Cuba stuns smoking world with ban

Ban threatens momentum

Cuba’s shock decision to introduce fierce restrictions on smoking in public places wrong-footed even those close to the Cuban cigar industry.

But the move will be seized upon by the anti-smoking lobby, who regard Havana’s move as the most significant yet as campaigns to restrict smoking in public worldwide gathers momentum.

In a separate development, though, the British Government’s stance on the issue has driven a division between smokers of cigarettes and those of cigars. And it has provided the latter with a potential lifeline.

In Cuba the ban on smoking in public places will extend to public transport, theatres, schools, and food preparation areas. There will be restrictions in restaurants and a ban on public vending machines. The policy towards bars is still unclear.

Unlike other countries across the world, Cuba will not wait to introduce the ban: it came in to effect in early February.

An industry insider described the ban as a complete surprise, and said it was bad news for smokers everywhere. “The smoker has lost a big ally,” he said. “The anti smoking lobby will latch on to this. It’s a bit like Scotland banning whisky sales in public.”

Meanwhile the smoking issue continues to dominate in Britain, too. But the pub sector is getting itself in to a mess over the issue. Pub group Wetherspoons, never slow to adopt a populist campaign, is planning a total smoking ban in some pubs by May of this year, and in another 635 outlets by next year.

Almost certainly other foodproducing pubs will be forced to follow suit. But the industry has hit out at Government plans to restrict smoking where meals are served because it says it will drive customers back in to non-food drinking and smoking bars, even though it is also committed to reduce binge drinking.

But a move to separate food consumption and smoking could work to the advantage of the cigar sector, prompting an investment in dedicated cigar bars and rooms, where premium after dinner drinks are served alongside a comprehensive range of top cigars.

Section : News

Page number : 4

Published in Cigar Buyer Issue 3 on 01/05/2005.

This article is 69 months old and some information provided may be time sensitive. Please check all details of events, tours, opening times and other information before travelling or making arrangements.



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	Cuba stuns smoking world with ban Ban threatens momentum Cuba’s shock decision to introduce fierce restrictions on smoking in public places wrong-footed even those close to the Cuban cigar industry. But the move will be seized upon by the anti-smoking lobby, who regard Havana’s move as the most significant yet as campaigns to restrict smoking in public worldwide gathers momentum. In a separate development, though, the British Government’s stance on the issue has driven a division between smokers of cigarettes and those of cigars. And it has provided the latter with a potential lifeline. In Cuba the ban on smoking in public places will extend to public transport, theatres, schools, and food preparation areas. There will be restrictions in restaurants and a ban on public vending machines. The policy towards bars is still unclear. Unlike other countries across the world, Cuba will not wait to introduce the ban: it came in to effect in early February. An industry insider described the ban as a complete surprise, and said it was bad news for smokers everywhere. “The smoker has lost a big ally,” he said. “The anti smoking lobby will latch on to this. It’s a bit like Scotland banning whisky sales in public.” Meanwhile the smoking issue continues to dominate in Britain, too. But the pub sector is getting itself in to a mess over the issue. Pub group Wetherspoons, never slow to adopt a populist campaign, is planning a total smoking ban in some pubs by May of this year, and in another 635 outlets by next year. Almost certainly other foodproducing pubs will be forced to follow suit. But the industry has hit out at Government plans to restrict smoking where meals are served because it says it will drive customers back in to non-food drinking and smoking bars, even though it is also committed to reduce binge drinking. But a move to separate food consumption and smoking could work to the advantage of the cigar sector, prompting an investment in dedicated cigar bars and rooms, where premium after dinner drinks are served alongside a comprehensive range of top cigars. By Section : News Page number : 4 Published in Cigar Buyer Issue 3 on 01/05/2005. Subscribe Buy this issue More from this issue Preview other issues This article is 69 months old and some information provided may be time sensitive. Please check all details of events, tours, opening times and other information before travelling or making arrangements. Copyright Cigar Buyer © 1999-2010. All rights reserved. To use or reproduce part or all of this article please contact us for details of how you can do so legally.