Cigar Victims

Read this "news" blurb in today's Wichita Eagle — it's really more of an ad — and then read what I have to say. Then, let me know what you think.

Tour allows one last puff at three restaurants

Stogie aficionados can take a smoking tour tonight of three restaurants that will go smoke-free when the city of Wichita's partial ban takes effect Thursday. Businesses must ban smoking or build a separate smoking room if they admit people under 18. ABC Discount Smoke Shop & Fine Cigars has arranged for a party bus to leave Finn's bar, 800 E. First St., at 6 p.m. Monday. It will travel to Old Chicago West, Yia Yia's Euro Bistro and Fox & Hound English Pub before returning to Finn's at 11 p.m. The trip costs $25 per person and includes the bus, a T-shirt, a cigar and appetizers or desserts at the three restaurants. To sign up, call the smoke shop, 316-688-0112. -- Eagle staff

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The only thing sadder than the arrival of this ridiculous "ban" is the fact that several corporations are exploiting cigar smokers in this way. Fine cigars, like other pleasures in life, are meant to be savored at a leisurely pace in the company of friends. The idea of someone cramming a bunch of folks into a bus and richocheting them around the city for a puff here and there (while gobbling appetizers and pastries to boot) is repulsive and smacks of cheap opportunism. This sounds more like one of those "see a dozen European countries on Greyhound in a week" kind of things. Forgive me if I pass on this and the stupid T-shirt. And shame on the restaurants who are trying to wring one last visit from excellent customers, while kicking them out the door. I will never do business with the smoke shop, its liquor store, or the three restaurants again — and I'll bet no other serious cigar smokers do, either. There are other places and other opportunities for people of fine taste.