VIEWPOINTS
Please email us your thoughts and comments on anti-cigar measures and legislation to comment@cigarrights.org . We would like to post them in our web site.
The viewpoints in this section are the opinions of those credited and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cigar Rights of America.
Our founding fathers are rolling in their graves.
I am glad to hear about the CRA and joined immediately after learning about it. When rights are being eroded, the only possible solution is for like-minded people to band together and make a difference.
I would like to propose that the CRA begin coordinating and sponsoring rigorous research on the effects of first-hand and second-hand cigar smoke, studying only those people who smoke (or are around) only cigars and not cigarettes. To my knowledge, such research does not yet exist, and yet the politicians seem to know the truth of the matter anyway. Perhaps it is time we get to the bottom of this. My guess is that if one is to smoke, an occasional cigar is much healthier than a pack a day cigarette habit, and that cigar smokers as a group maintain a much healthier overall lifestyle (diet, exercise, sleep) than cigarette smokers. Research should also be done looking at the financial impact of cigar bans on the cigar and hospitality industries as well as the secondary impact on local and state governments from lower tax collections.
The fact that I can no longer legally smoke in a cigar bar as I travel, much less open one if I so choose, says more about the state of individual rights in today's America than it does about anything else. Welcome to the nanny state, where politicians are inherently much smarter than the governed, and are responsible for looking after our health because we couldn't possibly take care of ourselves. Our founding fathers are rolling in their graves.
Godspeed CRA.
JC McGinnis, PhD
Fort Myers, FL
Evidently freedom doesn't exist anymore.
This past year while at a blackjack table in Reno, I began smoking cigars. A nice smooth cigar was something I began to really enjoy. I received a Cigar of the Month membership, bought a subscription to Cigar Aficionado, and even bought the book Cigar's for Dummies just to enlighten myself.
Then all of a sudden the State of Washington banned all smoking in any public place. You can't smoke inside or within 25 feet of a door. This is utterly ridiculous! Both my parents smoked and much of the time I couldn't stand being in their cloud of soot, however I used a little common sense and walked away if I didn't want to be around it.
I just don't see how our public figures can't use some freakin' sense and leave it up to the owner of the establishment. Supposedly you can't even smoke in a cigar bar or club in the state...which is really dumb. I don't smoke in my home because my wife is pregnant, but if a bar owner wants to have a place that allows people the right to light up...then it should be their choice. And for all those people who are against it, I have a little word of advice…go somewhere else. No one is forcing you to be there. There are many places that are smoke-free which you could go to.
If I lived in a warmer climate area, it wouldn't be as big of an issue; however I spend a good portion of my year dealing with rain here in the Pacific Northwest. To be constantly forced to stand outside in the elements or under a makeshift cover because the state won't allow a nicer covered structure to be built is ridiculous. What happened to being able to make our own choices and having freedoms...evidently freedom doesn't exist anymore.
Best Regards,
Tim Hust
Vancouver, WA
October 28, 2008
I strongly oppose the method of taxing tobacco products to support SCHIP.
It appears a vast minority of people are going to support a majority in the plan. If it so important, then there should be a national sales tax on fast food as this causes more health problems for children or a national sales tax to support SCHIP than a tobacco tax so that everyone will pay something for it. I have about $30,000 in annual income, so I'm supposed to support up to a family of four that has less than $83,000 annual income. That is not fair, these people more than likely have more material items than I have. I enjoy cigars and the occasional pipe, one of the last few enjoyments I have, I don't drink and am 77 years old, need I say more.
Thank You,
Dick Jungels
Illinois
October 25, 2008
I am strongly against using tobacco tax…
Dear Cigar Rights:
My opinion on SCHIP is that I think it is a good program for low income families that need the coverage. I am strongly against using tobacco tax to fund this program. It is a bad idea. The number of smokers is declining because of increases already in taxes and places you can smoke. My self example I enjoy cigars very much. But with limited places I can smoke I only smoke a couple of times a week.
The SCHIP should be an option to purchase for private insurance companies. The private insurance companies can set up a fund for low income families. If a family can't afford the SCHIP from private insurance companies than set up different charities where someone can contribute to a SCHIP fund. Using tobacco taxes for this is a bad idea. However SCHIP is not a bad idea used for the right reasons. Respectfully,
Darren Barr
August 26, 2008
Heard Cigar Dave speak on this many times, and when they announced the organization today, I joined immediately…
This country was established on the rights of the individual to own property. I am against ANYTHING that interferes with might right to do whatever I want with my property. That includes what color I am "allowed" to paint my house or whether I am "allowed" to smoke a cigar in my house or on my property.
Heard Cigar Dave speak on this many times, and when they announced the organization today, I joined immediately. I am also a member of the NRA. I like a good steak with a very good single malt scotch. I am behind you 100%.
Hob Cunningham
Windcrest, Texas.
