rage against them seven nights and eight days in succession: so that thou couldst see the (whole) people lying prostrate in its (path), as they had been roots of hollow palm-trees tumbled down!

Verses 69:8

QARIB: can you see any remnant of them now?

SHAKIR: do you then see of them one remaining?

PICKTHAL: canst thou (O Muhammad) see any remnant of them?

YUSUFALI: then seest thou any of them left surviving?

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2) What if Allah wants to do anything?

Verse 36: 82 says:

QARIB: when he wills a thing, his command is to say to it ‘be’, and it is!

SHAKIR: his command, when he intends anything, is only to say to it: be, so it is

PICKTHAL: but his command, when he intendeth a thing, is only that he saith unto it: be! and it is.

YUSUFALI: verily, when he intends a thing, his command is, “be”, and it is!

The meanings of the verse:

His command, His affair, when He wills a thing, that is, [when He will] to create something, or to do anything is just to say to it ‘Be’, and it is.

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3) The Precious verse (faith-wise) of the Quran that describes the Almighty Creator

Verse 42: 11 says

QARIB: the originator of the heavens and the earth, he has given you from yourselves, pairs, and also pairs of cattle, thereby multiplying you. there is nothing like him. he is the hearer, the seer.

SHAKIR: the originator of the heavens and the earth; he made mates for you from among yourselves, and mates of the cattle too, multiplying you thereby; nothing like a likeness of him; and he is the hearing, the seeing

PICKTHAL: the creator of the heavens and the earth. he hath made for you pairs of yourselves, and of the cattle also pairs, whereby he multiplieth you. naught is as his likeness; and he is the hearer, the seer.

YUSUFALI: (he is) the creator of the heavens and the earth: he has made for you pairs from among yourselves, and pairs among cattle: by this means does he multiply you: there is nothing whatever like unto him, and he is the one that hears and sees (all things).

The meanings of the verse:

He (Allah) is the Originator of the heavens and the earth, the One Who created them [without precedent]. He has made for you, from your own selves, pairs, when He created Eve from Adam’s rib, and [also] pairs, males and females, of the cattle and whereby He multiplies you through marriage. There is nothing like Him; there is no likeness of Him, exalted be He). He is the Hearer, of what you say, the Seer, of your works.  Naught is as His likeness in attributes, knowledge, power and providence etc.

The basic point of faith is that Naught is as your Almighty creator.

Since man is a creature which has Spirit that gives him like; and since Naught is as the likeness of your Creator, then the Almighty Creator has NO SPIRIT.

Hence, the Almighty Creator is not a body or material like us.  Any form, picture or thoughts that you put the Almighty Creator in it is absolutely wrong.

According to the Islamic Rule of Faith, if any one put the Almighty Creator in any form, picture or thoughts, he or she is Disbeliever and has No faith; and he will end up in the Hereafter as a dweller of the Eternal Fire.

This is in spite of what name(s) you are giving to your Almighty Creator e.g. Allah, Lord, God, Jehovah etc.

On the other hand, the vice versa is absolutely True!

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Back to my question to the smart and interested reader:

Is the Quran quoted from the Bible?

Professor Dr. Ibrahim Khalil
? Prof. of Clinical and Chemical Pathology,
? Head of Clinical Microbiology and Infection Control Unit, Ain-Shams University. Cairo, Egypt,
? President of the Egyptian Society of Inventors,
? Member of the Egyptian union of Writers,
? Published some 60 Medical Articles,
? Supervisors for 79 PhD theses,
? Supervisors for 111 Master Degree theses,
? Co-Chief Editor of the Egyptian Journal of Lab. Medicine,
? Honorary President of SPIC-Egypt (The Society for Practitioners of Infection Control – Egypt)

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/men’s-issues-articles/in-quran-not-in-bible-the-ancient-nation-of-thamud-1295555.html

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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 buy 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  women’s golf clubs 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: Women’s Golf Clubs

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/golf-articles/well-designed-womens-golf-clubs-1303216.html

You may think that lighting a Cuban cigar could be as easy as it sounds, but you would be thinking wrong. It is true that anybody can light a Cuban cigar, but to light it in a way that preserves its flavor is a tricky business and may require knowing a thing or two about the process. Smokers who enjoy every Cuban cigar that they smoke should follow these tips to better enjoy their experience.

