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Rights, Jobs, Businesses, Taxes at Stake with Proposed Indiana Smoking Ban

Mr Nice Guy — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 18:05:00 GMT

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana January 24, 2011 – A proposed statewide smoking ban in Indiana is filled with unintended consequences that will negatively impact the rights of business owners and their customers, and losses of jobs, businesses and state and local taxes, says the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association.

The Indiana House committee voted to endorse HB 1018 which prohibits smoking in public places and indoor work sites excluding casinos, horse tracks and other gambling facilities and tobacco stores. The bill now goes to the full House for review before being taken up by the State Senate where previous smoking ban attempts have failed in the past.

“We certainly appreciate the fact that the bill exempts our members’ cigar stores, but, in all fairness, it would still take away the rights of Indiana citizens and business owners. In addition, it will result in lost business, lost jobs and lost tax revenues across the state. Is this the time to be passing unnecessary legislation that hurts our economy?” asked Chris McCalla, legislative director of the IPCPR.

McCalla noted that the current exemptions were included because a nonpartisan fiscal impact statement estimated the ban would cut state gambling tax revenues by up to $200 million annually.

“And that’s just the tip of the iceberg,” said McCalla. “Even the Federal Reserve Bank has officially noted the negative business and jobs impact that such bans have on local and statewide economies.”

McCalla explained that legislated smoking bans are not only unnecessary, they attack the personal rights of smokers and non-smokers, alike. It is the right of every business owner to declare their businesses smoke-free or not, he added.

“It is not up to government to make that decision,” declared McCalla, “and customers can decide for themselves if they want to patronize a place that does or does not allow smoking on the premises. I think people are getting fed up with government telling them what they can and cannot do,” McCalla said.

In response to Brown’s claims that smoking bans do not hurt revenue at bars and restaurants, McCalla cited the Federal Reserve Bank in St. Louis regarding the proven negative effects on businesses from legislated smoking bans.

“The Fed has found that, based on impartial data generated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, significant employment declines result from forced smoking bans, especially in bars and restaurants due to lost revenues,” he said.

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Nebraska Poll on Tobacco Taxes Called ‘Phony’ by Cigar Association

Mr Nice Guy — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 22:53:00 GMT

Lincoln, Nebraska January 21, 2011 – The results of a poll of 500 Nebraskans are being touted by anti-smoking forces as justification for tobacco tax increases statewide but the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association is touting those results as ‘phony.’

The poll was paid for by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, an $8.4 billion organization that gets its funds from Johnson & Johnson which makes the leading brand of anti-smoking medication. Released last week, the poll was conducted by a coalition of anti-smoking organizations. It says 73 percent of the Nebraska voters surveyed favor raising the tax on cigarettes by $1.35 per pack of cigarettes. The current Nebraska tax on cigarettes is 64 cents per pack. The coalition is urging the Nebraska legislature to increase tobacco taxes across the board.

“The conclusions drawn from the poll results are phony for many reasons,” said Chris McCalla, legislative director of the IPCPR. “First of all, the poll’s funding source has a vested interest in forcing people to give up the pleasure of smoking which will result from higher tobacco taxes,” said Chris McCalla, legislative director of the IPCPR. “Second, they are saying that 365 people should dictate higher taxes on those tobacco products by the citizens of Nebraska. Ridiculous!”

McCalla said the questions in the poll were skewed to lead the participants to reach the conclusions that the coalition and funding source wanted in the first place.

“Any increase in tobacco taxes will cause sales to fall which will result in lost jobs, lost businesses and lost tax revenues, not increased revenues as the coalition claims. That’s not only common sense, it is a mathematical certainty,” he said. “You can’t have it both ways. For example, federal tobacco taxes currently fund children’s health programs and any decrease in those tax revenues would cause a shortfall in funding those programs.”

McCalla added that the IPCPR is an association of independent cigar store owners and manufacturers, most of whom are small, mom-and-pop tobacconists who primarily sell premium cigars, pipes and tobacco.

“The coalition is pulling numbers out of a hat when they claim that a tax increase would prevent more children from smoking and save on so-called tobacco-related health care and smoking-caused deaths. They make statements that simply cannot be proven. But, by saying them often enough, many people tend to believe what they say although there are no facts to support their claims,” McCalla said.

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IPCPR Urges Courtesy, Not Ban, in Raleigh, NC Parks

Mr Nice Guy — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 17:35:00 GMT

Raleigh, North Carolina January 18, 2011 – The Raleigh, North Carolina City Council is considering a ban on smoking in parks or greenways owned or operated by the city but the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association says it has a better idea – post courtesy messages, instead. The matter is expected to come up for a vote at tonight’s meeting.

“There are so many things wrong with legislated smoking bans,” said Chris McCalla, legislative director of the IPCPR. “Such bans result in job losses, losses in revenue to local, state and federal coffers, and loss of constitutional rights given to citizens by the state and federal governments. Worst of all, claims regarding the alleged negative effects of secondhand smoke – especially in wide open spaces like parks – are more than inaccurate, they are downright misleading.”

McCalla says there is no need to ban smoking in such outdoors areas and, even if it were enacted, there would be virtually no practical way to enforce it.

“The oh-so-brief encounters of random whiffs of smoke will not harm anyone. After all, even the Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the United States Department of Labor has established safe levels of secondhand smoke. Some people just don’t like the smell of smoke, but there’s no reason that the rights of smokers should be trumped by a few non-smokers. Besides, a good cigar or pipe usually emits quite an enjoyable odor.”

Some have argued that children are apt to pick up cigarette or cigar butts and put them in their mouths.

“I don’t believe that is a real concern as opposed to a manufactured one. And, even if it were real, there are littering laws that, if enforced, would eliminate that alleged problem,” McCalla said.

