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 ...
Hey. What can I help with?
Instead of enforcing virtual Prohibition on a legal product why couldn’t enlightened state legislatures simply pass a law that business establishments either be all smoking or all non smoking and advertise their choice in large lettered signs on their doors and similar notices be included in all advertisements, webs sites and offers of employment. This way those who do not wish to have smoke can simply not enter the establishment. The market will quickly decide what businesses they want to patronize.
I admit, I don't know much about the cigar part of the tobacco business. However, I was under the impression that cigars enjoyed a big renaissance during the 1990s (prior to the revelations about Bill's personal humidor). There were cigar stores opening all over the place, restaurants advertising cigar dinners... that sort of stuff.
Are you referring to the overall legal assault on "big tobacco", or is it something more specific?
Getting them online works great. Just gotta know what you’re looking for.
I take my kayak out into the middle of the lake, put my feet up and that’s right enjoy my cigars.
Getting them online works great. Just gotta know what you’re looking for.
I take my kayak out into the middle of the lake, put my feet up and that’s where I enjoy my cigars.
No smoking on the lake secondhand smoke is bad for teh fish besides you or somebody else might throw a butt in the water and thena ll the fish would be DEAD!
Thanks for the ping!
Interestingly enough, the Anti-Smoking Cartel applauds any business that advertises for non-smoking employees, even going so far as to encourage "smokers need not apply" company policies. However, if a company advertises for employees who smoke, those same weenies scream employment discrimination from the roof tops.
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