Tobacco Products Banned at Pharmacies & Large Retail Outlets

[cgrd]

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/ndp-expands-ban-on-sale-of-tobacco-products-208792351.html

THE sale of tobacco products will be banned in health-care facilities and pharmacies, including drugstores and large retail outlets such as Safeway and Superstore, as of May 31 on World No Tobacco Day. The new rule banning tobacco sales also prohibits the sale of cigarette rolling papers, cigarette tubes, cigarette filters, cigarette makers or pipes or anything used in association with smoking tobacco.

If an affected business wants to continue to sell tobacco products they must build "a separate retail area so pharmacy customers cannot access the section where tobacco and tobacco-related products are sold except through an exterior doorway."
Now, bear in mind that currently, no matter what, unless you're an 18+ establishment in this province, all tobacco products must be behind an opaque enclosure, or covered with a curtain. In most grocery stores, it's stored in a locked unit behind the customer service desk. What I see this doing is killing the sales of OTC blends in this province. I know I'm going to go out and buy a couple pouches of Amphora Red before it becomes an "exotic" tobacco 'round these parts.
The pharmacist's association sees it as a positive move because it's "a chance to promote healthier lifestyles." I feel if a pharmacist doesn't want to sell it in their pharmacy, then please don't. It should be a choice, not a legal mandate.

 

[jndyer]

The amount of hate that irrational people can generate is scary. Whatever happened to the adage, live and let live. Sorry that this is happening in your neck of the world.

 

[lumberjakpipester]

It's been that way here in New-Brunswick for a while already, and it really didn't change much, Sobey's now have awesome little smoke shop with an external door that sells Medico and Brigham pipes as well as a good dozen blends(for 20$ a pouch mind you). As much as I hate the anti-smoking lobby and they nonsensical laws, this one is really no biggie, it's more for show than anything else, they have and will continue to do much worse. My 0.02$

 

[blendtobac]

I, for one, will plan on not letting my pipe go cold for a minute on May 31 in honor of the non-holiday. Sorry that they've taken another step in trying to control peoples' lives.
Russ

 

[spartan]

+1 Russ
I'll be lighting up all my pipes next Friday as well.
P.S. Just discovered your Stogie blend. LOVE IT!

 

[daytonsean]

I haven't read anything about this yet; is it in Canada or the States?

 

[ravkesef]

The time will come when our tobacco will come in a plain brown wrapper--God forbid! BTW--I'm a former Winnipegger myself. I've walked across the Salter Bridge in midwinter, and crossed the street at Portage and Main in January. Of course now, with the underground tunnel, it's no longer legal to do that either.

 

[lumberjakpipester]

I also plan on making it a point to place a HUGE tobacco order on the 31, as well as smoke all day, preferably in a public space!

 

[4dotsasieni]

A SEPARATE ENTRANCE??? What will the legislators think of next?
By the way, there used to be a tobacconist at The Forks in Winnipeg - do you know if they're still there?

 

[numbersix]

I have no problem with public awareness campaigns showing how cigarettes and inhaling tobacco can harm one's health, but when it becomes illegal and people may face fines or even jail - it's gone too far.
This is just another nail in the coffin for us who love the pipe. It's the classic story of boiling a frog to death by very slowly raising the temperature of the water. The anti-tobacco zealots are slowly raising the temperature by adding one little law after the other.
I sometimes think we need lobbyists of our own, one funded by everyone being impacted by these laws: tobacco shops, growers, smokers, etc.. A sort of kickstarter fund to fight the anti-tobacco lobbyists. The shame of it is, neither logic nor public opinion changes laws - it's cold hard cash.

 

[plateauguy]

It's like water on a rock, little by little, each step in the direction that the PC police want.
Porn is easier to get - just go to the computers in the public library, by the kid's area (so I've seen on tv). That's called "freedom of speach", and some little old lady librarian will fight to the death for you. On the other hand, that same little old lady will stomp on you for lighting up.
I never thought I'd see the day when wrong was right and personal freedom was so politically defined.

 

[cgrd]

@ravkesef - Crossing Portage & Main? Before my time There's usually a mayoral candidate who promises to reopen it to pedestrians, but it ain't happened yet.
@4dotsasieni - The fine wine market at The Forks has a walk in cigar humidor.
I hope lumberjakpipester has it right, there may be positive unintended consequences and new tobacco stores open, but I think it'll just send more business to the gas stations and convenience stores, while reducing availability of OTC pipe tobacco. We'll see!

 

[locopony]

Until we stand up for ourselves this will continue. But each and every offence we tuck and retreat to the next safe haven. Im sorry but your gonna have to get active. There are more smokers than any other group. Those other groups are making headway in leaps and bounds. Its time we do the same. Civil disobedience, sit ins, and get the facts out. We are gonna have to joon with cigarette and cigar smokers and push for the nonsense to end.

Look back through the threads on suff like this.

Some pla e is trying to bann smoking in your own car, one town is trying to bann smoking in public. And I know of a town that has banned smoking in tour front yard where you can be seen. In Houston you cant smoke inside any building even a bar. There is no smoking in any restaurants anywhere anymore, and more and more they are banning smoking on side walks. Austin has a ban on smoking with in twenty feet of a door. Now try smoking down town or outside of the shops. The shops are all side by side and the doors are thirty feet between. So no matter what you are with in twenty feet of one or the other door.

 

[JimInks]

Apparently, North Carolina is seeking to relax some tobacco bans. http://charlotte.news14.com/content/top_stories/694097/state-lawmakers-seek-to-relax-smoking-bans

 

[boudreaux]

I can see where pipe tobacco smoking is different than ciggies. But then, there is the distinction between thos baccs with a wonderful room note and those enjoyed purely for the taste, so it becomes a case of splitting hairs.
Ever sat in a restaurant to enjoy a tasty meal when someone at the table next to you lights up a disgusting smelling stogie? Eeeeeyyyyyyukkkkk! And then that stink coats all of your clothes so that you bring it home to "enjoy it" a second time.
I am, in many ways, in agreement with this pipe smokers group. But like others, I do draw the line in certain situations as described above.