McCalla asked, “What if someone complained about the odor of cheap perfume or wet dogs? What if someone complained about seriously obese people taking up more than their share of seating space in the shelters and on buses?

“Imposing a smoking ban in public parks is just one more step on a slippery slope that could lead to even more ridiculous conclusions,” he said.

Instead, McCalla believes posting signs urging smokers to display courtesy to non-smokers with whom they share bus shelters is the civil way to manage the situation.

“This way, everybody wins.”

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Kentucky Proposed Smoking Ban Bill Going Nowhere

Mr Nice Guy — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 19:19:00 GMT

Frankfort, Kentucky January 13, 2011 – When lawmakers don’t want to deal with tough issues like jobs creation and balanced budgets, they turn to proposing things like smoking bans and, in the process, continue to proliferate false information and misunderstandings regarding the economic and health-related impacts of such legislation, according to the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association.

A bill has been introduced in the Kentucky state legislature by Rep. Susan Westrom of Lexington seeking to impose a no-exception smoking ban in all indoor workplaces and public places, including bars and restaurants. Westrom admits the bill will go nowhere in this year’s legislature but has proposed it, nonetheless. Currently, in Kentucky, state laws prohibit smoking in government offices, universities, and the state capitol, except in designated smoking areas.

“Kentucky unemployment is nearly 11 percent, yet some legislators seem to be more interested in creating job-killing bills like smoking bans which take away property owners’ constitutional rights to determine for themselves if smoking should be allowed in their places of business,” said Chris McCalla, legislative director of the IPCPR, an association of some 2,000 neighborhood mom-and-pop premium cigar retailers, manufacturers and distributors.

Some $300,000 of federal stimulus money has been used to finance anti-smoking efforts in Kentucky instead of job creation, according to Jim Waters, vice president of policy and communications for the Bluegrass Institute, an independent free-market think tank.

Waters also has reported that “the ‘science’ behind the economic effect of a smoking ban is questionable at best and dishonest at worst,” according to Ken Moellman, a spokesman for Northern Kentucky Choice.

“The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis has shown that government-imposed smoking bans exact a negative economic impact on businesses frequented by smokers,” wrote Waters in a July post. (http://www.bipps.org/article.php/2378 )

Regarding the health implications related to secondhand smoke, McCalla cited a post by Dr. Michael Siegel, an anti-smoking advocate and professor in the Department of Community Health Sciences at Boston University’s School of Public Health. Despite his stance against smoking, generally, Dr. Siegel has been highly critical of many claims about secondhand smoke, including those made by the Kentucky Center for Smoke-Free Policy at the University of Kentucky College of Nursing.

According to Dr. Siegel, the statements he called “outright lies” include the following: “Even brief exposure to secondhand smoke can trigger a heart attack … (and) after two hours of secondhand smoke exposure, the heart rate speeds up and leads to abnormal heart rhythms (which can lead to death).”

Dr. Siegel also wrote that no evidence exists to support claims by the current Surgeon General that even brief exposure to secondhand smoke can cause (a) heart attack and that inhaling even the smallest amount of tobacco smoke can … lead to cancer. (http://tobaccoanalysis.blogspot.com/2010/12/finalists-for-2010-lie-of-year-award.html)

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Surgeon General’s Report Called ‘Unscientific’ and Potentially Unethical

Mr Nice Guy — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 16:13:00 GMT

Columbus, Georgia December 15, 2010 – A renowned member of the Boston University School of Public Health and members of the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association are challenging as unscientific and potentially unethical this week’s report from the Office of Dr. Regina Benjamin, the U.S. Surgeon General, about the effects of tobacco smoke.

The report said that even brief exposure to secondhand smoke – as from one cigarette - can cause cardiovascular disease, trigger acute cardiac events and can damage one’s DNA and lead to cancer. These and other parts of the report are being challenged by the IPCPR which is comprised of some 2,000 members who are primarily small family businesses that operate neighborhood cigar stores or manufacture premium cigars, pipes, tobacco and related accoutrements.

“The mixed signals and misinformation coming from Dr. Benjamin’s office lead one to question everything they say and do,” said Chris McCalla, legislative director of the IPCPR.

McCalla cited the fact that one of the first actions of President Barack Obama’s administration was to push through draconian increases in tobacco taxes to fund an expanded children’s healthcare program. Then the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act was passed, giving new powers to the Federal Drug Administration to reduce smoking in the United States. Now, the Surgeon General is saying, in effect, that walking past a smoker on the street could cause a person to develop cardiovascular disease and cancer.

“It is simply untrue to assert that brief exposure to secondhand smoke can cause such results,” added Prof. Michael Siegel of Boston University’s School of Public Health. “If there is no safe level of exposure to any carcinogen, that would include exposure to automobile exhaust, the sun’s rays, benzene, radon in homes, arsenic in drinking water and many other everyday items.”

Prof. Siegel, who is not associated with the tobacco industry or IPCPR, also said those statements are untrue and that nothing in the actual report supports those assertions.

“There is nothing in the report itself which … supports the assertions that a brief exposure to secondhand smoke can cause cardiovascular disease or cancer. These assertions … have been manufactured to create a sense of public hysteria, but they are unsupported by any science whatsoever,” he wrote in his blog at www.tobaccoanalysis.blogspot.com on Dec. 13, 2010. “This is the second time that the Office of the Surgeon General has misrepresented and distorted the science of … secondhand smoke. The press release which accompanied the Surgeon General’s 2006 report on secondhand smoke made the same false assertion,” he said.

McCalla also cited the fact that, prior to her nomination as U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Benjamin served as a trustee of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation which contributes tens of millions of dollars every year to promote smoking bans and fund anti-tobacco groups in the United States and internationally.

