Non Smoking Cigar Bars? Only in America

CO, in the midst of an anti-smoking fury, will now make it illegal to smoke in cigar bars. See there are three kinds of poor ideas, misguided, dumb, and radically stupid. This ban falls into the "radically stupid" category. While I've written before on smoking bans (one, two, three), I couldn't let this pass.

"Cigar Bar" folks, the name says it all. If you don't want to be around smokers, it's hard to imagine a better warning label than "This is a cigar bar." I also have a hard time imagining that non-smokers (like me) feel like their favorite cigar bar is being ruined by the smokers.

Yes, the article says that some bars will try to abuse the exemption. But look, if you're doing $50,000 in tobacco revenue, or even 5% of your total revenue, no matter how you slice it, your customers are smokers. It's really hard to imagine that such places are running off their non smoking customers. Either they don't have many, or the non-smokers don't care (more on this).

Then there's McLieberman's comment to another entry.

The right to smoke is one thing, there is however, a legitimate case to made for protecting employees. It is one thing to socially avoid establishes that allowed smoking but without a smoking ban, barteneders and waitresses will be in unhealthy environments in order to make a living.

This is a very typical reason for the ban, its just not a good one. First, no one is forcing anyone to work in a smoking establishment. You could say that in a high unemployment environment, people will choose jobs that are physically damaging because they have to eat. One, that's just not the case today, nor really, ever. Second, if you close cigar bars, your taking jobs out of the market. Just no way to argue against that, and how does that help. But here's the thing. This well intentioned argument overlooks one simple question, "What if the employee doesn't care?" Or for that matter, what if the non-smoking customers don't care? Everyone in the country (except for Mr Malone) knows that smoking is harmful, yet there are millions of smokers and some of them even have non-smoking friends. They've all made a choice. Why take that choice away from employees and customers? An employee/friend/customer may not care, may not believe, or may be aware enough to know that if the damage of actual smoking can be reversed after a year of quitting, then surely the damages of second hand smoke can be reversed too. Speaking of, the dangers of second hand smoking are hardly proven, so why eliminate jobs that people want just because you happen to be worried? Why mess with the market? Why should your whim matter that much? If enough people are worried about working in a cigar bar, then the cost of labor will have to go up until it reaches a point where people will take the job. Its a self-correcting mechanism. Honestly, if McLieberman really believes his argument he should be looking to ban smoking period. He should be worried about spouses, children and friends of the smoker.

Look, I think smoking is a nasty habit. I think it will greatly increase your chances of not reaching your natural age. I think smokers are pawns to a very well thought out advertising campaign that makes it seem rebellious to do exactly what billion dollar multi-national corporations want you to do. That's just genius. But I also like it because its the closest thing to an "I'm a moron" sign that I can get people to wear. In any group, scan the room, pick out the smokers, and you'll find your morons. It saves loads of time.

However, smoking is legal and smokers are legal. The anti-smoking movement is slowly making a legal product illegal without ever tackling the issue head on. The tactic is underhanded and dangerous. Just because you may not be a smoker, doesn't mean that you can or should look the other way.

By the way, rented "Thank You for Smoking." Great movie. Also a great book.