CIG BAN LETS BARS OFF THE HOOKAH

New York Post ^ | 3/01/04 | STEPHANIE GASKELL and HEIDI SINGER

[kattracks]

The city isn't enforcing the smoking ban against Middle Eastern hookah bars - even though they don't qualify for an exemption under the new law, The Post has learned.

The city has only a handful of hookah bars, a Middle Eastern version of cigar bars where patrons smoke fruit-flavored tobacco called shisha. Many of them have been ticketed for allowing illegal puffing since the city's tough anti-smoking laws went into effect March 30.

[blueyes]

Now if all the coffee and tea houses started providing hookahs, would the law cease to harrass them?

[kattracks]

ping

[HiTech RedNeck]

Re-freaking-diculous. If a place is set up for the express purpose of smoking, why the world would one ever expect it to be nonsmoker-friendly.

[JosephW]

I agree with you; however, the law should be equally enforced. There was a juice bar that had been effectively shut down and no consideration was given to it. It was primarily solicited by former alcoholics that like a bar atmosphere but don't drink alcohol any longer.

Smoking was banned in it and I'm not sure of it's fate. The city made a mistake with the juice bar and now it makes another by not equally enforcing the law. The only reason I can see for this is that Islam can do no wrong and we must be tolerant and understanding of Mad MO's Orcs.

[YOMO]

Cigar bars can allow smoking if they earn at least 10 percent of their revenue from the sale of tobacco.....
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Interesting observation. What if a "Cigar" bar sold cigarettes similar to a Cigarette discount shop and exceeded the 10 percent quoted? Would they be authorized to permit smoking in their establishment? Just asking.

[Cacique]

There are a whole bunch of them in Bayridge on the border with Sunset Park. They are also a place where they meet and promote Islamo Fascism. Keeping them open may be a good way to keep an eye on these people. Hopefully the FBI has these places bugged and under surveilance just like they do to all the italian coffeshops on 18th avenue in Bensonhurst where all the mob types hang out.

[Wolfie]

Isn't Tommy Chong in jail for selling these?

[hellinahandcart]

Okay, who else doesn't believe it's "fruit-flavored tobacco" they're smoking in there?

I went to college in the seventies, I know what goes into a hookah...

[bc2]

I am going to post some other info to this thread in a second, but I want to let you know that not everyone who smokes hookas is Muslim. I am friends with a bunch of Lebanese Christians who smoke hookas all the time. I also have Christian friends from Egypt who gave my dad a traditional hookah for Christmas a few years ago.

just FYI! :-)

[bc2]

Hey I want to let you know that there is a place here in Rochester that in protest against the smoking ban, has let people smoke in their establishment once all of the dinner patrons have left.

In addition to cigarettes they are also letting people smoke marijuana at the bar! So far they've been busted for tobacco violations twice, but I don't think word has gotten out to the authorities about the pot smoking.

This stupid statewide smoking ban is a ridiculous assault on property rights, freedom of association, and general liberty! Something has got to give!
Smoking pot at the bar! Stick THAT in your hookas and smoke it, Socialist Gov Pataki and Nazi Health Dept. goons!

[Indie]

It's about time we allowed cannabis bars as well.

[Trailerpark Badass]

Interesting observation. What if a "Cigar" bar sold cigarettes similar to a Cigarette discount shop and exceeded the 10 percent quoted? Would they be authorized to permit smoking in their establishment? Just asking.

What if regular bars sold $1 drinks that included a small packet of tobacco valued at $3.50, for a total of $4.50?

[Gabz]

The Delaware smoking ban specifically states "tobacco" (as I believe do most, if not all, the other ones).

One enterprising bar owner has stopped selling tobacco cigarettes in his establishment and only sells herbal cigarettes. He has now twice beaten fines for ban violations.

The RINO that pushed the ban through the state House has said she will be looking into it, in order to make changes to include the herbals.

I look forward to them openning up that can of worms.........The law was based on the erroneous meta-analysis of the EPA on tobacco smoke, not on anything else.......

[templar]

You mean people actually smoke tobaco in those things?

[NYCVirago]

What a crock. It's still tobacco, it's still the eeeevil second-hand smoke involved, and it's still violating the anti-smoking laws. But because the people smoking are a protected group, it's okay.

[nobody_knows]

"Okay, who else doesn't believe it's "fruit-flavored tobacco" they're smoking in there?

You mean they smoke something else? I CAN'T believe it! LOL

[SheLion]

Thanks for the ping!!

I've never HEARD of a hooka. What's a hooka????

[SheLion]

Thanks for the ping!!

I've never HEARD of a hooka. What's a hooka????

[MeekOneGOP]

I've never HEARD of a hooka. What's a hooka????

You've lead a sheltered life, right ?? ;^)