Subscribe to Cigar Rights of America RSS feeds and get the most up-to-date cigar-related legislative news for Rhode Island. http://www.cigarrights.org/xml/news/news_RI.xml http://www.cigarrights.org/favicon.ico http://www.cigarrights.org/images/CRA08small.jpg en-us FEB 16 - LINCOLN — The already trouble-plagued Twin River gambling hall now has something else to worry about. Sen. Paul Fogarty wants to end the exemption the General Assembly gave to Twin River and Newport Grand when it banned smoking in virtually all public places in Rhode Island more than three years ago. Smoking was allowed to continue in limited areas at the two facilities because lawmakers feared a drop in revenue if gamblers couldn't smoke there when they are allowed to do so at the Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun casinos in nearby Connecticut. The state takes 60 cents of every dollar that is lost at Twin River and Newport Grand and that represents a significant percentage of the state's revenues. The legislature banned smoking in all other public places, including restaurants and bars so that employees would not be exposed to second hand smoke, which is considered to be a health hazard. Fogarty, whose district includes parts of Glocester, Burrillville and North Smithfield, says the rationale for the exemption – to protect the state from losing any of the money it receives from the two gaming facilities – was misguided. http://www.pawtuckettimes.com/content/view/70817/1/ Mon, 16 Feb 2009 10:35 -0800 Rhode Island PAWTUCKET — At the Habanos Cigar Lounge, a cigar will have to remain just a cigar, with no snifter of fine wine or cognac to accompany it. By a unanimous vote, the City Council's Board of License Commissioners turned down a request from Habanos' owner, Mohammad “Mike” Eid, to obtain a full liquor license for his Newport Avenue establishment. http://www.pawtuckettimes.com/content/view/122016/27/ 23 Apr 2010 11:11 -0800 Rhode Island