If you live in Baltimore, then you would know about this by now. In fact, I distinctly remember writing about this piece of legislation some time ago. I didn’t think that it would ever be passed for sure but I guess I was wrong. According to the Baltimore Examiner, starting October 1 of this year, you can only buy cheap cigars in packs of 5s. I guess it is not such a big deal for those who smoke regularly. Buying 5 cigars is not something unusual, especially if you buy the brand that you normally smoke.
What has gotten under my skin is the prevailing attitude that I am sensing regarding the issue. Take this quote from Mayor Sheila Dixon. According to the article I just read, she said “These products are addictive and deadly. And yet, cheap cigars often carry no health label at all.â€
Addictive and deadly, ok. These could very well be true. But then again, cigar shop owners and cigar smokers do not force other people to buy them, right? I mean, everyone knows the potential health hazards that smoking cigars pose. This brings me to the second sentence – the one about the health labels. Come on now, cigarettes have labels all over them. Have these things stopped smokers from buying cartons upon cartons of cigarettes? In countries like Thailand, they even have gross pictures on the cartons, in an effort to discourage people from buying them. But do people stop? No!
All I am saying is that you can’t stop people from smoking if they want to. Don’t use that as an excuse for some politicking.
Originally posted on January 17, 2009 @ 10:03 am