Article 317 of alt.smokers.glamour: Path: cocoa.brown.edu!agate!howland.erols.net!www.nntp.primenet.com!nntp.primenet.com!nntp.coast.net!ftl.msen.com!not-for-mail From: derek@wubios.wustl.edu (Derek Morgan) Newsgroups: alt.sex.fetish.smoking,alt.smokers.glamour Subject: Cigarette Holder FAQ Date: 17 Dec 1996 19:13:39 GMT Organization: Washington University in St. Louis, MO USA Lines: 104 Approved: asg-sub@lelnet.com Message-ID: <596rd3$se1@newsreader.wustl.edu> NNTP-Posting-Host: conch.aa.msen.com X-Sent-To: id QQbunc13978; Tue, 17 Dec 1996 14:13:50 -0500 (EST) To: alt-smokers-glamour@uunet.uu.net X-NNTP-Posting-Host: wubios.wustl.edu X-Newsreader: TIN [UNIX 1.3 unoff BETA release 960817] Xref: cocoa.brown.edu alt.sex.fetish.smoking:25492 alt.smokers.glamour:317 Cigarette Holder FAQ v.1.4 12/17/96, (c) copyright, Derek Morgan, 1995, 1996. Q: I want to buy a cigarette holder, but I can't seem to find any. Where can I find them? Cigarette holders are becoming increasingly rare; many tobacco stores have stopped carrying them. If you do find one, you may find a Dunhill holder (about $35), or a precious metal (gold, silver) holder (up to $1000-$2000). Meerschaum holders are probably the easiest to find; some have fairly intricate carved designs; they can be expensive as well. There is only one manufacturer of relatively inexpensive (under $25) holders in the U.S., and two distributors. Send e-mail to HolderLady@aol.com. Her company, HolderLady Ltd., should be able to help. Vintage clothing or costume stores are also good places to look, especially for the longer holders. You also have the advantage of being able to say "Roaring 20's" party if the clerk asks about it. *** NEW Fumarium has informed us that the manufacturer/wholesaler of holders is: The New Gesty 84 South Bayless Avenue Port Washington, NY, 11050 Phone: (516) - 883 - 8282 FAX: (516) - 767 - 3692 They *usually* don't sell direct to the public but if you *really* want to get one, there's a lot worse places to ask. *** NEW There is now an Internet source for cigarette holders, HolderLady, Ltd. Web address: http://members.aol.com/diamond240/holder4s/HolderLadyLtd.html e-mail: HolderLady@aol.com Q: What kinds of inexpensive holders are there, and how long are they? Holders are available in a variety of types and sizes. Lengths range from 2" to 2+ feet. Most have a spring-loaded ejection mechanism. Either plastic or metal is the predominant material. If you purchase a metal holder, it will most likely be of the telescoping type. (See "Breakfast At Tiffany's"--Audrey Hepburn uses one in the first party scene.) Telescoping holders can be difficult to use. In addition to the "wide load" flags they should carry, the seals between the telescoping joints may not work very well, and the draw becomes air-filled, instead of smoke-filled. Bear in mind that holders were originally intended for unfiltered cigarettes. Q: I found a holder, but I can't use it. Why do my cigarettes keep falling out? Not many over-the-counter cigarettes fit in them. Again, they were originally designed for unfiltered or hand-rolled cigarettes. Camel Wides have been the only brand that I've seen fit reliably. Q: Is there anything I can do to make my holder work with my cigarettes? I hate Camel Wides. You can make the aperture smaller to fit today's slimmer cigarettes. This is done by fitting the metal ring from an AquaFilter into the opening. Cut off the smaller rear ring; most holders aren't deep enough to accommodate it. AquaFilters can be found in most large drug stores, near the tobacco accessories. For Virginia Slims, etc., you _will_ need the small part of the ring. Cut off as much of the front of the ring, or as little of the small part ring as necessary. As long as some of the narrower part of the metal ring exists, the cigarette will stay securely fastened. For most 120's, a small ring of rubber tubing glued to the inside of the holder works best. While the method described above will work, if the holder is actually supposed to be used, a rubber retaining ring is better. It is very difficult to cover the draw holes in the filter of the cigarette with an AquaFilter ring. For Capris and SuperSlims, a PaperMate Write Bros. Pen will work. Cut the tube 1/2" to 1 " away from the pen point end and fit it into the holder. Make sure that you have used enough pen so that the draw holes in the filter are covered when it's being used. Also, some work may be needed to widen the inside so that it's easier to put the cigarette in, but don't make it too easy; a snug fit is better than a loose one. You can then paint the plastic in the proper color. Some holders will need a combination of these methods, and some holders will need to be widened slightly to fit the various adapting extensions; in stage props work, our tools are a circular file and a razor knife. Q: My cigarettes taste cruddy when I use the holder; they didn't used to. If the holders are going to be used on a semi-regular basis, it's good to clean them out periodically with pipe cleaners; the gunk that accumulates _does_ change the taste of the smoke. Every once in a while, use plain rubbing alcohol on the pipe cleaners when you clean, but be sure to let the holder dry out completely. Any other questions, comments, additions should be sent to me at derek@wubios.wustl.edu. Derek