Moving on Up - Robert Graham

Robert Graham in Edinburgh is at the frontline of the smoking ban. Rob Allanson sees how it’s getting on

When it comes to busy tourist centres, Edinburgh’s Rose Street can put up a fight with the best.

The mecca for international visitors, the setting for many a stag or hen night and pub crawls (sometimes literally), this famous street also draws smokers in search of some of the best cigars on the market.

Nestled at one end of Rose Street, providing a haven for smokers looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the crowds, is Robert Graham, whisky merchant and tobacconist.

Although in these post Scottish smoking ban times you cannot sample in the shop, there is nothing to stop you smoking outside watching the crowds rush past as you relax with your favourite stick.

The Scottish Parliament passed the Smoking, Health and Social Care (Scotland) Bill, which was introduced in December 2004.

A total ban on smoking in all enclosed public places came in to force on March 26 this year.

The Scottish Licensed Trade Association’s active campaign at the time failed to win any concessions, as did attempts by the Association of Independent Tobacco Specialists (AITS) and Hunters and Frankau to gain an exemption for smoking in a small number of specialist tobacconist shops in Scotland.

Manager Fraser Gilchrist says although it is too early to assess the full effects of the Scottish ban a few interesting phenomena have arisen.

“So far we have not seen much effect from the ban,” the 25-year-old adds. “However we have had a couple of non-smokers take up cigars as a form of protest against t.....

To read the rest of this article you can buy this issue or subscribe to Cigar Buyer to have every issue delivered direct to your door.

By Rob Allanson

Section : Cigar Interviews

Page number : 10

Published in Cigar Buyer Issue 8 on 20/05/2006.

This article is 74 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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	Moving on Up - Robert Graham Robert Graham in Edinburgh is at the frontline of the smoking ban. Rob Allanson sees how it’s getting on When it comes to busy tourist centres, Edinburgh’s Rose Street can put up a fight with the best. The mecca for international visitors, the setting for many a stag or hen night and pub crawls (sometimes literally), this famous street also draws smokers in search of some of the best cigars on the market. Nestled at one end of Rose Street, providing a haven for smokers looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the crowds, is Robert Graham, whisky merchant and tobacconist. Although in these post Scottish smoking ban times you cannot sample in the shop, there is nothing to stop you smoking outside watching the crowds rush past as you relax with your favourite stick. The Scottish Parliament passed the Smoking, Health and Social Care (Scotland) Bill, which was introduced in December 2004. A total ban on smoking in all enclosed public places came in to force on March 26 this year. The Scottish Licensed Trade Association’s active campaign at the time failed to win any concessions, as did attempts by the Association of Independent Tobacco Specialists (AITS) and Hunters and Frankau to gain an exemption for smoking in a small number of specialist tobacconist shops in Scotland. Manager Fraser Gilchrist says although it is too early to assess the full effects of the Scottish ban a few interesting phenomena have arisen. “So far we have not seen much effect from the ban,” the 25-year-old adds. “However we have had a couple of non-smokers take up cigars as a form of protest against t..... To read the rest of this article you can buy this issue or subscribe to Cigar Buyer to have every issue delivered direct to your door. By Rob Allanson Section : Cigar Interviews Page number : 10 Published in Cigar Buyer Issue 8 on 20/05/2006. Subscribe Buy this issue More from this issue Preview other issues This article is 74 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 © 1999-2012. 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.