Boston Health Board May Stamp Out Cigar Bars

The Boston Herald ^ | December 9, 2008 | Christine McConville

[warsaw44]

Boston health board may stamp out cigar bars By Christine McConville Tuesday, December 9, 2008 - Added 3h ago

E-mail Printable (25) Comments Text size Share (3) Rate In the cozy confines of a former speakeasy in Boston’s North End, men and women gather nightly to sip cognac and savor a cigar.

But these days, Stanza dei Sigari, the cigar lovers’ respite on Hanover Street, isn’t so relaxed.

On Thursday, the Boston Public Health Commission will vote on a tough smoking ban that could put this cigar bar, and others like it, out of business.

“I think it’s kind of unconstitutional, telling people not to smoke in a controlled environment,” said Linda Riccio, one of the owners of the dark-paneled saloon.

“Where will it end?” she asked. “Are they going to tell people they can’t smoke on the streets?”

The city’s health officials may expand Boston’s ban on workplace smoking by prohibiting smoking in cigar and hookah bars, on restaurant patios and loading docks.

The proposed rules seek to ban tobacco sales on college campuses and in drug stores, too.

While critics say the move goes too far, Roger Swartz, director of the health commission’s community initiatives bureau, said the new rules are intended to protect people from the ills of tobacco, in all its forms.

The proposal has sparked an outcry among cigar aficionados.

Since September, when the health commission gave preliminary approval to the new regulations, the commission has received hundreds of complaints.

Most are protesting the proposed smoking ban in cigar bars, health commission spokeswoman Ann Scales said.

To Riccio and other supporters, this ban would unnecessarily limit a beloved adult activity.

Riccio’s clients include businessmen, doctors and guys from the neighborhood.

“They come here to smoke, and they know what they are doing,” she said.

[warsaw44]

The state is a mess and going broke and this somehow helps the situation?
I’ve heard these cigar bars in Boston each roughly pay about 300,000.00 a year in state taxes. So, lets toss out their tax revenue and put these people out of work. madness.

[EyeGuy]

““Where will it end?” she asked. “Are they going to tell people they can’t smoke on the streets?” “

#####

Isn’t that already what the nanny, wet nurse King Bloomberg is trying to inflict on Manhattan?

Blue state voters put these talentless, anti-production bureaucrats into office. Forget the streets, they are after outlawing it in your own home.

[Sacajaweau]

This smoking thing is nothing but legal prohibition...with a heavy tax scheme attached.

[trisham]

Interesting place:

http://www.stanzadeisigari.com/

[weegee]

The proposed rules seek to ban tobacco sales on college campuses and in drug stores, too.

If only they took the same concern about the use of cocaine, pot, LSD, ecstasy, etc. on college campuses.

[weegee]

The Old Money crowd won’t be affected by this turn. They have their own private clubs.

[ClearCase_guy]

I know it's not in the Constitution, just the Declaration of Independence (and who the heck cares about that old thing?) but the notion of "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness" used to have some value for Americans.

For some, the pursuit of happiness may be opening up a small business (perhaps a cigar bar) and making a living doing what you love. For others, the pursuit of happiness may be visiting a small business (perhaps a cigar bar) and spending time with friends doing what you love.

Here in America, we frown on that sort of behavior. The New Puritans are stamping out your pursuit of happiness.

[warsaw44]

Its just insanity. How the city can close any profitable business selling a legal product is beyond comprehension.

[FrankR]

If da pres’dint kin smoke, so kin the rest of us.

[warsaw44]

Da Mayor of this fine city is also a cigar smoker.

[Travis T. OJustice]

This ain’t your granddaddy’s America.

[ml/nj]

"These are the times that try men's souls." (Did Winston Churchill say that?!)

ML/NJ

[SJSAMPLE]

Another pathetic extension of the misguided WO(S)D.

I’m ashamed I ever thought the WO(S)D, but those days ended 15 years ago.

“They” know they can put their greasy little mitts into every aspect of your life, and they’re just dying to prove it.

[AbeKrieger]

Amazing, in a state where they legalize and honor unions that are so risky even the Red Cross tells you they no longer want your blood. Sickening.

[SJSAMPLE]

While critics say the move goes too far, Roger Swartz, director of the health commission’s community initiatives bureau, said the new rules are intended to protect people from the ills of tobacco, in all its forms.

This guy needs his ass kicked.
And a cigar put out in the middle of his forehead.

"I have Illinois Boston Nazis."

[Osage Orange]

In honor of this stupid law...I think I will order some Cu*Avana's...

http://www.cigarsinternational.com/prodDisp.asp?item=CS-3EA&cat=128

[Reeses]

the new rules are intended to protect people from the ills of tobacco, in all its forms.

Small problem: statistically men who smoke cigars and pipes live slightly longer than men who don't. Cigars aren't healthy but neither is drinking Coca-cola. The smoking Nazi's are socialist control freaks.

[Old Professer]

No, it’s more than that, it is practice for the controlled, sustainable political and social population required by the new age of cooperation - a place where the planet and its platonic participants live peacefully.

Free from the ravages of want and above the need for greed - Paradise, at last.

[flowerplough]

“Where will it end?” she asked. “Are they going to tell people they can’t smoke on the streets?”

One of the strictest tobacco bans in the nation went into effect in the Los Angeles suburb of Calabasas last week, making smoking off limits in public places where someone else might be exposed to secondhand smoke: indoor businesses, outdoor businesses, parks, outdoor cafes, even apartment building common areas.

"We just don't want anyone blowing smoke in someone's face. Unfortunately, what smokers do is harmful to everybody else. People should have the right to breathe clean air," said Mayor Pro Tem Dennis Washburn.

California air-quality regulators declared secondhand smoke a toxic air pollutant earlier this year.

The city took it a step farther, declaring secondhand smoke to be a public nuisance and approving an ordinance banning smoking in all public places — indoors and out — where people might congregate.

Hotels can still allow smoking in up to 20 percent of their rooms, and smoking can be allowed in approved designated areas at shopping malls and work places in the upscale city of 23,000 residents.

But if a nonsmoker asks a smoker to stop, the smoker must snuff it or face a possible fine in the hundreds of dollars or even a lawsuit."

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,188360,00.html