Another Smoking Ban

Residents and Businesses in New Hope Pennsylvania received a letter in late November from the Borough Council President announcing his plans to try and pass a smoking ban in town. The letter below is a "big-picture" response on my part.


Borough Council President
Richard Hirschfield
New Hope Borough
41 North Main St.
New Hope, PA 18938


Dear President Hirschfield:

I am writing this letter in response to your notification that you will be pursuing a smoking ban in public places. I am saddened by the thought since New Hope continues to be one of the most tolerant communities in America, where personal freedoms and the pursuit of happiness is still defined by the individual. In America, consumers vote with their pocketbooks and people have the choice to visit smoking or non-smoking establishments. Workers also have the choice to apply for jobs in smoking or non-smoking businesses. Private businesses have the right to allow legal activities to take place on their premises: in fact that is often their competitive advantage. The converse of this statement is also true: non-smoking businesses have a competitive advantage which their patrons appreciate and reward with their loyalty.

I would agree that smoking is one of the most extreme and potentially unhealthy personal choices, but it is still legal. Years ago, we used to speculate that after smoking was limited through legislation, that fat people and obesity were next. And that is exactly what is happening: new laws are already being passed limiting what oils restaurants can cook with, and this is just the beginning. In the name of the “Health and Welfare” of the population, politicians and legislators are taking away every right that makes being an American valuable. Yet, personal choice is the foundation of liberty. Just this month, voters in Germany renounced a broad ban on smoking, limiting the new laws to government offices and places where people do not have a reasonable choice to be, such as public transportation. Many publications have reported how older Germans find such legislation distasteful since the Nazis banned smoking over six decades ago. I would urge you to lead through education and example and let our culture evolve through its own enlightenment rather than because of unnecessary laws which restrict our freedoms.


Sincerely,


Jorge Luis Armenteros, CMT

The Dose Makes the Poison

Perhaps it is my life's mission to bring some credibility back to luxury tobacco, and help separate this civilized, natural pursuit from nicotine delivery systems (chemically enhanced cigarettes). The physiology of nicotine absorption is the key to understanding why cigarettes are addictive and cigars and pipe tobaccos are not. As with so many of the things we consume in a healthy manner, the dose is what makes the poison. Extremely high levels of almost any substance will hurt us. With nicotine, the quantity that is absorbed by the body, and the frequency at which we absorb it, determines whether or not it is addictive. Cigarettes are generally made from light tobaccos which are easily inhaled. Cigarette smoke, and all of the chemicals and carcinogens that come with it, are easily absorbed by the lungs. Cigar and Pipe smoke is not inhaled, and therefore the nicotine that is absorbed throughout the mouth is far less than with cigarettes. This is the fundamental reason why Cigar and Pipe smokers do not suffer from addiction like cigarette smokers. In addition, premium cigars and pipe tobaccos do not contain the chemicals and additives which are common in commercial cigarettes. Ultimately, the time you take to savor a quality cigar or pipe tobacco is the real reward, not the ingestion of small amounts of nicotine.

Stress Kills

While watching the news yesterday, I re-learned what most enlightened and open-minded people already know: stress kills. The medical expert on the show was discussing new studies which show how extreme anger causes 100,000 more deaths (in the U.S.) per year than all cancers combined. Extreme anger and stress kill more people than cigarettes! Sadly, we live in a time and culture that does not value the benefits of relaxation. But, as any lover of premium and luxury tobacco can tell you, there are few things which will add as much to the quality of your life as a great cigar or bowl of pipe tobacco. So whether your idea of relaxation involves watching the sunset, soaking in the tub, seeing a movie, a candle lit dinner, some good music, yoga, or simple meditation, you may very well benefit from lighting up a great cigar. Perhaps the only thing of value in this life is our time, so we should be making more effort to savor it. And remember the facts, the National Cancer Institute says there are no known negative health effects from the consumption of less than one cigar per day. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy yourself.

Luxury Tobacco

We believe that the best cigar or pipe Tobacco in the world is your favorite. We assert that your passion for Tobacco is a natural luxury which is rooted in great traditions and history. The moderate consumption of luxury Tobacco is a healthy and enlightened human pleasure.

Luxury Tobacco- Tobacco products which are created by master craftsmen utilizing premium quality tobacco and intended to be enjoyed while savoring your time. Luxury tobacco is never homogenized, commoditized, or used out of habit or addiction.