In Good Times or Bad, there’s Solace in Smoke The cigar industry steps up in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
E. Edward Hoyt III & Mark Bernardo
Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré, a Louisiana native and commander of the 1st Army, has been overseeing the largest humanitarian effort in the history of the United States following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in late August. Typically he starts his daily cigar-smoking ritual before noon, and in the course of directing relief efforts in the Gulf, has often been seen bounding out of trucks and lighting up a cigar as he takes charge of the situation at hand. While a cynic might scoff at the cigar as a macho prop, those under the intense emotional strain of rescue efforts, relief workers - many themselves victims of the storm - do find comfort in tobacco. And so, even as the massive rescue and relief effort kicked into gear, rescuing survivors and shuttling in critical supplies, America’s leading tobacco trade association - the Retail Tobacco Dealers of America (RTDA) - spearheaded an effort to bring a small token of comfort to the first responders and subsequent waves of relief workers. Coordinating efforts with the LaFourche Parish Sheriff’s Office in New Orleans, they organized a tobacco collection and donation drive for all of the work crews and military personnel who poured into the affected areas to assist with the relief efforts. Cigars, chewing tobacco, snuff, and other tobacco products have been distributed to work, rescue, and relief crews, through the State Sheriffs Association’s participation, at Louisiana’s state relief and coordination staging area about 30 miles from LaFourche Parish. Crews had previously been unable to obtain tobacco products in the devastated area. The donations provide a tremendous relief and temporary “solace” from their rescue and relief efforts. “These workers have left their families to help people they do not even know,” explained the RTDA. “To provide comfort for these relief workers may keep up their spirits to carry out their efforts.”
Anyone interested in sending tobacco donations may direct them to:
E.H., M.B. SMOKE - Fall, 2005 |