Plan would bring back cigar lounges, but with a twist: They could only hire smokers

[El Presidente]

Plan would bring back cigar lounges, but with a twist: They could only hire smokers

 

BY MELISSA SANTOS

Cigar aficionados are continuing their fight to allow cigar lounges in Washington state.

But this year, to get around concerns that the lounges would expose workers to secondhand smoke, they’re proposing something new: Cigar lounges could only hire smokers as employees.

..continued 

http://www.theolympian.com/news/politics-government/article131885249.html

 

[AlohaStyle]

If this Bill passes, business owners who want a lounge will love it.  Until they get sued for discrimination when a non-smoker doesn't get hired.     lol

[garbandz]

they would have to sue the state since smoking is a precondition to eligibility.

 

right on...........

[oliverdst]

1 hour ago, AlohaStyle said:

If this Bill passes, business owners who want a lounge will love it.  Until they get sued for discrimination when a non-smoker doesn't get hired.     lol

And for smokers that now are trying to stop but "it's Impossible working in that place".

[ThePolskiOgorki]

I live in Ontario Canada. I have often wondered why lounges could not exist in this way. A place that people who want to smoke can go and those who don't can avoid. I actually am for no smoking in bars, restaraunts etc. Even when I smoked cigarettes and it was made law I thought it was a good thing, but to ban it outright is ridiculous. 

[AlohaStyle]

But cigar smoking is bad for you... says the State of Washington that made it legal to smoke marijuana. 

 

There was a really cool annual Seattle Cigar Expo where the event was literally next door to the Space Needle.  We used a building for vendors/booths and had a really nice sectioned off outdoor area to smoke and relax.  The City of Seattle made a 5 year deal with the organizers.  The annual event lasted 1 year.  It was the same weekend of Hempfest which draws thousands of marijuana smokers walking around the waterfront in public.  The City loves Hempfest and it's been going on for years.

 

I got nothing against marijuana, but the hypocrisy is thick in Washington!

[Lotusguy]

That's how the Occidental in San Francisco stays in business (all workers are partners in the venture)

[polarbear]

I've always wondered why a lounge couldn't just ask their employees to sign a waver before starting the job and (possibly) pay them a higher rate of pay in order to compensate them for working in a "Hazardous Environment"

I've not been in that many US cigar lounges but I've always wonder what the ratio of Cigar Smokers v Non Smokers are employed in the sector
Assuming the lounge allows their employees to smoke on the job, I imagine there isn't a cigar smoker among us who hasn't dreamed of one day working in a lounge during our later years

[NSXCIGAR]

Well, I guess this is better than nothing. How are they going to determine if someone is a smoker? I guess it'll just be a honor system, which is pretty pointless. If someone wants the job, they'll say whatever they need to to get it. Another ridiculous attempt by the government to do anything.

It amazes me that no one raises a hand to object to the basis for any of this after second hand smoke was deemed essentially harmless a few years ago. The politicians continue to espouse falsehoods with the media not doing their job and pointing these things out. All the recent data shows that second hand or passive smoke's harm is nothing more than a myth that no one seems to challenge or even be aware of. 

The idea that second hand smoke was potentially harmful sure caused shockwaves in society but the revelation that it likely isn't is barely spoken about.

[MrGTO]

Most bars that allowed smoking were thick with cigarette smoke and smelled the same even before the happy hour crew got there. The few cigar lounges that I've been to have been very well ventilated with all wood and tile interiors. The lounges usually smelled of tobacco when empty not a well used ash tray. If I were a bartender I would much rather work in a cigar lounge. 

I have since stopped going to bars and enjoy my cigars in my back yard but it would be nice to go to a nice restaurant and have a great dinner out with the wife and finish the night off with a cigar an drink. 

Ive discussed this with my wife and she agrees if a place like this near us existed it would make a fortune. 

 

 

[Hayden]

36 minutes ago, NSXCIGAR said:

Well, I guess this is better than nothing. How are they going to determine if someone is a smoker? I guess it'll just be a honor system, which is pretty pointless. If someone wants the job, they'll say whatever they need to to get it. Another ridiculous attempt by the government to do anything.

It amazes me that no one raises a hand to object to the basis for any of this after second hand smoke was deemed essentially harmless a few years ago. The politicians continue to espouse falsehoods with the media not doing their job and pointing these things out. All the recent data shows that second hand or passive smoke's harm is nothing more than a myth that no one seems to challenge or even be aware of. 

The idea that second hand smoke was potentially harmful sure caused shockwaves in society but the revelation that it likely isn't is barely spoken about.

