The Death of Cigar Smoking here?

[Monk]

Hi All,

So I thought I would post about something that has been bothering me for awhile and here seems like the perfect place rant a bit to let off steam and hopefully to find a support group .

First, allow me to give some background on myself. I'm 32 and would generally classify myself as a "non-smoker". I like a fine cigar or occasional pipe so in terms of smoking I don't smoke regularly, or chemical crap in cigarettes . I like the finer things in life like having a martini in a classy lounge and puffing on a cigar while my worries and stress melt away while strains of Jazz drift and mingle with the smoke...

Now here is my problem... In June or July of this year all (and I mean all) public smoking will be banned. Currently smoking in private clubs or areas with seperately ventilated smoking areas is allowed. This includes places with seperate ventilation and even private clubs/cigar lounges. This bugs me. I can understand banning smoking in restaurants and a lot of other areas (After living in 4.5 years in Germany I am happy to have clothes smell fresh again) but this seems like the death of years of class, ritual and tradition that surrounds the art of smoking a cigar. I'm not sure really how to deal with it actually.... I was happy to hear my wife say it would be o.k. to occasionally smoke a cigar at home (provided I ventilate.. our cat is asthmatic) so at least I have a chance somewhere... but it isn't very social :).

So... what do you guys think... how would you handle it? (Whats the point in having access to Cuban cigars if there is nowhere to smoke em? ;))

Cheers, Will

[Kenyth]

Don't feel bad. It's happening everywhere it seems. The villianization of tobacco in all it's forms. Because ther are those who find it necessary to inhale the smoke from a pack or two of cigarretes a day and suffer from lung disease and increase the insurance rates, the rest of mankind must suffer. It's completely unfair to establishments that cater to cigar smoking and those who frequent them. To those that would argue. Behind every case of tobacco induced lung disease is a "pack a day plus" habit in my experience.

Cigars are ever biased against even without these laws. Even in places that allow smoking them, lighting a cigar will get you some looks. In certain places, cigar and pipe smoking are forbidden while cigarettes are allowed. If that tells you something.

[Shagaroo]

Other than my local B&M there was only 1 other place that allowed cigars and/or pipes. Everywhere else, within a 2 hour drive had big, professionally made signs that stated NO CIGARS OR PIPES. I am so sick of whiny cigarette smokers that I am actually getting some sort of sick pleasure from their wheeping and nashing of teeth after these no-smoking laws go into effect. As long I can smoke in my home, in my yard and on my boat, I am surviving.

[hex1848]

Here in Florida they allow smoking in places that make the majority of profits from alcohol or tobacco. That being said, most of the bar's do not allow cigar smoking. I've stopped going to a couple of places just because I can't light up my cigar. I can only think of two bars in town that allow cigar smoking. Some restaurants have outdoor decks/patios where you can smoke. The best places to go smoke seem to be the local pool halls. I must say I do enjoy a nice cigar over a game of 8-ball.

I always get weird looks when I light up a stogie, the other night at the pool hall I heard someone say there he is and a group of people turned around and stared at me (I thought I was famous for a second, till my hippie buddy told me it was the cigar).

The way I see it, I have to put up with f'n cigarette smokers, they can f' off and deal with my cigars. (God I detest the smell of cigarette smoke, I really, really hate it).

[ggiese]

Cigars are ever biased against even without these laws. Even in places that allow smoking them, lighting a cigar will get you some looks. In certain places, cigar and pipe smoking are forbidden while cigarettes are allowed. If that tells you something.

Exactly!!! Really pisses me off!!! There's a bar near me that used to allow cigar smoking, but has since banned it. The place is thick with cigarette smoke and they are offended when you light up a cigar???

I don't understand it because cigar smoke smells so much better than any cigarette smoke I've ever smelled. Maybe I'm biased....

Naaaahhhhhh!!!

