Cigar Sellers argue for a smoking ban exemption

the Scotsman ^ | May 08 2005 | Wiliam Lyons

[WoofDog123]

Cigar sellers argue for a smoking ban exemption

WILLIAM LYONS wlyons@scotlandonsunday.com

SCOTLAND’S independent cigar merchants have written to Health Minister Andy Kerr in a last-minute bid to have their shops exempted from the impending ban on smoking in public places.

The letter, signed by Phillip Shervington, the chairman of the Association of Independent Tobacco Specialists, argues that it is essential for their business that clients are able to taste their products before buying.

There are only 18 specialist tobacco shops in Scotland and it is hoped the small number can persuade the health minister to grant an exemption.

The letter reads: "It is essential for the conduct of their business that these outlets, their consenting staff and customers on the premises should be able to taste products in order to assess their quality and flavour."

Simon Chase, of cigar importers Hunters and Frankau, said: "Specialist tobacconists are more like wine merchants than corner shops selling cigarettes. When you sell hand-made cigars you have to understand their taste and judge their quality, so testing them is an essential part of the business."

A spokesman for the Scottish Executive said: "Those premises would be caught by the legislation because they are places of employment. Obviously the minister will respond once he has considered the points put to him by the retailers."

[WoofDog123]

The smoking ban's being extended to include licensed premises is an overt effort to kill the pub and bar trade, and indirectly will harm the scottish breweries who sell most of their cask ale in scotland (a number of the smaller ones are almost all cask ale).

Obviously the premium cigar shops might as well shut their doors, this will come off their top line as well.

I am sure there are some on FR who support such bans, but if such a ban makes your local joint go into the red and eventually shut, what is gained? Maybe a Weatherspoons will open in place of it...

Presumably England will follow suit at some point, as they tout 'statistics' that pub trade has actually increased, yada yada yada.

[1FASTGLOCK45]

I'm in favor of smoking ban, but i can see where there can be exemptions, hopefully they get a break.

[WoofDog123]

As far as I can tell, the SP has taken the approach of simply not compromising with the pub trade, despite the fact this is going to hurt them badly. Unlike some places with smoking bans (e.g. florida), outdoor areas are non-existent in almost all non-rural pubs and impractical in any event most of the year.

[mirkwood]

"If smoking cigars is not permitted in heaven, I won't go" - Mark Twain

[PzGr43]

Not an easy one to call. The smoking ban in Ireland was a boon for lecherous old geezers because when they bobbed out for a smoke they could meet lots of foxy chicks doing the same thing and give them chat without being told they were lecherous old geezers.

[WoofDog123]

I have read similar things; I am not sure if it is just a small propaganda thing trotted out by the press to avoid the question of if or how much pub revenues were hurt. I know many pubs in scotland are a very high % of male clientele. Single girls seem to go to bars or clubs more than pubs, though of course all are impacted by this law.

Do you know what the impact on pub revenues was from the ban in ireland?

It seems clear that the establishment has decided both in europe and the US that bars will NOT be given any exemptions to these laws, no matter what. I guess it is just a matter of time until many political entities adopt "no outside public smoking" laws. In europe I wouldn't be shocked to see 'smoker registration' for those countries which haven't already done so quietly.

[PzGr43]

>Do you know what the impact on pub revenues was from the >ban in ireland?
>

No clue. The lecherous old geezer was being interviewed. I doubt the official PR has anything except a health angle in it.

Didn't the entire town of San Luis Obispo make itself a no-smoking area a while back ?

[Ditter]

It has been 10 years since I have been to Europe and on that trip only to Spain. As I recall the smoke in Spanish restaurants was so thick I ate most of my meals outside. I doubt if Spain is ready to go along if Europe wants smoking bans.

[WoofDog123]

" Didn't the entire town of San Luis Obispo make itself a no-smoking area a while back ?"

I recall hearing some town somewhere did this, don't recall where. I am now waiting to see which country first introduces a ban on smoking at home.