“Why is this a potential conflict of interest? Because the foundation’s sister organization is Johnson & Johnson, maker of Nicorette, a nicotine replacement product,” he said.

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Tobacco Misinformation Runs Amok in San Jose

Mr Nice Guy — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 20:27:00 GMT

San Jose, California Nov. 23, 2010 – Misinformation is running amok in defense of San Jose, California’s consideration of a licensing program and limited public view of tobacco products, says the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association.

“It’s been written in justification of these onerous measures that ‘tobacco related diseases’ are the number one cause of preventable death in the United States,” said Chris McCalla, legislative director of the IPCPR, an association of more than 2,000 retailers and manufacturers of premium cigars, tobaccos and related accessories. “First of all, there’s no such thing as a strictly ‘tobacco related disease.’ Secondly, obesity is the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., not tobacco, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”

McCalla said that claims made by the San Jose city staff that a licensing program for tobacco products and hiding all tobacco products from public view would help prevent underage smoking are “beyond reason.”

“Think about it. The way to prevent underage smoking is to enforce the laws already on the books. If it costs too much to enforce the existing laws, raise the penalties high enough to pay for enforcement. The only thing these two measures would do is put a lot of good, law-abiding people out of business – small business owners who sell premium cigars almost exclusively,” he said.

“The vast majority of our members own cigar stores, small businesses that cater to adults only. We welcome law enforcement and inspectors to visit our members’ establishments as often as they like. Our members have strict policies against selling tobacco products of any kind to minors. Whereas convenience stores often derive only 20 percent of their overall sales from tobacco products, most of our members’ shops depend on tobacco products – like premium cigars – for some 90 percent of their revenues.

“And to force us to not display our tobacco products would have a devastating effect on our business. It would be like an automobile dealership not able to display its cars,” McCalla explained.

In a letter to city officials, McCalla urged that the proposals be dropped entirely. Failing that, he urged an alternate plan that would exempt certain businesses from the licensing provision and force certain other businesses that sell tobacco products to be age-restricted.

“Exemptions to any such city licensing or prevention of product display should be made for any business holding a state tobacco excise tax permit and whose business derives at least 75 percent of its revenues from the sale of tobacco products. Also, the ordinance should include that such establishments should be for adults only,” he said.

McCalla indicated that other states and local jurisdictions have passed similar legislation. He cited the District of Columbia as having approved such provisions to its self-service display ban ordinance.

“Law abiding adults who enjoy the pleasures and socialization of premium cigars and pipes should not be prevented from doing so. Ours are unique businesses that need reasonable parameters so they may continue operating their shops according to their individual business plans and models,” he said.

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IPCPR TOBACCONISTS COMPLETE CRT CERTIFICATION

Mr Nice Guy — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 17:57:00 GMT

October 27, 2010 Columbus, Georgia – Twenty-five tobacconists nationwide have earned the designation of Certified Retail Tobacconist from Tobacconist University, the official curriculum resource of the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association.

The group includes the following:

Jorge Luis Valdez of Sabor Havana Cigars in Doral, Florida
Alex Diaz, Greg Hernke, Neal Thompson, K. Allen Byrd, Perry Lowe and Jeff Borysiewicz of Corona Cigar Company in Orlando, Florida
Douglas Fiore and Rose Ann Edmiston of Winston’s Humidor in Midlothian, Virginia
Phillip Ledbetter of Up Down Cigar in Chicago, Illinois
Alex B. Mayer of Wooden Indian Tobacco Shop in Havertown, Pennsylvania
Russell Salvatore of A Little Taste of Cuba in New Hope, Pennsylvania
Ronald Alred of Mojito Cigar Lounge in Cave Creek, Arizona
Michael McCarthy of MJM Fine Cigars & Tobacco in Palm Harbor, Florida
Luis Roberto Molina of Habana Port Cigar Merchants in Covington, Louisiana
Therina Himes of Custom Blends in Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania
David Kleehamer and Robert A. Roth of Nice Ash Cigars & Lounge in Depew, New York
Zack Photakis of Owl Shop Tobacconists in Worcester, Massachusetts
Cindy Pinkerton of Snow Mountain Smoke Shop in Las Vegas, Nevada
Robert E. Wood of the Las Vegas Paiute Smoke Shop in Las Vegas, Nevada
Jetmira Kaziu of Cigar Masters in Boston, Massachusetts
Wayne Young of Chesapeake Cigar Company in Edgewater, Maryland
Danny Ditkowich of Tobacco Plaza, Ltd. In Great Neck, New York and
Erich Orris of Tinder Box 420 in Rapid City, South Dakota

These tobacconists are among some 500 selected professional tobacconists nationwide who have been awarded CRT recognition after participating in an academic curriculum and testing process that enables them to achieve superior technical and marketing knowledge about premium cigars, pipes, premium tobacco and related accessories.

ABOUT TOBACCONIST UNIVERSITY
Tobacconist University is an independent teaching and research organization dedicated to preserving the traditions and enhancing the knowledge and skills of retailers and consumers who appreciate luxury tobacco and adhere to a high code of industry ethics and standards. More information at www.tobacconistuniversity.org

ABOUT IPCPR
The IPCPR is an association principally comprised of more than 2,000 owners and employees of small, family-owned cigar stores and businesses primarily engaged in the manufacturing, sales, marketing and distribution of premium cigars, pipes, loose tobacco and related items. More information at www.ipcpr.org

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Tobacco Industry Unites To Deal With Onerous New York City, State Issues

Mr Nice Guy — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 15:15:00 GMT

Ask Ron Melendi how it’s going and he’ll ask you back, “With what?”

“That legislative thing you’re working on,” you say.

“Which one,” he asks, “the smoking ban extension… the flavored tobacco ban… or the signage issue in New York City… or the cigar tax issue in Albany?”

