G'day everyone.
Things are starting to look really grim here in Oz. Interstate pipe smokers are saying that ALL of their recent orders have been intercepted by Customs. (Duty is over $544aud for 1lb of baccy)
Laws are changing on July 1st which will basically shut the door to tobacco from O/S.
Before plain packaging choice was already slim here. Since then, most blenders stopped importing to Australia as the market is so small it's not worth their effort.
In the 9 years since I've been smoking a pipe, I've not seen a single English/American blend for sale.
Unfortunately other responsibilities has slowed my ordering to a trickle & will only be able to afford 1 or 2 more orders before the deadline (As it takes around 2 weeks to arrive, my last order would have to be 2 weeks before July 1st)
I've figured that I'll have to grow my own (Highly illegal here in nanny state Australia) so I've ordered a pound of C&D Izmir Turkish to mix with homegrown Virginia & Burley & will be ordering blending Latakia & hope that that gets through.
Latakia will be the only English ingredient that I wont be able to make myself. The thought of never smoking a blend with Latakia again really pisses me off.
I've got 8oz of Latakia cellared but that wouldn't last long.
The 1lb bag of C&D Izmir Turkish just arrived. It's not what I was expecting as I thought that it would have had a more distinctive taste & aroma. It's nice & all but it appears that it's something that I could have grown myself.
My last orders will be for some straight Latakia & fingers crossed that they make it to my door.
There's so many blends that I'll never get to try. At least I got to try quite a few that can't be bought here, including SPC Plum Pudding & Mississippi River & have unopened 2oz tins of each in the cellar.
I will be writing to the Tax Commissioner asking for an exemption but I don't like my chances.
When we first heard of the changing laws I freaked out a bit & have spent every spare $ ordering tobacco since. Other Aussies on FB groups bagged me out saying that I was 'paranoid'. Looks like those blokes have missed the opportunity to order before the door slammed shut.
Although I've got a decent stash (over 35lb) I've figured that at around 7 bowls a day, that would be a 3 year supply.
Not sure what I will do when that runs out.
It's really grim. Although I don't think that tobacco laws & tax will ever get as bad in the U.S. as it is here in Oz, the proposed changes in U.S. law should be sufficient warning for you all to start building your cellars. Once the door has shut there's no going back.
No such thing as 'too much' tobacco. Most gets better with age & it would be a valuable trading item should shite ever hit the fan.
Stock up while you can people.
