As interest in cigars grew, venues catering specifically to cigar enthusiasts emerged in kind, a fantastic development for cigar heads. When "brothers of the leaf" congregate among themselves, there's no worries about offending other's sensibilities. Certainly makes sense to us!

Unfortunately, it's been noted that the modern anti-smoking movement isn't about encouraging people to quit smoking-it's about forcing them to quit by essentially making it illegal to smoke anywhere. First ban smoking in common public indoor areas. Then in public outdoor areas. Then in private homes. No joke-the trend is real, and anti-smoking zealots have made their intentions known.

Smoke-free workplace advocates seek no prisoners when it come to fulfilling their part of the agenda. They've grouped together to compile a blueprint for anti-smoking advocates to use in lobbying for smoking bans. Their position is illuminating: don't settle for a weak law, in fact fight for its defeat and try again. "Remember, having no law is better than having a weak or ineffective law," they say, noting that weak laws could interfere from the goal of a complete smoke-free society. Exemptions are dealbreakers, and that includes provisions to smoke cigars in a cigar shop. Say what? "All employees, no matter where they are employed, deserve the right to breathe clean air at work," they state. Cigar enthusiasts that run cigar shops needs the government to force upon them the "right" to a smoke-free workplace? What non-smoker would want to work in a cigar shop? And what shop owner worth their salt would hire employees who aren't interested in cigars?

Not everyone is buying into the totalitarian backlash approach against smoking, however. Following several years of deadlocked votes and stalling in both houses, the Michigan legislature has approved a statewide smoking ban. Consenting adult cigar smokers will be happy to know the bill exempts retail cigar shops, despite the fact that such dealbreaker exemptions are "no longer the norm," according to activists.