As head of the New York (State) Tobacconist Association, Melendi has his hands full dealing with city and state issues. His other job is running De La Concha, a cigar store at 1390 Avenue of the Americas in New York City.

“I don’t know how we’d deal with all these city and state issues if we weren’t organized as a state association with support from all the major industry players like the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association, Cigar Association of America, Cigar Rights of America, and several manufacturers. We’ve got around 50 members of the association now but sure could use help from other retailers in the state. I know they’re rooting for us, but they need to get into the game before the clock runs out,” he said.

Melendi said it appears that they’re making progress on securing a state $1 tax cap on premium cigars. Two bills have been presented – one in the Senate and one in the Assembly – and the CAA is submitting an economic impact study that supports the $1 tax cap concept.

“We’ll have to wait until after the elections to see how this turns out,” he said. “We’ve gotten indications of support for our cause from (gubernatorial candidate Andrew) Cuomo and the State Senate looks to be picking up some six seats which will create a better balance of power between the Senate and the Assembly. How important is that? Without it, the Democrats will likely redistrict the state and the Republicans will be out of power for another 25 years. I don’t care what your politics are, we need to be at least a two party state or every small business – including tobacconists – will pack up and move somewhere else.”

On the flavored tobacco front, the Association is working with the New York City Council to get cigar stores officially exempted from the ban. Melendi is hopeful this will happen early next year.

Perhaps the most publicly visible issue Melendi’s group is currently addressing is the attempt in New York City to extend the smoking ban to include parks, beaches and outdoor plazas.

A recent hearing on the proposal drew written testimony delivered in person by Joe Rowe, executive director of the IPCPR; Glynn Loope, Executive Director of the CRA, and Melendi. The city’s representatives were grilled by audience members who challenged virtually all of their self-styled justifications for the ban extension. Several comprises were offered but are not expected to hold up.

Instead, Melendi and his group are meeting Tuesday, October 26 with the sponsor of the original bill in an attempt to hammer out a more realistic compromise. Regardless, expectations are that at least one or two more hearings will be held before a vote is taken in City Council, compromise or not.

“That vote could take place yet this year. Meanwhile, we look forward to continued support from IPCPR, CAA, CRA and manufacturers,” Melendi said, “and fully expect to see our membership continue to grow to encompass all New York State retailers.”

To see the testimony of industry executives, please click as follows:

Ron Melendi

Joe Rowe

Glynn Loope

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Don’t Believe Everything You Read, Cigar Association Warns Pelham Mayor

Mr Nice Guy — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 18:40:00 GMT

Pelham, Alabama October 19, 2010 – The International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association strongly suggests that Pelham Mayor Don Murphy and the Alabaster City Council change their reading habits to include factually balanced materials when it comes to smoking bans and secondhand smoke.

That position was taken by the IPCPR when Mayor Murphy, who announced this week he is considering a citywide ban on smoking in public places, was quoted as saying “Everything I am reading (is) about how bad secondhand smoke is for everyone.” At the same time, down the road, the Alabaster City Council is holding public hearings on a public smoking ban in its city.

“These people are either out of touch with reality or they are limited their reading to the extremely biased and falsely slanted materials provided by prohibitionists,” said Chris McCalla, legislative director of the IPCPR, an association of some 2,000 tobacconists, largely small businesses engaged in the manufacturing and retailing of premium cigars, pipes, tobacco and related accoutrements.

McCalla said no studies exist that support the prohibitionists’ wild claims that secondhand smoke represents any health risks indoors, let alone outdoors.

“Sometimes lawmakers feel obliged to give the appearance that they are doing something to justify their existence when all they are doing is wasting everyone’s time on silly matters like this,” said McCalla.

“Surveys show that legislated smoking bans ruin more businesses than they help,” he said. “That’s why we are against any form of legislated smoking bans and urge civility and courtesy between smokers and non-smokers. This is nothing but ‘control creep,’ where prohibitionists grab a piece at a time at our rights to run our own lives.”

McCalla cited regulations of OSHA – the Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor – that declared safe levels of secondhand smoke to be up to 25,000 times safer than air quality found in the average bar or restaurant.

“Many restaurant and bar owner already declare their premises as non-smoking and that’s just fine,” McCalla said. “However, when their rights as property owners are usurped by petty legislation that is based on false information, it’s just not the way things should be. Whether you are a smoker or not, you should be against legislated smoking bans because the deprivation of this basic, inherent right is the first step down the slippery slope of loss of rights in other areas of our lives.”

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Cigar Association Condemns Cambridge Council for Proposed Smoking Ban Extension

Mr Nice Guy — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 19:29:00 GMT

Cambridge, Massachusetts October 13, 2010 – Like lemmings leaping into the sea, the Cambridge, Massachusetts City Council is following New York City’s attempt to extend the statewide indoor smoking ban and include the city’s public spaces, including parks.

Cambridge City Councilor Marjorie Decker proposed the ban extension last week and a policy order was passed by the council. City Manager Bob Healy is exploring the ban’s feasibility with the Cambridge Public Health Department before the ban extension is actually voted on.

“Ridiculous,” said Chris McCalla, legislative director of the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association. “This is just another twisted attempt by lazy lawmakers to control people with unnecessary legislation based on unsubstantiated assumptions.”

McCalla said no studies exist that prove secondhand smoke represents any health risks indoors, let alone outdoors. He added that laws against littering already exist and should be enforced “without wasting any more time on silly matters like this. Jobs are at stake, businesses are at risk and for what? Because legislators don’t listen to the people and they don’t want to confront real issues like job creation and proper budget management,” he added.

The IPCPR represents some 2,000 retailers and manufacturers of premium cigars, pipes, tobacco and related accoutrements. For the most part, they are small, family businesses, passed on from generation to generation. They are neighborhood businesses that employ neighborhood residents and family members serving neighborhood customers who enjoy a good cigar or bowlful of pipe tobacco every now and then.

