PuffingCigars.com » smoking ban

South Dakota Ban

Rob — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:23:05 +0000

A legislative committee in South Dakota has unanimously voted that smoking be banned in all public places.

The Senate Health and Human Services Committee voted 7-0 Monday to pass SB83, which would repeal several exemptions in the current state smoking ban.

The current exemptions apply to casinos, bars, hotel rooms, and cigar lounges.

Supports of the ban have taken the health stance, arguing that less public smoking will help on health care costs.

“There is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke,” Sen. Dave Knudson, R-Sioux Falls, told the panel.

Opponents of the South Dakota smoking ban argue that further restrictions to various business will hurt their overall revenue – perhaps close business such as cigar lounges. This directly relates to money that the state will be needing as tax revenue has been falling.

The committee refused to amend the bill to exempt cigar lounges. Providing some exemptions to business who may close due to the ban is expected to be highly debated on the Senate floor.

Baltimore to Ban Single Cigars

Rob — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 23:21:53 +0000

Attempting to lower the numbers of people who smoke cheap, “inexpensive”, small, cigarillos – Baltimore is trying to ban bar shops (bars? Any shops?) from opening packages and selling the cigars individually.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

I went ahead and added the link to the full news story because I have more commentary on this story then actual news. Plus the writing of the article is just superb.

Are they going to define what the difference between a bar, cigar lounge, and cigar bar is?

Will cigar bars have to follow these rules?

What is a pack? Does this include small cigar bundles? How do you know if a cigar is really cheap?

What about “real” cigarillos?

The end of the story gives an example of this trying to pass in Maryland and it was quickly shot down by tobacco makers and retailers (nothing is ever quick in politics). Good luck to everyone in Baltimore who will fight this.

European Union Discriminates

Rob — Sat, 24 May 2008 02:57:51 +0000

This is not a good sign for anyone, anywhere.

SMOKE DISCRIMINATION

When has discrimination ever been a good idea?

On to the quick summary of the story: Companies in the European Union may now discriminate against smokers and choose not to hire them for employment.

Let me summarize some more: Companies may choose to not hire someone based on a personal choice. Personal discrimination is protected (Sexual orientation, age, disability…etc)

So why not this one?

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Judge Advises a Smoking Loophole

Rob — Sat, 24 May 2008 01:59:38 +0000

Washington has a state law that bans smoking in public places. A bar owner, Frank Schnarrs, was issued a citation for patrons smoking in his bar.

During his court appearance his judge offers a bit of advice:

“Maybe if you had a membership, private club, and charged something more than the cost of food and drink to be a member, you could get around it that way,”

I don’t know about you, but I have never heard of a judge actually presenting legal advice from the bench, especially one to get around a state law.

Does anyone else think the judge might be a smoker (lets hope cigar smoker) ?

Enjoy reading this story: And to all smoke shops / cigar lounge owners – Keep up the good fight.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE