Initiative Would Exempt Cigar Bars From Indoor Smoking Ban (Washington State)

OPB News (Oregon) ^ | March 19, 2008 | Austin Jenkins

[Stoat]

Initiative Would Exempt Cigar Bars From Indoor Smoking Ban

By Austin Jenkins

Olympia, WA  March 19, 2008 3:28 p.m.

 

Washington State’s two-year-old indoor smoking ban is facing a challenge. Cigar shop owners have filed a citizen initiative to roll-back part of the law.

Dale Taylor is with the newly formed Cigar Association of Washington. He says the initiative would allow smoking in cigar shops, cigar bars, private clubs and service organizations like the Elks.

Dale Taylor: “What we’re asking for here is a fair and reasonable exemption to the law that allows a cigar store, for instance like the one I work in, to allow the customers to smoke the cigars that they buy here. And cigar bars which there used to be more than a few around the greater Seattle area and in the state.”

Sponsors have until June 30th to collect 225,000 valid voter signatures to get the measure on the November ballot.

Backers of the indoor smoking ban are concerned the initiative would create unintended loopholes in the law. For instance they say a bar might call itself a private club in order to allow patrons to smoke.

[Stoat]

Thanks to Orbusmax for the article link

Orbusmax ™ Northwest News - 'Around The World In 80K'

Please also see:

Cigar Bars, Stores Trying For Smoking Ban Exemption - News Story - KIRO Seattle

(Includes video report)

Cigar Association of Washington

[Stoat]

[SlapHappyPappy]

It’s a start.

[Gondring]

Then hookah lounges (shisha bars) are next.

[Stoat]

Also:

Petitioners Seek to Soften Stringent Smoking Ban

Petitioners Seek to Soften Stringent Smoking Ban

SEATTLE, WA--(Marketwire - March 19, 2008) - The nation's most stringent smoking ban may be a bit less stringent if Washington voters say 'yes' to Initiative 1016 on November 8.

To ensure that the Cigar Bar Relief Act of 2008 is on the November ballot, proponents of the measure must gather 225,000 signatures from registered voters by June 30. Petitions are available at most cigar stores, former cigar bars, private clubs like the American Legion and Eagles, and online at www.cigarwa.com, the website of the Cigar Association of Washington.

"Smokers and non-smokers alike should sign our petitions and vote 'yes' on November 8 because we are only asking for the right to allow smoking in relatively few locations without changing the ban elsewhere," says Dale Taylor, a tobacconist with Rain City Cigar in Seattle and president of the Cigar Association of Washington which is coordinating the campaign for the initiative.

The current ban prohibits smoking in all public places including restaurants, bars, bowling alleys and non-tribal casinos.

"A 'yes' vote for Initiative 1016 would allow cigar shops, cigar bars and private clubs like the Veterans of Foreign Wars, as well as service organizations such as the Elks, Lions and others a choice to allow smoking if they so choose without changing the ban elsewhere," says Taylor.

Under the proposed initiative, a cigar bar would be defined as a bar where the serving of food is only incidental and where on-site sales of cigars generate $25,000 or more in annual gross income.

Private facilities -- such as those used by adult service clubs and, for example, the American Legion -- would also be exempted from the ban if they so choose except when they are occasionally open to the public.

"It's important to remember that the initiative does not overturn the existing ban," Taylor emphasized. "We are only seeking to give the choice to allow smoking in relatively few locations such as cigar bars, cigar stores and private clubs. These exemptions exist in most other states and we believe it is reasonable to request voters to allow them in Washington as well."

Taylor is urging all Washington residents who are registered voters to sign the petitions by June 30 to get the measure placed on November's ballot.

"This is the democratic process at work," said Taylor.

[rockrr]

This former smoker would (and will) sign it in a second.

[Gondring]

...would create unintended loopholes in the law. For instance they say a bar might call itself a private club in order to allow patrons to smoke.

Awwww...are the little nanny-staters afraid they won't be able to control our private lives?

[elkfersupper]

For instance they say a bar might call itself a private club in order to allow patrons to smoke.

While they're at it, they might as well create a loophole in order to allow patrons to drink.

[Stoat]

It’s a start

Indeed, but I predict a tough battle.  I recall that the smoking ban passed by a very large margin, and hard-Left and Ultra-PC Western Washington will pull out all the stops to defeat it.  If it were to pass, there would be endless court challenges.

I will sign the petition and do what I can, but it's not going to be an easy fight.

[martin_fierro]

	FReeper Cigar Aficionado
"Never mess with a man willing to suck on a raging trash fire." -- Tijeras_Slim Send FReepmail if you want on/off FCAP list
The List of Ping Lists

[Stoat]

Then hookah lounges (shisha bars) are next.

Perhaps if the islamofascists are busy smoking they won't be agitating ? :-)

[Stoat]

This former smoker would (and will) sign it in a second.

That's because you're a thoughtful person :-)

[Stoat]

...would create unintended loopholes in the law. For instance they say a bar might call itself a private club in order to allow patrons to smoke.

Awwww...are the little nanny-staters afraid they won't be able to control our private lives?

They should be delighted and supportive....they already tax the tobacco and with this they could require expensive new licenses.....

...would create unintended loopholes in the law. For instance they say a bar might call itself a private club in order to allow patrons to smoke.

Awwww...are the little nanny-staters afraid they won't be able to control our private lives?

[AFreeBird]

Ping

[Stoat]

For instance they say a bar might call itself a private club in order to allow patrons to smoke.

While they're at it, they might as well create a loophole in order to allow patrons to drink.

Well, I dunno....let's not get carried away here  :-)

"snicker"

 

For instance they say a bar might call itself a private club in order to allow patrons to smoke.

While they're at it, they might as well create a loophole in order to allow patrons to drink.

[Stoat]

Thanks very much for pinging your list   :-)

 

[HoosierHawk]

!. 8X48?

2. Code Pink?

[Stoat]

!. 8X48?

That looks about right  :-)

Cigar Size, Cigar ring gauge guide

2. Code Pink?
 

LMAO!

I haven't seen any of the withered old crones associated with the Code Pinkos that were anywhere near to being as stylish as this Cuban lady....I'm guessing that she would tell them, in no uncertain terms, to go take a flying leap  :-)

!. 8X48?

That looks about right  :-)

Cigar Size, Cigar ring gauge guide

2. Code Pink?
 

[VanShuyten]

Starting to sound like Kansas when I was young. You had to be a member of the club to get a mixed drink. Most places didn’t charge (or even make you sign), but the better places had a “member’s fee”.

[peeps36]

I don't know why the American people are so willing to let government control so much of their life. If I own a restaurant or bar it should be up to me whether smoking is allowed. It should be none of the government's business.

[verklaring]

So where do we go to sign the initiative?

Would it also include pipes?

[Stoat]

So where do we go to sign the initiative?

I would imagine that any serious cigar store or tobacconist near you would probably have copies of the petition to sign.  If not, you can call or e-mail The Cigar Association of Washington, and they 'should' be able to tell you where in your area you can sign it.

I-1016, Cigar Association of Washington

5963 Corson Ave. S. Suite 130 • Seattle, WA 98108

206-767-2048 PH

206-767-3629 FAX

info@cigarwa.com

***********************************

If you would like to read the petition online and even print out a copy and gather signatures yourself, a PDF copy of the petition is available for download from the CAW website

Cigar Association of Washington

(scroll down to the bottom of the page and doubleclick on the "I-1016 Petition" link, or doubleclick here to get to the petition instantly)

<<<Please be advised that you will need to have (at minimum) the free Adobe Reader installed on your computer to be able to open the .pdf file.  If you don't have it, you can download it here:

Adobe - Adobe Reader download

I'm sure that the Cigar Association of Washington would be delighted if you were to send them a petition with lots of valid signatures on it, including yours  :-)

Would it also include pipes?

Yes.  From the petition's text:

(1) “Smoke” or “smoking” means the

carrying or smoking of any kind of lighted

pipe, cigar, cigarette, or any other lighted

smoking equipment.

 

So where do we go to sign the initiative?

I would imagine that any serious cigar store or tobacconist near you would probably have copies of the petition to sign.  If not, you can call or e-mail The Cigar Association of Washington, and they 'should' be able to tell you where in your area you can sign it.

I-1016, Cigar Association of Washington

5963 Corson Ave. S. Suite 130 • Seattle, WA 98108

206-767-2048 PH

206-767-3629 FAX

info@cigarwa.com

***********************************

If you would like to read the petition online and even print out a copy and gather signatures yourself, a PDF copy of the petition is available for download from the CAW website

Cigar Association of Washington

(scroll down to the bottom of the page and doubleclick on the "I-1016 Petition" link, or doubleclick here to get to the petition instantly)

<<<Please be advised that you will need to have (at minimum) the free Adobe Reader installed on your computer to be able to open the .pdf file.  If you don't have it, you can download it here:

Adobe - Adobe Reader download

I'm sure that the Cigar Association of Washington would be delighted if you were to send them a petition with lots of valid signatures on it, including yours  :-)

Would it also include pipes?

Yes.  From the petition's text:

(1) “Smoke” or “smoking” means the

carrying or smoking of any kind of lighted

pipe, cigar, cigarette, or any other lighted

smoking equipment.

 

[NRA1995]

...would create unintended loopholes in the law. For instance they say a bar might call itself a private club in order to allow patrons to smoke.

What's wrong with that? Then the nonsmokers couldn't come in and do their fake coughing and other silly tactics.

[Gondring]

Uh...that was my point.

[Gondring]

Uh...that was my point.

[RinaseaofDs]

Where do I sign.

Hallelujah!!

[Gabz]

Nanny State PING

[GOP_Lady]

I can’t understand why they couldn’t allow something REASONABLE and not EXTREME in the first place. Utterly ridiculous and STUPID.

[metesky]

Feh! They have a cigar bar down the street near our new slot-machine tourist and sucker trap.

You can't get a drink or smoke a cigarette there and the cigar snots are obnoxious anyway.

[Lexinom]

Backers of the indoor smoking ban are concerned the initiative would create unintended loopholes in the law.

Oh my! Wouldn't want that! Smoke, the horror, the horror!

[VermiciousKnid]

Hooka lounges are popping up left and right on Long Island, and I’ve seen several in NJ, too.

Regards,

[Gondring]

Hooka lounges are popping up left and right on Long Island,

Don't let Eliot Spitzer overhear that! ;-)

[Stoat]

Where do I sign.

Please see post #22  :-)

Hallelujah!!

Indeed!  It's going to be a long, tough fight though. 

Where do I sign.

Please see post #22  :-)

Hallelujah!!

[Stoat]

Thank you very much for pinging your list  :-)

[Stoat]

I can’t understand why they couldn’t allow something REASONABLE and not EXTREME in the first place. Utterly ridiculous and STUPID.

Well, there are a number of reasons why why call this The People's Republic of Washington, and this is one of them.

"sigh"

 

[Stoat]

Backers of the indoor smoking ban are concerned the initiative would create unintended loopholes in the law.

Oh my! Wouldn't want that! Smoke, the horror, the horror!
 

The way that the hysterical anti-smoking zealots around here act, you'd think that people who smoke are intentionally trying to kill them. 

I have come to view smoking, and particularly the smoking of magnificently large cigars or pipes, as being as much or more of a 'statement' as when the innumerable greasy and unwashed commies wear their "Che!" T-shirts.  If I'm in a particularly moody disposition, I light up a stogie and walk down the street.  I'm not breaking any laws (yet) but the expressions of utter rage and disgust on the faces of the Seattle Left are just priceless  :-)

Backers of the indoor smoking ban are concerned the initiative would create unintended loopholes in the law.

Oh my! Wouldn't want that! Smoke, the horror, the horror!
 

[Stoat]

Feh!

 

[GOP_Lady]

We have the same thing here in Ohio of all places. It’s totally ridiculous. I’m counting down the weeks (7) until hubby and are in Vegas, where hubby can enjoy a cigar with his adult beverage (oh, the horror)! Nazis.

[Stoat]

I've never visited The Sagebrush State but you've identified one of probably many reasons to.  I'm not a gambler but it would be nice to be able to relax awhile among reasonable people for a change, and I understand that the scenery in many areas is spectacular.  I hope that you and your husband will have a very enjoyable vacation  :-)

[Gabz]

You’re quite welcome. Don’t ever hesitate to ask, no guarantee when I’ll see it, but when I do I am more than happy to oblige!!!

[Stoat]

You’re quite welcome. Don’t ever hesitate to ask, no guarantee when I’ll see it, but when I do I am more than happy to oblige!!!

Awwww....you're so sweet, thank you! 

Here's a nice piece of cheesecake for you  :-)

 

 

[Gabz]

YUMMY!!!!!!!

You found my weakness (well except for chocolate)

[Stoat]

 

"snicker"

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!