Can you link me the science that shows second hand smoke is harmless?

[NSXCIGAR]

1 hour ago, Hayden said:

Can you link me the science that shows second hand smoke is harmless?

Absolutely. The sources are mentioned in this thread:

 

[Hayden]

2 minutes ago, NSXCIGAR said:

Absolutely. The sources are mentioned in this thread:

 

Thanks, I'll have to take a read through. I personally believe that the default of establishments should be no smoking because I see how it is an irritant to some. It even bothers myself sometimes. There should totally be provisions to allow it in certain places though. Cigar Lounges should be an obvious place where it should be allowed. Maybe have something similar to a liquor licence and have provisions for proper ventilation etc. Thankfully my city has a few grandfathered in lounges. 

[NSXCIGAR]

56 minutes ago, Hayden said:

Thanks, I'll have to take a read through. I personally believe that the default of establishments should be no smoking because I see how it is an irritant to some. It even bothers myself sometimes. There should totally be provisions to allow it in certain places though. Cigar Lounges should be an obvious place where it should be allowed. Maybe have something similar to a liquor licence and have provisions for proper ventilation etc. Thankfully my city has a few grandfathered in lounges. 

I agree fully that it is an irritant, and the data does seem to indicate that passive smoke can exacerbate existing asthma and other existing lung or sinus conditions. However, as you'll read, the data does not show any statistically significant link between passive smoke and the emergence of any disease, including cancer. This was the most thorough and complete study ever undertaken on the subject and was conducted by respected, experienced researchers using impeccable methodology.

The fallback position, of course, is that no one is under any obligation to patronize these establishments. Businesses are ostensibly private and operate on private property, and those who are proponents of free markets and individual freedom dislike the government telling anyone what they can and can't do with or on their property. If the business is causing harm or operating irresponsibly, they will be unlikely to retain customers in an environment of open competition.

[BuzzArd]

3 hours ago, Hayden said:

Can you link me the science that shows second hand smoke is harmless?

Pwrsonally, I think "third hand smoke"

is the real problem.  I mean, entering a building where at one point in history someone smoked a cigarette or cigar terrifies me.  And (Heaven forbid) should someone actually hug me and drop like a stone I'm not sure I could live with myself.  

Actually, since I don't hug myself I'll probably be fine...

https://www.google.com/amp/relay.nationalgeographic.com/proxy/distribution/public/amp/news/2014/03/140320-thirdhand-smoke-cigarettes-cancer

[RijkdeGooier]

6 hours ago, polarbear said:

I've always wondered why a lounge couldn't just ask their employees to sign a waver before starting the job and (possibly) pay them a higher rate of pay in order to compensate them for working in a "Hazardous Environment"

I've not been in that many US cigar lounges but I've always wonder what the ratio of Cigar Smokers v Non Smokers are employed in the sector
Assuming the lounge allows their employees to smoke on the job, I imagine there isn't a cigar smoker among us who hasn't dreamed of one day working in a lounge during our later years

The problem will always be that there are concieveable situations in which the employee could feel obliged to suffer the smoke although he/she doesn't want to.Example a smoker employee gets pregnant - then what?

Making all 'personel' a partner in the business is the only way forward. As owners they are free to allow smoking. That's how it is done at my local.

[Akela3rd]

Pwrsonally, I think "third hand smoke"

is the real problem.  I mean, entering a building where at one point in history someone smoked a cigarette or cigar terrifies me.  And (Heaven forbid) should someone actually hug me and drop like a stone I'm not sure I could live with myself.  

Actually, since I don't hug myself I'll probably be fine...

https://www.google.com/amp/relay.nationalgeographic.com/proxy/distribution/public/amp/news/2014/03/140320-thirdhand-smoke-cigarettes-cancer

As this thread mentions passive, second and now third hand smoke I'm going to sue HTC for allowing me to be exposed to fourth hand smoke on my mobile whilst reading about it.

Thunder & Lightening '75-'15

[Dave O)))]

Pwrsonally, I think "third hand smoke"

is the real problem.  I mean, entering a building where at one point in history someone smoked a cigarette or cigar terrifies me.  And (Heaven forbid) should someone actually hug me and drop like a stone I'm not sure I could live with myself.  

Actually, since I don't hug myself I'll probably be fine...

https://www.google.com/amp/relay.nationalgeographic.com/proxy/distribution/public/amp/news/2014/03/140320-thirdhand-smoke-cigarettes-cancer

My wife has asked me if the odour of cigars smoked in my car will harm our children. My mind boggles.