Before you light your Cuban cigar, you should heat its “foot” or end for sometime. As you keep heating it slowly on a fire, you will see that a black ring is forming on the foot. You must make sure that the Cuban cigar does not contact the fire at any point of time; the fire should just be close enough to warm the Cuban cigar until the black ring formation on the end is complete.

Wooden matches should be used to light a Cuban cigar and cedar matches are ideal for lighting the Cuban cigar as they do not meddle with the aroma when you use them. Although cedar matches would be perfect, you can also use a lighter if you must, to light your smoke. If you must use a lighter, make sure that it is butane lighter at least, because butane lighters do not leave any strong smell when you light your Cuban cigar with it. This makes sure that you do not lose out on the unadulterated flavor of the Cuban cigar.

Now that you have prepared your Cuban cigar well enough to be lit, you must actually light it and this is a tricky business as well. The Cuban cigar must be in your mouth as you light the wooden match or the butane lighter, but it should not touch the actual fire at any time. When the Cuban cigar is at an inch or less from the fire, start to draw in calmly. With you drawing in from so close to the flame, the Cuban cigar should light up soon, but now you must rotate it. The rotation is necessary to make sure that the Cuban cigar catches the fire equally through out.

Although you will rotate the Cuban cigar to make sure the burn is even, there is a chance that the burn may not still be even. After you have lit your Cuban cigar, take a look at it to ensure this. If you find the Cuban cigar to have unlit portions, blow on the lit part of the Cuban cigar a few times to evenly distribute the fire. Take a few puffs from the Cuban cigar now to complete the lighting procedure evenly and adequately.

These instructions are simple to follow and apply, but once applied and followed carefully, you will find your Cuban cigar smoking experience to be quite different from the other days cigar smoking and the difference will be in all likeliness will be a better one if not memorable.

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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 sales to protect them from susceptibility. A decline in sales of premium cigarettes will be ploughed back by the sales 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 sales 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) sales 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 (sales 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 sale.

The use of vending machines is being restricted because these cannot discriminate against sales 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.

Cigar reviews Ashton Cabinet Selection Pyramid Cigar Review cigarobsession.com http Sorry, I goofed on the pics form this one and formatted the wrong card This 6×52 belicoso shaped stick offers a silky soft light tan wrapper with minimal veins, a slight spongy feel and light barnyard aroma. First light gives a small amount of smoke but it’s extremely thick and chewy, leaving a heavy oily feeling. Flavors are a slight grass, cedar, and touch of tobacco. Taking a third clip off the head really freed the draw to a normal level and increased smoke and body to a much better medium. From the 1/2 way point at 45 min in through to the end at 1:15 flavord took on a creamy slightly sweet light coffee flavor, still with a rich thick smoke. The finish slowly increased carrying the creamy coffee with it. Than you very much to Ashton for sending this for review! Photography by BG Pictures.

Cigar reviews Corona Cigar Company Nicaraguan Robusto Maduro Cigar Review cigarobsession.com http This 5×50 stick offers a very dark almost black wrapper, showing a firm but lumpy handrolled appearance with small and medium veins, double cap and rich creamy aroma. First light reveals a very thick rich smoke with flavors of a slightly sweet earth, medium-full body, an oily and mildly peppery finish and a perfect draw. The first third is complex with rich cream, smooth sweet tobacco, pepper on the finish and an oily after taste. The 2nd third transitions to a creamy sweet leather and cinnamon, keeping the rich oil and growing the finish. The last third changes to a smooth deep earth with more of the same great oily creamy richness, dropping the pepper. Thank you very much to Corona Cigar Company for donating this for review! Photography by BG Pictures.

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.

