Boston health board may stamp out cigar bars

In the cozy confines of a former speakeasy in Boston’s North End, men and women gather nightly to sip cognac and savor a cigar.
But these days, Stanza dei Sigari, the cigar lovers’ respite on Hanover Street, isn’t so relaxed.
On Thursday, the Boston Public Health Commission will vote on a tough smoking ban that could put this cigar bar, and others like it, out of business.
“I think it’s kind of unconstitutional, telling people not to smoke in a controlled environment,” said Linda Riccio, one of the owners of the dark-paneled saloon.
“Where will it end?” she asked. “Are they going to tell people they can’t smoke on the streets?”
The city’s health officials may expand Boston’s ban on workplace smoking by prohibiting smoking in cigar and hookah bars, on restaurant patios and loading docks.
The proposed rules seek to ban tobacco sales on college campuses and in drug stores, too.
While critics say the move goes too far, Roger Swartz, director of the health commission’s community initiatives bureau, said the new rules are intended to protect people from the ills of tobacco, in all its forms.
The proposal has sparked an outcry among cigar aficionados.
Since September, when the health commission gave preliminary approval to the new regulations, the commission has received hundreds of complaints.
Most are protesting the proposed smoking ban in cigar bars, health commission spokeswoman Ann Scales said.
To Riccio and other supporters, this ban would unnecessarily limit a beloved adult activity.
Riccio’s clients include businessmen, doctors and guys from the neighborhood.
“They come here to smoke, and they know what they are doing,” she said.Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1137759

Makers Mark Seasoned 74.915

My wife bought this and thought I would enjoy it. I have always heard this was not a very good cigar, and I do not like 'boutique' type cigars or flavored cigars in general. I much prefer a cigar that has tastes that differ because of the different tobbacco's used in the filler and wrapper. Anyway, I was actually suprised that this was not a lousy cigar and was fairly mild. You can taste the flavor they tried to impart on the wrapper, but let me tell you, it is nowhere near the good flavor of Makers Mark Bourbon. I am glad to have tried it, but there are a lot better cigars out there for the $14.00 price tag on this. I gave this one a low appearance rating because the wrapper was a little loose and caused it to have a canoe effect while smoking.