...and could have told your B&M what changes to make before the ban occured, what would you tell them to do/change?

I live in Iowa, and they just passed law allowing local cities to decide, on their own, to ban public smoking; city by city. I have a good connection with "the" local B&M and am concerned they need to make changes to get ready for the impact of this legislation (sp?).

Should they set up a cigar club? Publicize a lounge that requires membership. Here's an exerpt (sp?)

"The amendment for fraternal groups was sponsored by Sen. Mark Zieman, R-Postville. He said the groups deserve special consideration because patrons are people who choose to be members"

What other things should the B&M change now to prepare for the possible and more than likely probable bans for our area?

On a good note, the B&M is moving, opening the new location around the begining of April. I would think they could make a huge deal that it would be a public smoking area. They have entertained the issue, but are concerned that every "Joe Public Lucky Strike" would be in there smoking.

Any ideas?

My opinion, only.

1) Install a set of lockers in the walk-in humidor, that can be rented to customers for cigar storage.

2) Have a ventilated smoking area with chairs, etc, where customers can sit, chat, read, and enjoy their cigars.

3) Hold cigar gatherings on a regular basis, and invite cigar reps. to come and schmooze with the customers. ie: Have a Friday night smoke, where, for a fee to cover costs, each customer is given a few good quality cigars, with a value higher than the ticket price, a couple of sodas, and an opportunity to share and compare comments on the cigars.

CigarHo,

Your question depends upon the underlying rationale for the ban. In WV, Counties are also permitted to implemement a ban. The rationale for the bans in this State is to protect the health and welfare of employees who may be exposed to second-hand smoke from the public by REQUIRING that "any business establishment that has employees must prohibit smoking." That rationale takes away the "choice" agrument, i.e., that people can choose whether or not they want to patronize an establishment that permits smoking. The thought is that employees don't have a similar choice, (which I disagree with...they can choose to work elsewhere. But that argument hasn't gotten very far here.) So a "private club" structure won't work here because a private club would still have employees.

If the rationale for the ban in your area is to protect the public's health and safety, as opposed to employees, than a "private club" structure may work. I've heard that bars in Utah have to do the same thing.... as drinking in public establishments is prohibited, so everybody pays a one-time nominal fee upon entrance and they become "members" of a private club. (Don't know how accurate that is, but it's something I heard of. Maybe someone from Utah can clarify?)

Just a couple of thought....hope it works out for you.

It's still common for tobacco shops in the US to be exempt from most bans, since they only exist for smoking. He should prepare to lobby his city or county legislators for such an exemption, should a ban be proposed.

Actually MRM many of the newer bans do not exempt cigar stores....The proposed Texas law for example does not. IT is getting scary out there and people have to start fighting back...let your legislators know your opinions...organize and write.

We all b*tched up a storm when Bloomberg passed the NYC ban back in '03, but in retrospect, it has turned out to be far more generous than some that have been enacted since. For example, it allows cigar bars which derive a certain portion of their income in tobacco sales. This has left about eight joints still in operation. Cigar shops are also exempt.

In CT they grandfathered cigar lounges but will not allow any new ones to open. In New Haven there is the Owl Shop, It has had a lliquor license since before there were licenses. As far as I can tell all the employees there smoke and thgey get quite good tips in Friday evenings. there is a whole crowd of regulars.

I believe they should allow cigar lounges and let the employees choose the risk. More coal miners die from accicdents than second hand smokle and I don't see them banning coal mines, just making them safer. they could do that by requiring air cleraning systems but let US decide on the risk. I SCUBA dive and ride a motorcycle and assume the risk.

Sorry for getting up on my soapbox but you asked for my opinion. I'll have a Don Tomas and calm down.

Cheers

Thank you for your responces. I will take this to the B&M.

I would think if they sole business was tobacco, then they would be included in the exception. At the same time, the state just increased tobacco taxes from 22% to 50%. I don't know all the details, but there is something about a $0.50 maximum, which to me means $0.50 a stick higher for my cigars.