August 23, 2008
I am willing to do all that I can to prevent the ridiculous taxes that have been proposed and to limit the restrictions placed on smokers…
I wonder why government focuses on smoking. I do not like cigarette smoke, at all, yet I understand that people want to smoke. I am glad that there is no smoking in public buildings, restaurants, theaters, the workplace, etc. However, to begin to ban smoking in homes, cars and other private places in an absolute infringement on our rights as citizens. Why is there no focus on alcohol? Why not tax the drink more and prohibit drinking in public places, similar to smoking? I wonder if anyone recognizes that alcohol-related deaths far and away outnumber smoking-related deaths. Combining deaths that occur from liver disease, heart disease caused by drinking, accidents that occur while persons are under the influence, violence that occurs when people are under the influence and all other alcohol associated illnesses.
Alcohol is more accepted for two primary reasons: 1) many of the influential people in our society drink "sociably" and they see it as an appropriate way to engage in interaction at events and 2) they tried once with prohibition and failed so the government is afraid to try anything again.
I am willing to do all that I can to prevent the ridiculous taxes that have been proposed and to limit the restrictions placed on smokers.
William Rudowitz
August 19, 2008
The current plan would put an end to the cigar industry… I attended the first Freedom Tour event in Manhattan the other evening and engaged in some good discussion around the smoking ban and tax related issues. The more I think about the taxation story, the more frustrated I get with the politicians in this country. The concept of taxing to provide health insurance for children is not necessarily, in and of itself, a bad thing. However, the plan as it is laid out is ridiculous. The current plan would put an end to the cigar industry as we know it and would therefore not raise any taxes and not be able to fund any health insurance or other cause. Then I look at how much money our government spend son the health and well being of illegal aliens and I am forced to wonder, if the government would stop spending all that money on healthcare for illegals and would take that money and spend it on healthcare for children, I am almost 100% certain that the bill would be paid in full.
Also, what about the Social Security and Welfare payments that are made to relatives of immigrants who come here solely to take advantage of the good nature of our country and the loopholes in the system? Close the loopholes and strengthen the requirements to receive such payments, and the bill would be paid in full.
Now, send all of the illegal aliens who are in our prisons back to their countries of origin and the bill would be paid in full. Take all of the money our various layers of government pay to have programs and products translated to languages other then English and the bill would be paid
in full.
Finally, stop wasting so much time trying to take away the rights of smokers of fine cigars, who aren't hurting anyone and aren't asking for anything and I'll bet they could find a way to do all of the above and not only pay for SCHIP but also pay for the continuation of Social Security pensions, fund research for alternative energy sources and fix our infrastructure.
You know why they don't do any of those things? It's because they would have to have guts to do it and attacking the small number of us smokers of fine cigars
is easy.
William Rudowitz
August 21, 2008
I was told by the bartender that Winston's Cigar Lounge would no longer allow cigar smoking… Just thought someone should know about this. I found it on a cigar forum board. It was posted on 8/4/08.
I booked a 7-day Caribbean cruise aboard the Carnival Valor cruise ship out of Miami, Fla. last week. I chose this ship, in large part, because it advertised on Carnival's web site a comfortable, fancy cigar bar that featured nightly live jazz.
But my first night on the ship, as I was about to clip a Fuente 8-5-8 Flor Fina, I was told by the bartender that Winston's Cigar Lounge would no longer allow cigar smoking. I complained to our cruise director and learned that (starting last week), the Carnival corporate office had decided to test a new no-cigar policy on the Valor. If customer complaints aren't too high, they plan to enforce the new policy on their entire fleet.
Cigar smoking is still allowed on open decks (starboard side only), but not in any bar or lounge or casino...not even the Winston Cigar Bar. I thought this was extremely disappointing, not to mention a tad dishonest. If I had known about the new policy, I probably would have sailed with another cruise line.... Smoking cigars on the open deck proved to be a not-so-good alternative. 1) It was windy, and 2) it was difficult to enjoy conversation with friends, since the open deck movie theater was playing every night. (I don't fancy having to watch Bee Movie with my cigar and cognac.)
Other than this one issue, the rest of the cruise was great fun.
Thanks,
David Justice
August 18, 2008
Why is a solitary private industry being singled out to provide that financial support? You asked for opinions, here is mine—as concise as I can articulate. There are few of us cigar "aficionados" who disagree with funding children and supporting programs that assist children. This is especially true of health care for children and the SCHIP bill.
However, there are few (if any) other instances of private industry supporting unrelated programs like tobacco taxes supports SCHIP. Each US citizen is required to pay taxes. I pay mine annually. Why is a solitary private industry being singled out to provide that financial support? If you agree with SCHIP and the bill in its entirety, I ask only that you think of this- obesity is a terrifically important and continually rising concern amongst children in the USA. Is it acceptable to tax every fast food chain on the sale of their hamburgers to finance children's health care coverage?
Brandon Schleeter
Marketing Consultant
June 10, 2008 |