[illilli]

With the trend going away from "public" private clubs and public bars allowing cigar smoking, the only thing left for us will be to start creating local cigar clubs where we go to someone's house to enjoy a cigar. In the long run, it will be cheaper than going to a bar. I already have a couple of friends that I get together with where we enjoy a good smoke and fine beverage (and usually play poker or throw darts or something). I'm ready to start thumbing my nose at public bars anyway due to the huge recent increase in prices. I paid $6.50 for a beer the other day and a guy I was with said, "Man, these guys have great prices!" YEAH, RIGHT!

Disclaimer: I live in the Washington, DC area which is expensive. Not as expensive as New York City, but still expensive.

[Perfesser]

Don't feel bad. It's happening everywhere it seems. The villianization of tobacco in all it's forms. Because ther are those who find it necessary to inhale the smoke from a pack or two of cigarretes a day and suffer from lung disease and increase the insurance rates, the rest of mankind must suffer.

Yes, but the groups that put all of this into play don't have the ba!!s or the internal honestly to put laws into place to make this "addictive" and "carcinogenic" substance illegal.

After all, it's hard to collect all that tax money if nobody buys the product.

[BunkyX]

Yeah the anti smoking ban is a real bummer for the most part. When they banned it here in Florida I literally quit taking my lady out to eat. There are a few places that have outside dining but unless it is a really cool location (overlooking the water usually) or they have exceptional food I don't go to them either. Most of the bars I go to are considered redneck or biker bars so there is no problem there. If they have a tiki bar I usually go outside to it just to breath and enjoy a cigar. The only problem I've ever had is one chick who made a fuss about the smell of my cigar and I told her it would not smell so bad if I wasn't burning the rank of her perfume when I drew on it.
It is a shame that a minority (cigar smokers) can be singled out legally but they can't legally single out any other minority (ethnic or disability). I have friends I don't see unless it is in public because they can't smoke at home for no reason other than their lady doesn't and that frosts my ass. Another thing that gets me is that I can't smoke my cigar while I work in a new house (I am an electrician) but everybody smokes their damn cigarettes. Go Figure! Any way it sucks but what you going to do? Not smoking in my own home is another episode all together.

[SuperChuck]

I don't understand it because cigar smoke smells so much better than any cigarette smoke I've ever smelled. Maybe I'm biased....

When I was a wee lad, I remember seeing a sign at the mall that said "no cigar or pipe smoking". I didn't understand. Cigars and pipes have always smelled good to me and cigarettes have (almost) always smelled awful...

[Bubba -NJ]

Sometimes I'm able to smoke at work (when I'm on 3rd shift or 2nd shift) , during 1st shift it is much harder to get away with it , I work in a non-smoking building that has a Cigar Bar in it that is only open on certain days from about 6 p.m. to about 10 p.m. However , I can get into the cigar bar during 1st shift and light up during lunch break , I'm waiting for someone to tell me I can't smoke in the cigar bar (sounds ridiculous)but I know it's coming , with all these crazy non-smoking laws . I don't get much time at home to enjoy a cigar because I love being with my kids and Wife , when they go to bed during the summer , I stay up late and smoke on the front porch . I've got to get a house with an attached garage that stays at a somewhat decent temperature during the winter months . I've never been a bar person but if there is a "Cigar Bar" close enough to me I might start visiting once in a while . I live in New Jersey , the land of crooked , lieing , politicians . If you have the money in NJ , you can have the laws written the way you want them . Leave the smoking choice up to the Bar and Restaurant owners , general public place bans like malls , fast food , movie theaters and retail stores are fine with me but leave the Bars and Restaurants to decide for themselves .

[thepyrofish]

Here in Alberta, a law was jsut passed that forbids smoking in any public place where minors are allowed to be present. This law means nothing to me becasue the city I live in has had the very same law in place as a bylaw for a couple years. Smoking is permitted in most bars here, but unfortunately I too have to fight to light up a cigar in them. One place we made sure we asked first...the hostess idn;t see why it would be a problem. We asked her to doublecheck with a manager, who said it was fine. A thirs of the way through my smoke (a third at the most) We were told that they were recieving complaints and we would have to put them out. We argued, and convinced them to turn on the ceiling fans and let us be. This lasted for another 20 minutes before the owner had to come ask us again to extinguish. I haven't been back to that lounge since.

