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Saturday, February 29, 2020

Final Exam Insurance

UPDATE:  We are extending Final Exam Insurance until July 4, 2020.  We are very pleased with the success and feedback on this program and glad to see it is not being abused or overused by our apprentices.  Above all, we are focused on maintaining the integrity and credibility of our certification programs but we are also very conscious of the financial burden faced by our students.  Final Exam Insurance is helping us maintain our standards while alleviating some of the financial stress created by having to pay for final exams and certifications.  We hope this program helps give you a little peace of mind and relieves a bit of stress from the test taking process.  Best of luck!



Happy New Year 2020, and welcome to one of our most exciting offers ever!  Starting now, and until February 29th, 2020 we are offering Final Exam Insurance to any apprentice taking the final exam - more specifically, anyone who purchases their exam by 2/29/20.  This means if you don't score the requisite 90%, we will allow you (CRT, CCT, CST) to take the test one more time for free!  Please take advantage of this very special opportunity before it disappears...

While we prefer not to divulge our exam failure rate, we can tell you that it is a double digit percentage.  Those who don't pass the first time usually attempt the final exam again and others simply fade away.  We hope this opportunity relieves some of the emotional and financial stress that our students face.  Not everyone is a good test taker, so this should help many of you get over the hump.  Good luck!

CIGARS 101.0: Fundamentals First

Here are a few important things to know about cigars before you begin to learn about cigars...

LEGAL & TAXATION ISSUES
Cigars are heavily taxed and age restricted products.  In addition, indoor/outdoor smoking laws vary at the municipality and state level.  In the U.S., there are a couple of states with no taxes and other states where the retail price of cigars is double the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) because of taxation.  

In the U.S., there are states where you can smoke inside retail tobacconists, bars and restaurants and states where you can't.  There are even many municipalities where it is illegal to smoke outdoors.  The rules and regulations governing cigars vary everywhere and impact everyone, for better or worse.... mostly for the worse.          


SANITARY STANDARDS
Cigars must be cared for with strict sanitary standards.  Because consumers place cigars in their mouths, they must be treated like any other food product.  Cigars and their boxes should never be placed on the floor, or touched with dirty hands.  In addition, cigars should not be placed in the nose or mouth by customers or tobacconists.  If your retail tobacconist does not appear to keep things clean and sanitary, pick another retail tobacconist.  



CARE & MAINTENANCE
Cigars must be kept at 70% relative humidity and at 70ᐤF.  The humidity will preserve the essential oils which contain and convey the flavor (taste+aroma) of the tobaccos, while the cool temperature will keep microscopic larvae (Tobacco Beetles) from hatching and destroying the cigars.  Proper temperature and humidity must be maintained at all times.  If you find yourself in a store that is hot and/or the cigars feel dry, find another retail tobacconist. 

DON'T INHALE
Cigars are not meant to be inhaled, they are meant to be savored...