Stogie News: More Statewide Smoking Bans in the Works
24 Apr 2007
It’s been quite awhile since we last discussed smoking bans. March 27, to be exact. (OK, such nanny state legislation was mentioned in a few Friday Samplers since that post, but that doesn’t really count.)
In case you’re wondering, our 28-day hiatus was no mistake. Writing about the dangers of government-imposed smoking bans is no light subject, and the ferocity with which they grip the nation doesn’t make for pleasant reading – especially if you’re a fan of freedom. Besides, we recognize that many of you could care less about politics and policy.
Today, however, it’s time to break the silence. Take a look at the map below, which features states with some sort of statewide smoking ban highlighted in red, and you’ll see why.
(Please excuse the haphazardness of my map. No credible, updated map of statewide smoking bans could be found, so I had to make this from scratch.)
State legislature after state legislature is passing paternalistic smoking bans that prevent business owners from offering the amenities they so choose and criminalize consenting adults for engaging in a nonviolent behavior. All this based on bogus studies from the AFL-CIO and the Center for Disease Control.
Here’s a look at the latest states hoping to join the ranks of those already with fascist smoking bans.
Illinois
The state senate recently passed SB0500, a bill that would ban smoking in all public places and private clubs in the Land of Lincoln. On April 9 it was sent to the house, where it currently waits for approval. Nearly 40 Illinois towns have grown impatient of the delay and are implementing their own bans until the statewide law comes through.
Minnesota
St. Paul politicians are considering a slightly toned-down version of an all-out smoking ban that would allow bars and restaurants to apply to local municipalities for smoking licenses. This (arguably) more sensible proposition is drawing heavy criticism for being too lenient.
New Hampshire
A five-person house committee was recently convened to consider Senate Bill 42 – a statewide bar and restaurant smoking ban. Foster’s Daily Democrat wrote a good editorial on Monday stating that “after a string of efforts…to babysit New Hampshire residents…it is time to tell Granite Staters that they are responsible for their own health habits.â€
Tags: cigars
Patrick Ashby
Co-Founder & Editor in Chief
Patrick Semmens
Co-Founder & Publisher
George Edmonson
Tampa Bureau Chief
Thanks for taking the time to put that map together, Patrick. It's an alarming visual that points up the magnitude of the freedom-squelching bans.
Assuming they all will pass one (and I hope to God that's not a safe assumption), which state do you think will be the last to implement a statewide smoking ban? I'm putting my money on North Carolina.
Archy,
Thanks for the kind words. In response to your very tough question, North Carolina may not be as safe of a bet as it would seem. A recent Elon Poll found that nearly 2/3 of all Tarheel Staters support a smoking ban for all public places.
I'd like to think that my state, Virginia, would be the last, but recent events out of Richmond indicate a ban may be close.
I'd probably put my money on South Carolina. It has just the right mix of tobacco heritage and small government principles.
This is a good time to plug one of my favorite South Park episodes:
http://www.allsp.com/l.php?id=e109
This stuff infuriates me. It isn't a right vs left issue either as both sides are equally guilty of jumping on the smoking ban wagon. Especially as I watch my favorite places to smoke closing their doors or going off limits now that Ohio has a smoking ban. I haven't had a chance to follow up on it yet, but I've been trying to find an organization that will help fight these, heck maybe we need to start one.
i agree we need to unite in one big voice. i hate to keep beating a dead horse,will someone please do a study to find out how much nicotine content is present in a aged tobacco leaf. stop lumping us with cigaretts.with all the bad mouthing going on,some big company should jump on it to stop the bad press.
I think the smartest solution is self-reliance. The cigar manufacturers and retailers ought to open their own bars and clubs, just as RJR did in Chicago. In fact, Holt's in Philadelphia – one of my all time favorite tobacco shops – owns and operates Mahogany, a cigar bar located just upstairs from the store. Because Mahogany is owned by Holt's – they're exempt from Philadelphia's smoking ban (and best of all, this ain't slumming – it's a hell of a great place to spend an evening).
Yup, smoking bans stink. They're unfair to anyone who likes a good cigar and fixed so that governments can look like they're doing "the right thing" while not losing a dime of tobacco revenue. But instead of wasting energy trying to fight bans that are popular politically and socially, we should band together to exploit and expand the loopholes in the current laws.
In the meantime, you'll find me at Shelly's, the Old Glory's porch, the back room at Talullah, or at Carpool – the last bastions of freedom in the DC area.
Well, shortly, you can add Texas to the shade of red states. Soon, every state will be doomed. It's a matter of time.
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