SMOKE FREE ONTARIO - Tobacco Display Ban

[DonnieW]

Originally Posted by replicant_argent

More ridiculous Nanny-Statism.
Whether you are a province, a state, a protectorate, a nation, a city, county, or parrish, protection of anyone from simply viewing a product of any type, unless lewd, is an abomination to the tenets of good taste, logic, and common sense.

Bloody right. Here's the bullshit irony, in Canada it is perfectly legal for women to go around topless - showing boobs to anyone, be they Christians, Muslims, atheists, etc. Some may consider public nudity immoral, almost evil (I'm cool with it). Nonetheless its perfectly fine to show their gear. But damn, don't you dare show anyone your cigar.

[papajohn67]

Originally Posted by DonnieW

Bloody right. Here's the bullshit irony, in Canada it is perfectly legal for women to go around topless - showing boobs to anyone, be they Christians, Muslims, atheists, etc. Some may consider public nudity immoral, almost evil (I'm cool with it). Nonetheless its perfectly fine to show their gear. But damn, don't you dare show anyone your cigar.

Breasts & Stogies...all sounds good to me. Don't cover any of them up.

[ZedR2]

How would us cigar guys go about starting up a petition to the government , I stopped in at a local shop that used to have pretty good display and now I can not even see the cigar until I buy it/them , I'm 55 F'ing years old and I can't even look at what I want to buy ?
We need to start something up and raise a little hell , any ideas ?

[GWN]

Went to my local convenience store the other day, which has a decent-sized walk-in with lots of CCs, Rockys, Padrons, etc. All the nice glass windows were covered up. Asked the guy if I could go in. Sez "Nope. New law."
I say, "How do I know what you have in there?"
Looks at me with an odd look. Then invites me in.
Obviously it's a law created by folks who have never smoked a cigar. When will they learn choosing a cigar is nothing like asking for a pack of DuMauriers or Marlboros? And kids buying a handful of Upmann coronas at (with our taxes) $10 a pop. Give me a break.

[DonnieW]

Originally Posted by ZedR2

How would us cigar guys go about starting up a petition to the government , I stopped in at a local shop that used to have pretty good display and now I can not even see the cigar until I buy it/them , I'm 55 F'ing years old and I can't even look at what I want to buy ?
We need to start something up and raise a little hell , any ideas ?

Thousands of people petitioned against it even prior to the first reading. However, becacuse this was phased-in legislation, no one could stop this phase. They've somehow managed to piggy-back these half-baked plans onto the existing one, which almost every smoker supported. The original plan was simply to restrict smokes from minors, that was the freakin Trojan Horse. Inside the old horse was all this nonesense of hiding smokes and screwing over legit cigar shops.

[Mtmouse]

Originally Posted by DonnieW

Thousands of people petitioned against it even prior to the first reading. However, becacuse this was phased-in legislation, no one could stop this phase. They've somehow managed to piggy-back these half-baked plans onto the existing one, which almost every smoker supported. The original plan was simply to restrict smokes from minors, that was the freakin Trojan Horse. Inside the old horse was all this nonesense of hiding smokes and screwing over legit cigar shops.

I'm sorry, but I think this new legislation will have the opposite effect. They have now made cigarettes even more, the "forbidden fruit'.

[Old Sailor]

Originally Posted by ZedR2

How would us cigar guys go about starting up a petition to the government , I stopped in at a local shop that used to have pretty good display and now I can not even see the cigar until I buy it/them , I'm 55 F'ing years old and I can't even look at what I want to buy ?
We need to start something up and raise a little hell , any ideas ?

Won't do any good....when the Government has made up their mind on something, petitions are not going to change it. I speak from 30 yrs experience as a Fed. employee...they will do what they want period and anything you say or do will not change it.

[Fortunate_Son]

Originally Posted by O-Danger

Anyway Alberta was just hit on the first of this month. It is really odd to look behind the counters and see grey plastic covers. I agree that the end to convenince stores selling cigars is comming to an end as it is just too hard. I should start looking for sales

I was up in Calgary last week and was surprised to find the display closed up at a news stand I buy cigars from. I'd just assumed they closed it up to help maintain humidity better.

The nanny state just gets more pervasive in the English speaking countries......... the U.S. hasn't gone as far down that road but the forces behind it are powerful here. I hope we can resist the worst of it.

[RETSF]

Originally Posted by DonnieW

Here's the official verbiage:

"Effective May 31, 2008 s. 3.1(2) of the Smoke-Free Ontario Act requires that:

No person shall display or permit the display of tobacco products in any place where tobacco products are sold or offered for sale in any manner that will permit a consumer to view any tobacco product before purchasing the tobacco."

