Cigar lovers asking for place to smoke inside
Feb 14, 2013, 2:14 PM | Updated: Feb 15, 2013, 5:28 am
Cigar lovers are asking the Washington legislature to consider allowing them a place to smoke inside. (AP Photo/file)
(AP Photo/file)
Washington has the strictest smoking ban law in the nation. But on Thursday, cigar lovers went to the legislature to ask that they be allowed to open cigar bars where they can smoke inside.
Representative Eric Pettigrew has sponsored House Bill 1750 that would allow indoor smoking at cigar-specific bars.
“Being able to have an opportunity to partake in a cigar, at a cigar lounge, at our individual choice, should be ours and not restricted by the state,” said Pettigrew.
State health secretary Mary Selecky is against the bill.
“We don’t want to increase the exposure to second-hand smoke at all, in fact we work every day to decrease it. Tobacco kills, second-hand smoke kills,” said Selecky.
Supporters say the only people exposed to the smoke would be people who choose to work at or frequent the bars who know what they are getting into.
Opponents say no one should be forced to deal with second-hand smoke in these shops.
