Texas Law change! Cigar shops fighting back!

[Stogie]

Over the weekend I found out that some of the owners of some of local Houston B&Ms are heading up to the state capital today "Tuesday" to fight against the smoking ban law that Texas is trying to pass.

I do not have the specifics but from what I understand this law would ban cigar smoking everywhere including private clubs. This means no more smoking at the local B&M either.

I wish I could take the day off....

[The Bruce-cl]

Here in AZ he have just voted in a smoking ban. I was surprised to see the more stringent one go through. They say it's about health and kids health. Bullkaka!!! Kids are not allowed in bars. Most if not 99% of restaurant here don't allow smoking anyway. This is a bullkaka law because people don't like thier clothes smelling like cigaretes. The Friuting Goverment needs to get the heckola out of our lives and stop telling us what to do!!!!

As Ol'Dee sang:

we've Got The Right To Choose And
there Ain't No Way We'll Lose It
this Is Our Life, This Is Our Song
we'll Fight The Powers That Be Just
don't Pick Our Destiny 'cause
you Don't Know Us, You Don't Belong

[terrasco-cl]

Abilene city council enacted a total smoking ban in public places. There was limited opposition until people found out about it. Now there is a massive recall effort underway. Our biggest enemy is lack of publicity. Texas was founded by individuals that wanted to make their own life and not live under a tyranny.

[tekeeladude-cl]

That really sucks! They just passed a state law here in Nebraska, but thankfully cigar shops are exempt and individual communities can opt out of the state ban.

[N2Advnture-cl]

Man...it just keeps getting worse.

The funny thing is if you look, there is NOTHING, statistically that proves that second hand smoke in any form (cigar or cig) has proven health risks but the squeaky wheel gets the grease - whomever screams the loudest gets the most political attention and we do not make a loud enough voice.

Just take a look at "gun control", for awhile there, that's all you heard about and look how many gun bans there were. Haven't heard much out of them in a while and look...no bans in the news.

~Mark

[BigBuddha76]

the only building the government has even close to a right to ban smoking in is a government building. and then only if it is the will of the people.

The problem we have in this country is that the masses have decided that the government should run us instead of us running the government. My theory is that it all stems back to the socialist programs started by FDR during the depression. It became ingrained in the peoples mindsets over the years that the gov't is here to take care of us. The only purpose of the gov't should be to protect the borders, protect the CITIZENS, and raise an army in time of war, not imposing useless laws upon the citizenry just because some whining bitch yelled the loudest. We all have the same right to have our voice heard.

And I can (and have) yelled pretty loud.

[DanRichmond]

The opponents of the proposed smoking ban showed up in force in Austin on March 13. Of course the proponents with their "second hand smoke kills" and "we must do everything we can to protect employees in the workplace" showed up too. My wife and I, along with many fine retailers,bar owners, etc. spoke our minds in opposition to the bill. If I take the questions of several of the committee members as an indication, they listened favorably to the arguments for cigars shops and cigar bars being exempt. The language in the bill would lead to the conclusion that the legislature hopes to make it law on or before September 1.

[Stogie]

Originally Posted by DanRichmond

If I take the questions of several of the committee members as an indication, they listened favorably to the arguments for cigars shops and cigar bars being exempt.

I sure hope they get the exemption Dan. Thanks for going to battle for the cigar smokers in Texas.

[Brother Jebadiah-cl]

Originally Posted by tekeeladude

That really sucks! They just passed a state law here in Nebraska, but thankfully cigar shops are exempt and individual communities can opt out of the state ban.

Are you sure that passed? I haven't seen that in the news. Regardless, Lincoln's smoking ban is already as close to total as you can get. Until it is changed, I still can't smoke at Ted's.

[terrasco-cl]

Abilene allows smoking in smoke shops and cigar lounges that don't allow alcohol to be served. They were trying to close a loophole that would allow smoking in bars if they sold cigars. Unfortunately there is a really cool place downtown that is called "The Leaf" and they were a combination coffee bar and cigar lounge. They didn't sell alcohol but allowed BYOB. The local homebrew club would meet there. Under the new ordinance they could no longer allow BYOB.

This whole PC thing is getting out of hand. Second hand smoke, global warming...

[tekeeladude-cl]

Originally Posted by Brother Jebadiah

Are you sure that passed? I haven't seen that in the news. Regardless, Lincoln's smoking ban is already as close to total as you can get. Until it is changed, I still can't smoke at Ted's.

Discussed this with Mike at Ted's. The local municipalities can opt out or can enforce more stringent laws. In the case of Lincoln, they completely banned it.

[Starsky]

I just heard on the radio today that a state wide smoking ban passed in the Illinois house, now it has to go to the senate. I can't believe this garbage is going on, we're all being herded like a bunch of cattle. The people should be allowed to vote on these laws. Not have them crammed down our throats.

[The Bruce-cl]

Originally Posted by Starsky

The people should be allowed to vote on these laws. Not have them crammed down our throats.

Be careful what you wish for. Here in AZ the people voted for and passed
the more aggressive of two smoking bans. It's still wrong, but what can we do now that the people have spoken?

[alanf]

Originally Posted by N2Advnture

Man...it just keeps getting worse.

The funny thing is if you look, there is NOTHING, statistically that proves that second hand smoke in any form (cigar or cig) has proven health risks but the squeaky wheel gets the grease - whomever screams the loudest gets the most political attention and we do not make a loud enough voice.

Just take a look at "gun control", for awhile there, that's all you heard about and look how many gun bans there were. Haven't heard much out of them in a while and look...no bans in the news.

~Mark

A really excellent, pretty balanced link for Tobacco Related Analysis is:

http://tobaccoanalysis.blogspot.com/

Dr. Siegel was instrumental in second-hand smoke bans but thinks the movement has gone way over the top and is spreading lies and misinformation.

Right now up on the site is an article about Dr. James Enstrom who dared to question the link between secondhand smoke and lung cancer in nonsmokers in a 2003 British Medical Journal article and was charged with scientific misconduct by the American Cancer Society. A charge, for which, he was just cleared after an internal investigation by the University of California. Very interesting stuff.

Alan

[mrgatorman]

Originally Posted by alanf

A really excellent, pretty balanced link for Tobacco Related Analysis is:

http://tobaccoanalysis.blogspot.com/

Dr. Siegel was instrumental in second-hand smoke bans but thinks the movement has gone way over the top and is spreading lies and misinformation.

Right now up on the site is an article about Dr. James Enstrom who dared to question the link between secondhand smoke and lung cancer in nonsmokers in a 2003 British Medical Journal article and was charged with scientific misconduct by the American Cancer Society. A charge, for which, he was just cleared after an internal investigation by the University of California. Very interesting stuff.

Alan

So sad...its the equivlant to someone striking a match and burning down California.