McCalla said it was a non-argument to indicate that because some other cities in the United States have legislated such smoking bans, Cambridge and New York City should do the same.

“There’s no leadership in following the wrong moves of others,” McCalla said. “They throw numbers around like they are meaningful statistics as a means to justify their ends. Those so-called statistics are fictional estimates made of lies from whole cloth by people and organizations who have everything to gain from such bans, primarily financial gains. Healy is doing what he has to do, but Decker and Sam Lipson, director of environmental health, are way off base with this one. “

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Two Tobacconist Associations Join to Fight Proposed Smoking Ban Extension

Mr Nice Guy — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 14:45:00 GMT

New York, New York October 11, 2010 – The International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association is joining forces with the New York Tobacconist Association to fight for the rights of New York City citizens in opposition to the proposed expansion of smoking restrictions to the city’s parks and beaches and other public outdoor locations, including Times Square.

The associations represent thousands of small, family-owned retail businesses specializing in the sale of premium cigars, pipes, tobacco and related accoutrements.

The New York Tobacconist Association is circulating a petition which states that the undersigned are opposed to such an extension, that such decisions should be left to individuals, and that they pledge to be courteous in the use of tobacco products in those public areas. (http://bit.ly/9sIVfT)

The Association is also inviting supporters to attend the Council’s hearing on the matter Thursday, October 14 at 1:00 p.m. (http://bit.ly/beT6Sz).

“We’re against legislated smoking bans of any kind,” said Chris McCalla, legislative director for the IPCPR, “and so should everyone else, because they take away fundamental rights of citizens everywhere. In public places like these, common courtesy should prevail, not heavy-handed, misguided legislation.”

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Premium Cigar Retailers Call on Federal Legislators

Mr Nice Guy — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 15:26:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. September 24, 2010 – Nearly two dozen members and representatives of the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association based in Columbus, Georgia are making a difference in Washington, D.C. – literally.

The group recently called on their U.S. representatives and senators in Washington, D.C. to make sure they understand that premium cigars and pipe tobacco are different from all other tobacco products.

They explained to their congressional representatives that premium cigars comprise only around three percent of all cigars sold, less than one-half of one percent of the overall tobacco market, and that premium cigars are different from machine-made cigars and cigarettes. As a result, premium cigars should be classified separately from other tobacco products when taxation considerations are being made and as the Federal Drug Administration is reviewing its role in controlling tobacco products as part of the recently enacted Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act.

“What we’re doing is important to all premium cigars retailers, manufacturers and our customers because our businesses are at stake as is our industry whenever tobacco tax increases and control measures are considered at the federal and state levels,” said Gary Pesh, president of the IPCPR board of directors. “Ours is a strictly adult product, not inhaled and smoked in moderation not as a habit but more as a hobby.”

The IPCPR represents some 2,000 premium cigar stores throughout the United States and manufacturers which, for the most part, are family-owned, small businesses that have been around for generations.

CAPTION -- Calling on Congress are IPCPR members and representatives (left to right – first row) Gary Pesh of Old Virginia Tobacco Company in Woodbridge, VA; Rene Gerard of Piper’s Haven in Lafayette, LA; Jim Clark of Straus Tobacconist in Cincinnati, OH; Gordon Smith of Edward’s Pipe & Tobacco Shop in Tampa, FL; Chris McCalla, legislative director of IPCPR in Columbus, GA; Gary Kolesaire of The Tobacco Shop in Ridgewood, NJ; David Berkebile of Georgetown Tobacco in Washington, DC; (second row) Tracy Jones of Truly Cigars in Marietta, GA; Jeff Steinbock of Uhle’s Pipe Shop in Milwaukee, WI; Rick Hopkins of Ye Olde Pipe & Tobacco in Phoenix, AZ; Andrea Pingel, area sales manager for Davidoff; Rick Payne of Havana Dreamin’ in Montgomery, AL; Jim Luftman of Blue Havana II Cigars & Gifts in Alpharetta, GA; Gerry Roerty of General Cigar; Jeff Borysiewicz of Corona Cigar Co. in Orlando, FL; and Ken Neumann of Cigars & More in Libertyville, IL.

Not pictured are Gregory Zimmerman of The Tobacco Company in Lemoyne, PA; Jeff Packer of The Tinder Box in Tacoma, WA; and Mike Copperman of Bethesda Tobacco in Bethesda, MD.

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Tobacconists Association Warns Bloomberg – Again - About Extending Smoking Ban

Mr Nice Guy — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 15:25:00 GMT

New York, New York September 20, 2010 – The International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association today warned Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg – again – about his desire to extend New York City’s smoking ban to include the city’s parks and beaches. The IPCPR first blew the whistle on the mayor’s intentions back in July, 2010 when it issued its first news release on the subject.

Actually, Dr. Thomas A. Farley, New York City’s health commissioner, proposed the broad-reaching ban in 2009. At the time the mayor said he would consider it. Now, the proposal has his full support, has been introduced to the city council and, if passed, would affect more than 1,700 parks, playground and recreational facilities, in addition to the city’s seven beaches and 14 miles of shoreline.

According to published articles, one of the reasons the mayor is quoted as supporting the proposal is “because people take their cigarette butts and the packages and just throw them away.”

“There already are littering laws that take care of that concern. Enforce the laws already on the books before you create meaningless and damaging new ones,” McCalla said.

The IPCPR is comprised of some 2,000 members, including owners of retail cigar stores and manufacturers and distributors of premium cigars and related accoutrements.

“Our members are small businesses, mostly mom-and-pop operations that employ thousands of people. We pay local, state, federal and payroll taxes. Our customers enjoy premium cigars like most people enjoy fine wine. The more you limit the places they can enjoy a good cigar, the quicker you put us out of business and eliminate all those jobs and the taxes they generate,” McCalla said.

