Westin Hotels and Resorts is going smoke-free next month and will add $200.00 to the bill of anyone who violates the policy, said Senior Vice President Sue Brush. Smoking indoors and poolside will be banned at all 77 of the chain’s properties in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean beginning January 1. After that date, smokers will have to go to a designated outdoor area, she said.

Eight Westin hotels were previously designated smoke-free, and at least 5 percent of the rooms at the others had been set aside for nonsmokers, Brush said. But market research found that 92 percent of Westin’s guests were requesting nonsmoking rooms, and some of those who couldn’t get them were “quite upset,” she said.

Brush said that customers will be advised about the anti-smoking policy at check-in. If a guest violates the rule — “when we can observe it by smelling it or whatever” — a $200.00 fee will be added to the bill.

Hang on folks, we’re just getting warmed up.

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The December 2005 issue of Cigar Aficionado has another review of the Maria Guerrero Belicoso. This is a cigar that I reviewed here at Cigar Envy last month, rating it a 95.

They still rate the cigar a 90, remarking on its “perfect draw and even burn.” They also mention “light coffee, tea and cream notes,” and “a kick of black pepper and toast on the finish.”

Even better than new rating information that doesn’t add anything to what you already know, there is also a special lower price on the cigar by one of the major retailers. The new price is lower than anything listed in my review. It is also lower than anything I’ve seen this cigar offered for before.

In addition to this special lower price not being listed in my November review — it also isn’t even listed on the retailers website yet.

Jump on this one.

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A special announcement from the Fuente and Newman families:

“We are pleased to announce the eighth annual Cigar Family Celebration in the Dominican Republic from February 21-25, 2006. Our annual gathering of CFC members last came to the Dominican Republic in 2004, and we are excited to return in 2006. This year the headquarters of CFC 2006 will be based at the Gran Flamenco Beach resort in Puerto Plata.

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