3. Felipe II Fat Boy

Profile: medium-bodied, earthy, spicy coffee bean aromas, roasted butter finish

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.

A few years ago, in 2006, the Nevada legislature imposed a public smoking ban.

The new rule doesn’t apply – as yet – to the storied casinos of Las Vegas, where smoking is still allowed on gaming floors. And of course Nevada is hardly the only recent state to impose restrictions on public smoking. Indeed, it joins over thirty states (at this writing) with such laws on the books. If you are reading this from the United States, it is likely that a similar law applies to your area: half the country’s population is currently under the jurisdiction of a public-smoking regulation of some kind.

But the idea of a smoking ban passing the Nevada legislature seems almost like a kind of spiritual defeat for cigar smokers: after all, what could more epitomize “cigar cool” than the mental image of Frank Sinatra’s Rat Pack, cigars and drinks in hand, finger-popping their ways through the floor of a Vegas casino?

It just symbolizes a fact that’s made passionate smokers’ lives a little more difficult over the past decade: in the interest of public health (and out of consideration for asthmatics and others), more and more city councils and state legislatures are choosing to ban public smoking outright, or are limiting it to certain licensed facilities.

Arguments about the effectiveness or appropriateness of these bans to one side, we can all agree that they mean that smokers have to put a little more energy into planning vacations. For a person who loves the taste of a good cigar, for whom relaxation doesn’t become meaningful until there’s a stogie involved, there’s no point in a vacation where you can’t even smoke in your hotel room. With smoking bans underway in Atlantic City (and this ban extends to casinos) and similar one-time bastions of cigar culture, frustrated cigar smokers are turning to a new option: the cruise ship.

And why not? Cruise ship vacations offer the ultimate chance to “get away from it all,” a continuous expanse of blue water, and the opportunity to meet interesting people from all over the country (and world). Few cruises are completely smoke-free, with most offering, at the very least, designated smoking areas that might include cigar bars or lounges. So it’s hard to go completely wrong – wherever you book your passage, you’ll almost always have at least some chance to smoke.

More and more luxury cruise lines don’t allow smoking in living quarters – that’s one downfall. After all, the next person using your room might be a nonsmoker, and it doesn’t make economic sense for cruise ship directors to designate permanent “smoking” and “nonsmoking” rooms; such a move would involve logistical nightmares during booking. But luxury quarters often include balconies, where smoking is sometimes still allowed.

The recent case of a cruise line headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida gives smokers an indication of what they can expect. The cruise line, according to some reports, lost millions in bookings after instituting a partial smoking ban in 2007. But compared to those bans that have caused smokers such dismay in Atlantic City and Ottawa, the Florida-based cruise line’s smoking ban doesn’t even apply to the on-ship bars and casinos.

Indeed, the cruise ship industry seems to be following the opposite track of most US states and municipalities – as they grow more restrictive toward smoking, cruise lines are growing more permissive. One completely smoke-free cruise ship line went out of business awhile ago; another once-smokeless line changed its policies to allow some smoking on the boat.

Smokers will likely want to evaluate cruise line policies prior to booking as there are has examples of ships with almost smoke-free policies. Smoking on such lines may only be permitted in two designated areas – and if you light up anywhere else, you could be kicked off the boat! (That presumably doesn’t mean you’ll be forced to walk the plank, but it’s probably not worth finding out.)

Another rule of thumb mentioned by several travel writers: if you’re looking for company as you smoke, go for a cruise line with a high number of European and Asian clientele. Citizens of many of these countries often still smoke in higher numbers than do contemporary Americans, and there is a Spain-based cruise line that currently sports the least restrictive smoking policy out there.

In the last video I demonstrated how to roll a cigar using the whole leaf. The standard way. When you get into rolling cigars you will accumulate a lot of small scraps. Usually these scraps are tossed. In this video I show how to roll a cigar with those smaller bits of tobacco. Consider this, you will not only be using the tobacco that you would have normally discarded but the blends of fillers that you will be getting will be different with every cigar you roll. A new adventure every time you light one up.