McCalla cited a Federal Reserve study that showed how smoking bans have proven to be economic dampeners.

“An Illinois smoking ban in casinos saw a decline in casino revenues of 21 percent while neighboring state casinos – all without smoking bans – had revenues stay flat or make slight gains even during a slowing economy,” he said.

“The myths surrounding secondhand smoke – especially in an outdoor environment - have played on the ignorance and gullibility of the public. Even the Surgeon General’s report says the health effects of secondhand smoke are inconclusive. And that was indoors” he said, “where OSHA – the Occupational Safety and Health Administration - has set safe levels of secondhand smoke at up to 25,000 times that which is found in the average bar or restaurant! “

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Bastions of Camaraderie, Other Businesses Threatened by Smoking Ban, Says Cigar Association

Mr Nice Guy — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 15:33:00 GMT

Savannah, Georgia August 19, 2010 – Today’s sanctuary for and one of the last bastions of camaraderie, friendship and sociability – the corner cigar store – could become history along with many other businesses in Savannah if City Council has its way, says the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association.

The current proposal would eliminate exemptions in the Georgia state law by making all workplaces smoke-free. This includes all indoor and outdoor areas of bars, restaurants, private clubs and other businesses, including cigar stores and within 20 feet from the entrance to any such workplace.

The IPCPR, not considered ‘big tobacco’, is comprised of more than 2,000 retailers, manufacturers and distributors of premium cigars, tobacco and related accoutrements. The group is standing up for small, family-owned businesses whose right it is to determine for themselves whether or not to allow smoking on their premises. Three of Savannah’s premium cigar shops are IPCPR members.

“We’re not against all smoking bans. We are against legislated smoking bans,” said Chris McCalla, legislative director of the IPCPR. “Many restaurants, bars and other places of business have already declared themselves as ‘no smoking’ venues. That’s their right under the constitution. It’s when the government – local, state or federal – starts telling private citizens how to run their businesses that we have a problem.”

McCalla says that the fear of secondhand smoke has been blown out of proportion to reality. Nonetheless, that misplaced fear is what appears to be spinning the issue in favor of the anti-smoking forces, he maintains.

“I’ve read Savannah newspaper articles that are supposed to be writing unbiased articles about the issue saying unattributed things like there are ‘countless studies that show secondhand smoke is dangerous’ and ‘statistics (prove) the lethality of secondhand smoke’ and ‘restaurant servers must wade through smoke to deliver food to patrons.’ Ridiculous!” he said.

“For every such study – many of which are based on bad science if you look at them objectively – there are others that contradict them. And the alleged statistics are mostly fiction, to say the least, concocted out of whole cloth. It’s when you get specific with such broadly biased arguments that their absurdity becomes obvious. Fortunately, most of the online reader comments about such articles are against the proposed ban extension,” he said.

McCalla urged City Council members to look at the facts as established by no less than the federal government’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the Department of Labor – OSHA - which has set safe level standards for secondhand smoke that are up to 25,000 times higher than are normally found in bars and restaurants.

“Those OSHA standards are based primarily on studies by the American Cancer Society which have proven in conducting air quality testing of secondhand smoke that it absolutely does not constitute a health hazard justifying widespread legislated smoking bans,” he said.

McCalla complimented those City Council members who are thoughtfully considering all facets of the issue and said he hoped they would see the wisdom in a decision against expanding the state ban in Savannah. He reminded the council that many cities are reversing or reconsidering their earlier decisions to legislate smoking bans because of the negative impact those bans have had on local businesses.

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Corona Cigar Co. Displays World’s Biggest Cigar to Counter Crotty’s Smoking Ban

Mr Nice Guy — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 20:02:00 GMT

Orlando, Florida August 16, 2010 – As an expression of public defiance to Orange County Mayor Richard T. Crotty’s executive order prohibiting tobacco use by anyone in any workplace or public area on or in county property, the world’s largest cigar has gone on display at Corona Cigar Co.’s store at 7792 W. Sand Lake Rd. in Orlando, Florida.

Store owner Jeff Borysiewicz brought the mammoth tobacco product from New Orleans where it was on display during the 78^th Annual Convention and International Trade Show of the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association. Borysiewicz is a member of the IPCPR Board of Directors.

The smokable, long-filler Corojo #5 Gran Robusto El Gigante cigar was made in the Danli, Honduras factory of the Gran Habano Cigar Company. It is 19 feet long, three feet in diameter, weighs 1,600 pounds (2,500 pounds, including the case) and includes 16,000 wrapper leaves. The cigar took 20 workers 20 days to make and has a retail value of $200,000. It will be on display through August 29th.

Borysiewicz has been campaigning against Mayor Crotty’s outdoor smoking ban because he believes it is unconstitutional, keeps tens of millions of dollars from flowing into the local economy and threatens the jobs of thousands of county workers. County workers are forced to sign a “tobacco free” affidavit and are permitted to smoke no more than four celebratory cigars per year, or face up to $650 in fines per year or are forced to quit their jobs.

“Since county employees are only allowed to smoke four cigars a year, we figured it might as well be the biggest cigar in the world!” said Borysiewicz

“This executive order is a misguided use of the mayor’s power and should be overturned as soon as possible. It goes way beyond the Florida Clean Indoor Air Act’s indoor smoking ban and may well be illegal because of that. Smokers and non-smokers alike should demand that the order be rescinded and that their politicians stop telling them how to live their lives,” said Borysiewicz.

He pointed out that tourists and local citizens alike can’t smoke or use any tobacco product (including smokeless tobacco) on county property – indoors or outdoors.

