Smoking Ban And Hookah Bars

[Bushbr]

Okay,I go to college in Minnesota, and last month the legislator, and did an indoor smoking ban in public places, and i was under the impression that there were no hookah bars in MN, upon further research, i saw a listing of hookah bars in Minneapolis, and St. Cloud.

Is the ban here in MN exempted for hookah bars, or were these places shut down?

anybody know? Edited October 29, 2007 by mushrat

[nicayotte]

I am not 100% sure but i think you can smoke in designated areas which a hookah bar would fall under seeing as they have a special license.

[boulderkid303]

Ask the bros at MN.

[Geiseric]

I'm in Minnesota too, and I have never seen one around where I live. Its not as bad as the on campus ban at UMD. There has been many a time that I have wished to light up a fat cigar after an exam... but alas, I was unable. Makes me glad I am living in an apartment.

[RayVer]

That really sucks if they state wouldnt be able to have hookah bars. how shitty

[Geiseric]

Minnesota is really bad in regards to all tobacco policy. Out tobacco tax is quite horrid too, I usually go over the bridge to Wisconsin to buy cigars, the price is so much better. Combine that with no smoking in bars, and no smoking on campus at almost all the University of Minnesota campuses, and you have no reason to make any purchases here unless you have to.

[staygone]

http://www.tobacco.org/news/253670.html

Looks like hookah bars get the shaft.

The two hookah bar that I've been to (on Central and in Dinky Town) weren't all that worth it imo. You are better off making one yourself.

-QM

[SomaliSmoke]

Hey bushbr, im living down in Burnsville;


If its a Hookah only place(like a hookah lounge) then it can stay open under the law. I don't know any places like that in the metro area. If it was a restaurant that also featured hookahs then they can only have hookahs outside on a deck area of some sort. But IT IS MINNESOTA after all, so its way to cold for that anymore. Unfortunately the last place you can go is a hookah restaurant in Eagen, owned by the guys at Mnhookah.com. Great food there by the way.

[Scheetz]

When I last spoke with Tarik with bouncing some ideas off each other he told me for MN law you must make something like 90% from tobacco sales to stay open.

[Geiseric]

I have some friends who live in Eagan, I'll have to check that place out next time I'm down there.

[SomaliSmoke]

When I last spoke with Tarik with bouncing some ideas off each other he told me for MN law you must make something like 90% from tobacco sales to stay open.

Its called the Meditarian Cafe, and its owned by the Mnhookah guys dad( i think). You can only smoke ouside, so go on a warm day, lol. Its right off of highway 13;

http://maps.google.com/maps?tab=wl

[Geiseric]

Well maybe not for like 6 months then. What a drag. I am by no means a capitalist, but I do find it ridiculous that a law prevents business owners from choosing to allow an otherwise legal activity in their place of business. Being as our country is primarily capitalist in nature, one would assume they would to a large degree follow the capitalist principle of allowing businesses to control their merchandise, as long as that was not causing forcible harm on customers. But, alas no, they pass laws based not in logic, or for the greater good, they pass laws on whats hip in the press right now. Pathetic.


*Edit*

Just had a thought... What if one were to open a 2 business chain, with the building designed in an I shape, with a cafe on one side, and a hookah bar on the other, the two connected by a enclosed space, but separated by doors, so that people who purchased food or drinks could go to the communal space and smoke? (longest run-on sentence, EVER, but whatever) I have not read the details of the law, you would probably have to dance around the law quite a bit... but, its possible, yes? Maybe tomorrow after class I'll look into the details of the law. Edited October 29, 2007 by Geiseric

[ahwahoo2006]

Combine that with no smoking in bars, and no smoking on campus at almost all the University of Minnesota campuses, and you have no reason to make any purchases here unless you have to.

You can't even smoke outside?

[Geiseric]

Nope. Bullshit, huh? There is some civil disobedience, but the fine if caught is harsh. Don't remember exactly what, but I'm pretty sure its over $100.

[ahwahoo2006]

How is that possibly legal. I can see getting away with saying something to the effect of no smoking within 20 feet of building entrances, but it is a public open space... wow.

[Johnny_D]

I know it's not directly relevant for you boys.

But in the uk the fines are £50 ($100) for the smoker.
The business that allows someone to smoke is fined £2500 ($5000)

Nice huh?

JD

[Geiseric]

This is one of the biggest problems with democracy, the decisions that the elite few that vote do not always reflect that of the majority, but rather of that was the current popular ideology, or that of their financiers. In regards to on-campus policy, when student groups get involved, the minorities who want to take away the rights of the majority often have the loudest voices. Ugh. Again, glad I live off campus, I don't know what I would do if I had to walk 1/2 mile every damn time I needed a smoke.