Anyone local to Ontario is well aware of this, you can't walk into a store and not notice that all smokes are in closed cabinets - frankly its an eyesore. What most (including our American visitors) didn't realize is that this display ban significantly affects the cigar aficionados. Guess what? We can no longer walk into a humidor - instead you must know what you want or will need to pick from a catalog!! Granted there are exceptions for establishments that sell cigars/tobacco exclusively, but those places are few and far between. No longer can we hand pick and inspect our investments (whether short or long term)

I know the spirit of the ban is to curb youth from being brand-influenced or otherwise having an easy time picking out a pack, but this has unfortunately had a negative effect on the responsible cigar smokers - many of which are on this forum I'm sure.

Actually its an increase in control of peoples behavior by the government. Increnmentally the restrictions get tighter and tighter until all tobacco will cease to exist in Canada. Of course Canadians aren't alone, in the U.S. socialists who run the country are only looking out for those of us that don't know any better. With them being smarter and know whats best for us, I can hardly wait to pay more taxes than other americans don't pay to support childerns health and and i truly look forward to the day when we too must order our tobacco from a catalog. NOT!!!!

[DonnieW]

Originally Posted by Old Sailor

Won't do any good....when the Government has made up their mind on something, petitions are not going to change it. I speak from 30 yrs experience as a Fed. employee...they will do what they want period and anything you say or do will not change it.

That is the truth man! In 2001 we saw the first visible change to the tobacco display legislation in the form of restricting tobacco advertising. We all remember the Benson and Hedges Symphony of Fire story. The GOV put the advertising ban in place and called bluff on the tobacco manufactures. Well, Rothmans told the GOV to go 'f' themselves and pulled tens of millions in sponsorships. When the major cities hosting the event came to lynch the Feds, the Feds caved and put down the funding to keep it going sans tobacco advertising.

Originally Posted by RETSF

...Incrementally the restrictions get tighter and tighter until all tobacco will cease to exist in Canada.

It will never happen my friend (maybe... but unlikely). The GOV has an economical responsibility that will continue to force them to allow the sale of tobacco products until they can make up the BILLIONS of dollars they collect in tobacco tax. IMHO, all this bullshit legislation is doing is going after some low hanging fruit to appease the non-smokers. The GOV cannot afford to curtail tobacco sales any more than they have already - its simply economic suicide.

Another affect of restrictions is the obvious encouragement of smuggling. Smuggling is the worst nightmare for the GOV. Not only does smoking continue to flourish, it actually tends to grow because the cost of the product is usually cheaper. Add to that, the GOV loses tax income due to the illicit sales. We've seen the same happen to a lesser degree with booze, guns, ****, etc.

This dialogue is good and I hope folks continue to post their thoughts for discussion.

[SIZE=3] [/SIZE]

[DMK]

What the Firetruck....
I was at Fortino's yesterday picking up a bit of groceries and decided to stop in to the Holy Smokes shop on the way out....
Since the Grov. stuck their oar in and decided to play nanny they had to put up those stupid shelf covers over the dreaded cancer sticks and tinted the windows of the walk in humidor so you couldn't see. At least you could still go into the humidor ... with an escort... to pick out your sticks.
Well yesterday, I go in and I'm told.... "Here is a list of what we have, pick out what you want and I'll bring them out for you"...
My reply was .... like h e double toothpicks.... I'll buy elsewhere.
They just lost any and all of my future business.
I'll buy online and smugg....... err ... nevermind.....

[shaggy]

Originally Posted by DMK

What the Firetruck....
I was at Fortino's yesterday picking up a bit of groceries and decided to stop in to the Holy Smokes shop on the way out....
Since the Grov. stuck their oar in and decided to play nanny they had to put up those stupid shelf covers over the dreaded cancer sticks and tinted the windows of the walk in humidor so you couldn't see. At least you could still go into the humidor ... with an escort... to pick out your sticks.
Well yesterday, I go in and I'm told.... "Here is a list of what we have, pick out what you want and I'll bring them out for you"...
My reply was .... like h e double toothpicks.... I'll buy elsewhere.
They just lost any and all of my future business.
I'll buy online and smugg....... err ... nevermind.....

i was wondering how they were operating.....just too lazy to go see.

oh well....taxes make it kinda silly to shop up here anyways

[DMK]

The stupid part of it is, that I was in there about 3 weeks ago and they were still letting you go into the walk in... accompanied...but at least you could pick out your own sticks.

[DonnieW]

Originally Posted by DMK

The stupid part of it is, that I was in there about 3 weeks ago and they were still letting you go into the walk in... accompanied...but at least you could pick out your own sticks.

Well, if it makes you feel better, Fortino's is looking to lease out the space. Holy Smokes has canned their leases. Lease dates are spread all over, so shops will close in staggered dates from what I'm told.

[Bear]

Originally Posted by DonnieW

Well, if it makes you feel better, Fortino's is looking to lease out the space. Holy Smokes has canned their leases. Lease dates are spread all over, so shops will close in staggered dates from what I'm told.

Now is the time to contact the Holy Smokes near you if you are in the market for a cabinet humi...