“That includes the Convention Center, county-owned sidewalks, lawns, parking lots, streets, public parks, boat ramps and docks and other county buildings, indoors or out,” said Borysiewicz who has been working to bring the IPCPR’s annual convention to Orlando but has hit a brick wall with the mayor’s draconian smoking ban.

“This convention alone attracts some 5,000 attendees and generates an estimated $16 million in economic impact wherever it is held. Imagine how many other conventions, meetings, visitors and tourists are deterred from coming to Orlando or any of the cities in Orange County because of this extreme ban,” he said.

Borysiewicz urged all Orange County residents to show their opposition to this executive order by calling, writing or sending emails to Mayor Crotty and Commissioners S. Scott Boyd, Fred Brummer, Linda Stewart, Bill Segal and Tiffany Moore Russell.

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Briar Patch Smoke Shops Golf Tournament Benefits Iraq Star Foundation

Mr Nice Guy — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 01:36:00 GMT

Sacramento, California August 3, 2010 – In the words of a top government official, “This is a big fricking deal,” says Ron Michelson, owner of Briar Patch Smoke Shops in Sacramento.

Michelson was referring to what is planned to be the Briar Patch’s First Annual Golf Tournament benefiting the Iraq Star Foundation to be held Friday, September 17 at the Ancil Hoffman Golf Course in Carmichael, California.

The Iraq Star Foundation provides reconstructive surgery to American soldiers returning from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. These surgeries help our wounded warriors resume happy, productive lives, and are beyond what the VA and the military will provide. All procedures are performed by board certified plastic and reconstructive surgeons who donate their skills. The Foundation pays for virtually everything else.

The event will begin with registration at 11:00 a.m. with tee-offs beginning at noon. The $99 fee includes entry to all events, 18-holes of golf, riding cart, lunch, dinner and a chance to win various prizes. There will be contests and prizes for longest drive, closest to pin and hole-in-one.

“Throughout the year, we stage a number of fund-raising events for community and patriotic causes, but this is one I am particularly pleased to be involved in,” said Michelson who also serves on the Board of Directors of the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association. The IPCPR is comprised of some 2,000 retailers and manufacturers of premium cigars, pipes, tobacco and related accoutrements.

Registration and sponsorship information is available at the Briar Patch Smoke Shops or online at www.briarpatch.biz. One location is at Arden Fair Mall, 1689 Arden Way and the other is at Loehmann’s Plaza, 2529 Fair Oaks Blvd., both in Sacramento. Merchandise donations should go to the Loehmann’s Plaza location.

More information about the Iran Star Foundation may be found at www.iraqstar.org.

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‘Just Say No’ to Savannah’s Proposed Smoking Ban, says IPCPR

Mr Nice Guy — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 16:32:00 GMT

Savannah, Georgia July 23, 2010 – The International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association is urging smokers and non-smokers alike to ‘just say no’ to the Savannah City Council’s proposed smoking ban extension that would include virtually all workplaces, including smoke shops.

The second opportunity for comment on the issue will be at the Quarterly Town Hall Meeting to be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 28 in the Savannah Civic Center Ballroom. The proposal would eliminate current exemptions in the Georgia law by making all workplaces smoke-free. This includes all indoor and outdoor areas of bars, restaurants, private clubs and other businesses, including cigar stores and within 20 feet from the entrance to any such workplace.

“What no one needs is more of government telling people what they can and cannot do,” said Chris McCalla, legislative director of the IPCPR.

The IPCPR is an association of some 2,000 retailers and manufacturers of premium cigars, pipes, tobacco and accoutrements. These are, by and large, small, family businesses that have been passed on from generation to generation. According to McCalla, they do not represent what most people would classify as ‘big tobacco.’

“Our members hire neighborhood folks, pay all kinds of local, state and federal taxes, including taxes that fully support SCHIP – the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. Without tobacco taxes, SCHIP would disappear,” he said.

McCalla said that levels of secondhand smoke in virtually all working establishments are well within the safe standards set by the United States Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration. He also cited a paper funded by the Lung Association and published recently in the New England Journal of Medicine that puts the passive consumption of secondhand smoke at 0.009 cigarettes an hour in a bar and 0.001 at a bus stop.

“That means bartenders would get exposure to roughly 20 cigarettes per year which isn’t enough to do anyone any harm,” he said.

In addition to dismissing the overreaching claims against the impact of secondhand smoke, McCalla said legislative smoking bans tend to be unconstitutional and could lead to usurpation of civil rights.

“Jobs and businesses truly are at stake here, as well as the rights of business owners to declare whether or not smoking should be allowed in their establishments. If government was to declare no smoking in its facilities, then so be it. If a restaurant owner decides that his place of business will allow smoking, then that’s his right, as well. If patrons and potential employees don’t want to patronize a place that allows smoking, they have the right to go somewhere else,” he said.

McCalla urged all Savannah citizens, all Georgians and everyone else to attend the hearing or call the City Council at 912-651-6441 or the office Mayor Otis Johnson at 912-651-6444 to voice their objection to the proposal.

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Book Signing by Local Author Featured Aug. 7 at Briar Patch Loehmann’s Plaza

Mr Nice Guy — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 03:09:00 GMT

Sacramento, California July 22, 2010 – Briar Patch Smoke Shop at Loehmann’s Plaza, the area’s newest destination location for premium cigar and pipe smokers, will host a book signing Saturday, August 7 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. for Sacramento author Tim Comstock’s latest book, ‘Reunion in Carmel.’

Loehmann’s Plaza is located at 2529 Fair Oaks Blvd in Sacramento, California.

A murder mystery, ‘Reunion in Carmel’ is Comstock’s first novel. Now-retired, the former Dean of Students at California State University, Sacramento previously published books on the history of Sacramento’s Sutter Club, YMCA and Grandfathers’ Club. At CSUS, Comstock also taught business law and co-taught journalism. He later served as Executive Director of the California Dental Association.

