UK smoking laws....oh my!

[HeyJeeb]

Hello Ladies and Gentlemen,

I realize anyone replying is probably not a lawyer and probably not from the UK either but here goes...

I am a businessman looking for a new business. One of my more recent hobbies is cigar smoking, I'm new to the scene, less than a month so far! I see a REAL need for a cigar bar, cigar divan, gentlemans club styled establishment in my area. Now that I've looked in to it a little (only 24 hours so far ), I see why there aren't any......it's probably illegal due to the pain-in-the-ass smoke-free laws of 2007.

I was completely disheartened to have found out this type of business has been outlawed. Then I came across a spark of hope when I came across the following - http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2007/uksi_20070765_en_1#pt2-l1g7 (7 - Specialist Tobacconists). What is your interpretation of that legal speak? Now, I will get a lawyer to explain it to me but it's a Saturday night and I'd like to get the average Joe's interpretation first. Kill my dream or give me a spark of hope

Could I open up a cigar shop (specialist tobacconist) that contains a rather large 'sampling' area? Does 'sampling' refer to 'no money exchanged' or can these 'samples' be purchased and then 'sampled' on the premises? You see what I'm hoping for here

Would offering alcohol completely change things? I believe offering a drink would be required for a successful venture, top liquor of course. Select bottled beers, wine and spirits. I don't believe I could offer any food as I know there are more strict laws with food and smoking and I'm really not interested in the food side of things.

If no-ones doing it then it's not possible......I'm not going to accept that right now as maybe no-ones put enough thought in to it yet or no-one is willing to 'test' the current law.

The smoke-free laws are meant for public areas and ideally I would NOT like my establishment to be open to the public (too much riff-raff nowadays). I would like a members only place, with members paying an annual fee for access to the members or 'sampling' area. Members would hopefully be able to bring along a couple of guests but that's more legal stuff to look into.

So Gentlemen, what's your interpretation?

Thank you all!
Greg

 

[Devil Doc]

They already took your guns. Ain't much you can do about it. :laugh: By the way, welcome. Being a proper Brit and all, perhaps you could introduce yourself in the proper forum.

Doc.

 

[HeyJeeb]

They already took your guns. Ain't much you can do about it. :laugh: By the way, welcome. Being a proper Brit and all, perhaps you could introduce yourself in the proper forum.

Doc.

That's not what I want to here Devil Doc....Damn you!

 

[Devil Doc]

You can spell the Great Bard's name but you don't know the difference between here and hear? :whistling:

Doc.

 

[HeyJeeb]

You can spell the Great Bard's name but you don't know the difference between here and hear? :whistling:

Doc.

Touche

Steer clear of alkeehol.

 

[HeyJeeb]

Back on topic.....

Is the smoke-free exemption regulations simply stating the sampling area must not interfere with the surrounding public areas? As long as it is attached (and therefore part of) the tobaconist shop, it is permitted?


I don't like the way the UK government seems to try and stop people socializing and interacting with each other in a place where the people want to be! A non-cigar smoker wouldn't dream of entering the place so, where's the harm to innocent people? Where would any complaints come from? If we want to get together with like-minded people for a smoke and a chat....there's no-where to go and that's not good for society. We have to smoke on our own in our own domicile....it's a shame.

 

[baldheadracing]

Back on topic.....

Is the smoke-free exemption regulations simply stating the sampling area must not interfere with the surrounding public areas? As long as it is attached (and therefore part of) the tobaconist shop, it is permitted?


I don't like the way the UK government seems to try and stop people socializing and interacting with each other in a place where the people want to be! A non-cigar smoker wouldn't dream of entering the place so, where's the harm to innocent people? Where would any complaints come from? If we want to get together with like-minded people for a smoke and a chat....there's no-where to go and that's not good for society. We have to smoke on our own in our own domicile....it's a shame.

http://www.fctc.org
The UK signed the treaty in 2003, and ratified it in 2004. It isn't "seems to try;" it is a complying with the conditions of the treaty. Done deal.

 

[Rodrigo de Jerez]

JJ Fox has a 'sampling' policy in place. Maybe you ought to kindly request to speak with their management. I'm not so sure how keen Big Brother is on allowing tobacco related establishments to pop up. So far as I understand, smoking has mainly been taken to the streets.

-Mark