[Kenyth]

You know, I think I'm a pretty reasonable guy. I support no smoking in family restaurants or places where children are allowed. I can even support no smoking in the house because of children.

When they want to ban smoking in bars, adult restaurants, clubs, smoking lounges, tobacco stores, etc. Things have gone way too far. This has long ceased having anything to do with non-smokers rights and turned into a witch hunt.

Our "land of the free, home of the brave" is rapidly turning into "land of the kinda-sorta-free, home of the politically correct"

[cigar no baka]

If this anti-smoking nonsense ever comes to my area, I am going to start recruiting for my Smokers rights club. Our main activity will be to attend every city council meeting and all light up every time to bring the media screaming down on these Nazis.

I'm not going to fight for smoking everywhere anytime. But bars, cigar shops, and other places where adults are the only patrons, they need to let the retailer decide and not force more nanny-state shit down our throats.

[prophetic_joe]

Our "land of the free, home of the brave" is rapidly turning into "land of the kinda-sorta-free, home of the politically correct"

Damn you read my mind. Put that perfectly. I agree with some anti-smoking laws myself but non-smoking bars is just stupid, I must have been sick the day our brains were removed from are heads and thus took away the ability to decide for ourselves if we wanted the places we go or the places we own to allow smoking. The way I see it a bar is private property. If I buy a bar I own it so it would make sense for me to be allowed to say what goes on in it. I was at the bar last night with some work buddies and we had four of us just sitting around smoking cigars, it'll be a real shame when experiences like that are no longer allowed.

[slcraiders]

Utah is another non-smoker-friendly state. We can only smoke in private clubs and they are currently moving in the direction to outlaw that as well. There is a law against smoking in tobacco shops. Hell, I get dirty looks from people when I cross the border into Nevada and smoke a cigar in a casino as if I am am being a nusaince to their gambling experience or something. To me, smoking a cigar is part of that experience. What goes better with a drink and a game of cards? I know that the casino bit is off-subject, but I am just venting. Arggggghhhhh

[MadAl]

We've been "smoke-free" for a few years now. It sucks, especially in the winter months. I don't smoke in the house, so I look forward to the all to few warm winter days, and meeting with friends at smoking lounges. Hopefully the tide will turn and all this foolishness will be dealt with logically.

[drew_goring]

We've been "smoke-free" for a few years now. It sucks, especially in the winter months. I don't smoke in the house, so I look forward to the all to few warm winter days, and meeting with friends at smoking lounges. Hopefully the tide will turn and all this foolishness will be dealt with logically.

Yes, up here in Edmonton, smoking is banned in all public places. There was a bar owner that resorted to parking a school bus outside of his bar to give his smoking customers a warm place to smoke.

[Monk]

Well I feel better..... to a degree. that is. Its nice to see that so many are of the same mind, not that I am surprised...

I guess the difficult thing with me is smoking at home isn't much of an option during non-good weather months since one of my cats has terrible asthma. The restriction of not having a lounge or something to go to will really make the non-summer months difficult...

-W.

[NullSmurf]

I found one here in Denver that seems to be best of all worlds - except that I'm not into that kind of Jazz. The owner designed and built the establishment around his love of cigars, but the actual bar is smoke free. There is a well laid out in a rectangular shape with a cigar shop on one end, a HERF loung in the middle, and a bar on the other end. Check out the web page: http://www.therobustoroom.com/

[porschesales225]

Louisiana doesnt have any bar bans but i was at this bar and the bartender told me i cant smoke my cigar in there. after pointing out the 9 packs of cowboy killers that were being smoked all i once i asked how it is that they could discriminate against me.......
The owner stopped by and asked what the problem was so i explained that there is no way for them to decide that my 1 cigar is any different from the 75-150 cigarrettes being smoked at any given time in the foggy joint. he apologized for his bartender bought me a beer and told me not to worry about the *uss*s in the bar. MY kinda guy.

*legally is a strong word so i removed it*