How do you create a "club" without coming off snobby? How do you allow new customers to not be fearful of entering the establishment?

I agree by writing a letter to my congressman to see what I can do to help.

Scary times, ladies and Gents. Scary times.

Here in AZ, there is a ban about to begin May 1. Since I'm in "The Town Too Tough To Die" the bar owners are going to refuse to enforce it. I will refuse to obey it. Hell, I can walk down the street, go into a business carring a gun, but not a cigar? Doesn't fly with me.

Depending on how laws are worded, if there is no provision for a business to enforce it, maybe they need to get together and continue things as is. Everybody will need to do it to make it work.

There's still a good chance any statewide ban will exempt tobacco shops and maybe cigar bars. New Mexico's just-passed ban exempts both of those, as did Colorado, New Jersey, Arizona, Ohio (although no cigar bars are allowed in Ohio and Arizona is murky on the subject). These are all the most recently enacted bans.

The only state which does not allow smoking in tobacco shops is Washington. Cities in some states may have stricter bans that do not exempt smoke shops, however.

Houston's ban that takes effect next year exempts tobacco shops and cigar bars. Texas will likley follow the pattern of its biggest city if any ban is passed.

Ban proposals that offer no exemptions are just a legislative bargaining tool. I'd still expect the final version to include a few exceptions.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: MRM,

Wacco:

first, how far is Tombstone from Phoenix? I will be there for a conference the end of July.

Second, I think you are right about the bargaining chip. Ask for soething totally unreasonable and the unconstitutional becomes palatable. We feel lucky to have half the loaf.

We can not smoke in our local store because the neighbor complained of smelling smoke in her store. All it takes is one person to complain to the health department and boom no smoking. We do smoke outside the store on the sidewalk. She did try to stop that a couple of weeks ago. Splashwear Aquatics Arkansas is not a friend to smokers.

quote:

Originally posted by Petraud:
Splashwear Aquatics Arkansas is not a friend to smokers.

The store even sounds like it's owned by douchebags. Funny, there's a coffee shop two doors down from the cigar shop I go to that claims the cigar butts in the dumpster out back are stinky. Somehow, they can smell them over the waste from the Chinese restaurant in between and their own garbage. Amazing.

If cigar butts can overpower garbage they must be strong.

A landlord in a town next to mine did allow a cigar store into the center store of a retail condominium. After it opened they found out all the stores had a common ceiling (violation of code) and the owner had to install fire breaks and an air filter system. I think the original stores had a valid grievance and the owner should not have put a smoke shop in with inadequate ventilation.

Not sure if on topic or not but I think what I was tryiong to say was that we have to make reasonable accomodationsnot succumb to unreasonable attitudes.

Saxon, I'm three hours South of Phoenix. I'm willing to travel.

What these bans are doing, is criminalizing a legal activity. When I go to a bar, it's legal to order a beer. It's also legal to possess it. They don't make me go outside to drink it. When is the last time you were at a bar or smoke shop and saw someone wearing exercise clothes, a pedometer, and carrying health food? Doubt it's in recent memory. These places cater to those that want to indulge in cigars and such. Legislational buffoonery never ceases to amaze me.

I don't want to shock anyone but on the northwest side of Indy they have opened a irish pub that allows cigar smoking . One pub about 1/2 mi away just stoped letting people enjoy cigars in thier establishment.
It is common to have places close thier doors to cigar smokers, but it is nice to see someone open a new one up. They even have a humidor with some for sale.

Indymark, where's that at? I will have to stop by on my next trip through. My wife is from Kokomo and I live in Louisville, so I drive thru often.

And where I live, I believe you are still allowed to smoke in the smoke shops.

Now I wish my parents had not moved east. Where is it located, it could be worth a trip. I was born near Grissom AFB in Peru

Got some family in Peru, but have not been lately.