Comstock has been a longtime customer of Briar Patch’s owner, Ron Michelson. A pipe smoker for most of his life, Comstock has a collection of several hundred pipes, of which his favorite is a Dunhill Group 5 Billiards. His favorite tobacco is McBaren Burley London Blend.

“I am a voracious reader. Among the thousands of books I have read are more than 800 murder mysteries, many of which I complained to my wife, Nancy, that were not very well done. She told me to write one myself if I thought I could do better. And so I have,” Comstock said.

Comstock said that he wrote most of the book during extended visits to the home in Carmel that his family has owned for some 85 years.

The hardcover book’s cover features a water color work by Sacramento artist Miles Hermann. Hermann’s work is currently being shown at Park Fine Art at 2673 21^st near Second Ave. in Sacramento.

In addition to promoting the book which will soon be available in book stores nationwide for $24, Comstock has several Sherlock Holmes short stories in the works and is already developing a sequel to ‘Reunion.’

About the Book

A brutal killer stalks Carmel. Police Chief Will Kempton must call on his long untested skills to save himself and his family and the village he has come to love. The Trail twists and turns as the hunter becomes the hunted and the crimes escalate. Unique characters and Carmel’s quirky politics are thrown in a mix not helpful to the chief. As time runs out, only desperate measures can save the day.

Comstock expressed his appreciation to Jan Haag, professor in the English Department at Sacramento City College, who served as editor on the project.

Comstock’s website is currently under construction.

About Briar Patch

Briar Patch Smoke Shops feature the largest inventories of premium cigars, pipes, pipe tobaccos and accessories in the area. The Loehmann’s Plaza location boasts the largest cigar humidor in Sacramento. The original Briar Patch is located at Arden Fair Mall, 1689 Arden Way.

“At both Briar Patch Smoke Shops and particularly at our new Diamond Crown Lounge in the Loehmann’s Plaza location, we have created an environment aimed at fostering leisurely pleasures where good friends and great cigars and pipes can come together. Although a smoke shop may be an unusual venue for a book signing, we’re pleased to be supporting Mr. Comstock’s latest literary venture,” Michelson said.

For more information about Briar Patch Smoke Shops, go to www.briarpatch.biz.

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IPCPR Urges Courtesy, Not Ban, at Bus Shelters In Winston-Salem, NC

Mr Nice Guy — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 20:22:00 GMT

Winston-Salem, North Carolina July 16, 2010 – The Winston-Salem (NC) Transit Authority is considering a ban on smoking in bus shelters but the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association says it has a better idea – post courtesy messages, instead.

The WSTA Board recently discussed the issue and plans to bring it up again at their next meeting, in response to a complaint by a single rider.

“The world is upside down,” said Chris McCalla, legislative director of the IPCPR. “There’s no need to ban smoking in bus shelters and, even if it were enacted, there would be virtually no practical way to enforce it. Just because one person complained, doesn’t mean thousands of other bus riders who happen to be smokers should be inconvenienced.”

The single complaint centered on the shelters on Hawthorne Road, near Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, where Center employees often go to smoke, away from the non-smoking hospital grounds.

“Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater,” said McCalla. “Instead of an outright ban, simply post signs reminding smokers to be considerate of others when there is a need for them to share a shelter with non-smokers. Smokers, by and large, are a considerate bunch and will appreciate the civil tradeoff.”

McCalla said it had nothing to do with alleged health factors regarding secondhand smoke.

“Imposing a smoking ban in bus shelters is the first step on a slippery slope that could lead to even more ridiculous conclusions,” he said.

Instead, McCalla believes posting signs urging smokers to display courtesy to non-smokers with whom they share bus shelters is the civil way to manage the situation.

“This way, everybody wins.”

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Tobacconists Say Denville, NJ Smoking Ban Penalties ‘Over the Top’

Mr Nice Guy — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 19:19:00 GMT

Denville, New Jersey July 15, 2010 – The International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association believes the recently enacted smoking ban in Denville, New Jersey is ‘over the top’ because, among other reasons, it could land errant smokers in jail.

The Denville town council earlier this week enacted an anti-smoking ordinance which is effective August 10 and will include parking lots, bleachers, playgrounds and adjoining sidewalks among the prohibited locations. A fine of up to $100 or up to two days of community service will be applied to first-time offenders which second-time offenders could face up to a $250 fine or five days of community service.

According to the ordinance, third time offenders will face up to a $500 fine or community service of at least 10 days or any combination of fine, imprisonment and community service determined by the municipal court.

The ordinance applies to cigars, cigarettes, pipes, ‘or any other matter or substance which contains tobacco.’

“This is over the top as far as abuse of individual rights goes,” said Chris McCalla, legislative director of the IPCPR. “Yes, many municipalities have banned smoking on city properties, but few equal the onerous penalties implied with Denville’s ban.”

McCalla wondered what the council’s motivation was.

“It can’t be claims of littering, because there are laws against littering and it doesn’t make sense to clutter the codes with more unenforced laws. It certainly can’t be related to secondhand smoke, because it has been proven that there are, indeed, safe levels of secondhand smoke as established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the United States Department of Labor, especially outdoors,” he said.

“We can only assume that the council has been duped by anti-smoking forces who use unscientific and often false claims to support their outlandish allegations.”

McCalla said that property owners – even cities – have the right to decide whether or not to allow or ban smoking on their properties. However, sentences of high fines, community service and even jail are ‘going too far.’

“There are other, more serious infractions of existing laws that don’t come near to the levels of penalties that could be applied to smoking ban offenders. That’s going too far. The council members have taken far too much power into their hands in an effort to legislate the behavior of their constituents,” McCalla said.

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