So in Omaha, NE they have a smoking ban. Cigar lounges are exempt if they are a stand alone building, and if they are part of a chain of buildings, they must not let smoke creep into adjoining buildings, or it is a "violation" of the ban.
The first time the tenants next to him complained about smoke, the cops came and a "warning" was given, but it was not in writing, by law there must be a written warning before any further tickets can be issued. Also, there MUST be someone that actually witnessed the smoking, which there was not.
So the owner decides to make it a non-smoking lounge until they get things figured out, which i understand. So no smoking had gone on in the joint for a week and a half. Then the same tenants called the cops again, saying they smelled smoke.
The second time the cops came they gave my buddy a ticket for the smoking ban violation. He didnt argue with them, he just took the ticket and let the cops do their job. He did ask if anyone actually saw anyone smoking, and they stated no, but offered no other explanation as to why they were giving him a ticket.
So, this time, they took out all the ashtrays, put up NO SMOKING signs, and again made sure no one even thought about lighting up in the shop. Low and behold a week later....the same tenants call the cops again, they come out, give a ticket for another smoking ban violation and go on their way. This time however, there was an old retired judge that was sitting in the lounge doing a cross-word puzzle. This is where the old judge comes 2 or 3 times a week to just get away from his wife, he doesnt care if he gets to smoke or not, it just gets him out and about. Of course he doesnt say anything, and lets the cops do their thing, but he does say he will be a witness in court saying that there was no smoking going on, and gives my buddy some advice about how they should fight it.
This is just total bs, and borderline harassment. The cops are not even following the smoking ban laws, and just giving out tickets for the hell of it it seems like. Needless to say, this is a place i enjoyed going very much, and now i will not. I did go on Saturday and we sat out in some lounge chairs outside, and that was fine, but it is just not the same.
It is sad that such a thing is being put in place. Sorry, for the long post, and the rant. Just something i had to get off my chest.
Those who become angry at failure, only do so because they know they could have done more too succeed.... (original quote by me)
Tell the cigar store owner to call the cops and tell them that he can smell smoke from the other tenant. Based on the cops prior behvior, all that matters is that a complaint has been filed. They do no investigation, they just issue the ticket and head off to the nearest donut shop. Also, tell him to fight the tickets. he has the retired judge and the cops got squat. He can even drag the other tenant into court to testify.
Originally posted by nixdad: Tell the cigar store owner to call the cops and tell them that he can smell smoke from the other tenant. Based on the cops prior behvior, all that matters is that a complaint has been filed. They do no investigation, they just issue the ticket and head off to the nearest donut shop. Also, tell him to fight the tickets. he has the retired judge and the cops got squat. He can even drag the other tenant into court to testify.
Also, there is a woodoven pizza place on the other side of them, and they called the fire departments once because of "smoke" from them. He will fight the ticket, he has a lawyer friend that loves to get involved in stuff like this. He also loves to get the media involved.
The whole thing just sucks. I should just offer FREE cigars to their customers, or send them a care package with a bunch of smoked cigars and ashes.
Those who become angry at failure, only do so because they know they could have done more too succeed.... (original quote by me)
That really sucks, but I guess that is the way things have been for a while and how the ban got started. Someone complained about the smoke, regardless of whether it really bothered them or not, and the state caved in and declared a ban.
"As for me, all I know is that I know nothing. "
Posts: 63 | Location: El Paso, TX | Registered: November 13, 2006
Ha ha, ignorant @$$ Os. This is like the people that start to "cough" when they see you holding a cigar even though they are across the street and 100 feet away.
Last time a lit up in a cigar friendly honky tonk I frequent a woman at the next table got very indignant and complained about how much my cigar stank. I called the waitress over and told her to buy a round of drinks for her table and put it on my tab.
The waitress told me she wanted my business far more and would do no such thing. She then made them wait an awfully long time for their next drink and they left.
Could be she preferred selling top shelf bourbons and a good tip to beer and abuse.
Funny what happens when you let the businesses think for themselves.
