Posted on 04/21/2011 4:23:24 PM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
SPOKANE, Wash. | As quests for freedom go, it’s not exactly the fight against apartheid in South Africa. But cigar smokers around the country are fed up with smoking bans that prevent them from enjoying stogies in cigar bars with friends.
A rising number of states have moved to exempt cigars from indoor smoking bans, often by establishing cigar bars or smoking lounges inside cigar stores. Pro-cigar groups have sprung up nationally and in most states, spreading a message that their product is fundamentally different from cigarettes.
Cigar smokers are not interested in exposing the general public to their pungent fumes, said Joe Arundel, president of the Cigar Association of Washington. But they don’t see why they can’t smoke in the company of fellow enthusiasts - a gathering known as a “herf” in cigar circles - in businesses dedicated solely to the product.
“It’s not like people walk into a cigar store by accident,” said Mr. Arundel, who operates Rain City Cigar in Seattle.
Washington used to have cigar bars and lounges. But a ban on all indoor smoking in 2005 put them out of business. A bill introduced in the state legislature this year that would allow a limited number of cigar lounges and bars has languished in committee, after getting vehement opposition from the state Department of Health.
Washington state health officials oppose any change to the state’s indoor smoking ban, one of the nation’s first, said Tim Church, a spokesman for the agency. “The indoor smoking law was passed by a great majority in every county in Washington state.”
The ban is intended to protect the health of nonsmokers and especially of employees who work in bars and restaurants, Mr. Church said.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Nanny State PING!
I bet if the smokers where filling the cigars with pot, these bans would magically disappear. Especially in Leftist states.
Yo...
Yeah Baby!
The right to protect ones self individually is illegal in the land of individual freedom.
It takes a village in this time of compassionate politics to guarantee individual freedoms has dictated by the mob.
If they allow cigar lounges then they should have to allow cigarette lounges. just saying.
Conversely, if tobacco clubs are banned then gay bath houses should be banned. The public health risks are obvious.
One way around the tactic of using employee safety against a smoking lounge is to not have employees, only members, with the club being a Limited Liability Company. Members that perform services for the LLC such as teaching bartending, cigar appreciation, and pole dancing classes, get a form of shares that are redeemable in cash.
This is sweetened by having dividends that are substantially better than typical investments.
Membership in such a club is terribly strict, with prospective members providing substantial affirmation about their beliefs and associations. Excluded are attorneys, LEOs, city employees, and other such disreputable types. A final vote of the membership including sponsorship by existing members, is par for the course.
To prevent the business exclusion of private clubs, conversations are limited to non-business topics.
Or ya hire smokers and make them sign a waiver that they won’t complain about the smoke in the future.
It was known as Cigar city.
Today 1 Cigar Factory.
First Clinton and then Obama killed the industry.
I suggest that FReepers consider The Metropolitan Society if they are anywhere near Fairfield, NJ.
Some years ago a post here took me to a link which referenced this club. Fifteeen minutes later I was a member!
ML/NJ
I just don’t understand the mentality. If someone wants to work in a cigar bar, why shouldn’t they have the freedom to do so? Just like the cigar smokers themselves. WHO are the anti-tobacco Nazis “helping”? There used to be a very elegant cigar bar at the top of one of the hotels in my city. Fantastic views, fireplaces, sports on the hi-def TVs, the finest selection of scotches and liquors, the hottest waitresses. NOBODY who “didn’t like” smoke was forced to enter. Everyone was happy, ESPECIALLY the waitresses and bartenders who made gigantic tips. Now it’s a “wine bar” that hardly anyone goes to. I guarantee the waitresses that were let go were just “thrilled”. NOT!
This is what we do. (See post at #13.) Even UPS guys aren't permitted into our vestibule!
ML/NJ
Some guy in Tacoma tried this approach, I think, but was shut down post-haste, even though he followed the “law” to the letter.
If you keep it to a small group of people you know and trust this approach might work for others. A nice apartment somewhere would work well, too, if your local doesn't have tons of loft space.
And those who voted in favor won't be going to the locations that would be affected by this bill. Or are you saying you think those voter have the right to veto the right of others to engage in particular behaviors even when they themselves are by definition not affected? Dillweed.
No feds either feds can go screw.
Working on a medical center campus where smoking is verboten, I’m continually struck by the wide open spaces, benches, fountains, courtyards... and no one patronizing them.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.