March 06, 2008 13:01 ET
Tax, Then Ban Makes No Sense Says Wisconsin Tobacconist
MILWAUKEE, WI--(Marketwire - March 6, 2008) - Jack Cummens of Jack's Tobacco & MCS in
Brookfield didn't like it when the state increased taxes from 25 percent to
50 percent on the wholesale prices of his premium cigars but he appreciated
the 50-cent tax cap placed on each 'stick.'
"Now they're talking about banning those same premium cigars from being
smoked in public places like cigar stores, taverns, bowling alleys, private
clubs and elsewhere. That just doesn't make sense," says Cummens who also
heads C-SAW, the Cigar Store Alliance of Wisconsin, and is a member of the
International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association.
Cummens says that what is at stake are the civil rights of all Wisconsin
citizens as well as tourists and others who visit or do business here.
"It's all about choice and economics. We must all join together -- smokers
and non-smokers -- to stop the state from regulating legal activities over
the rights of business owners and employers. Employers and owners of
businesses like bars, restaurants and cigar stores should continue to have
the right to choose whether or not their places of business would permit
smoking. By the same token, employees and consumers should also continue
to have the right to choose whether to patronize or work in such places,"
says Cummens.
"If smoking is banned in or around government buildings, that's their
business," Cummens says. "But private businesses like bars, taverns,
restaurants and cigar stores should have the right to decide whether or not
smoking would be allowed instead of having the government decide for them."
Cummens points out that premium cigars are a choice not a habit.
"They help make ordinary occasions special and special occasions
extraordinary. Besides, smoking in cigar stores is necessary for patrons
to sample products and make informed purchase decisions," he maintains.
"Cigar stores are destinations for smokers -- especially those who enjoy
premium cigars," adds Cummens. "There's no chance that a non-smoker would
accidentally walk into one."