BS: Tobacco Sales Banned in San Francisco

Subject: RE: BS: Tobacco Sales Banned in San Francisco
From: Peace
Date: 30 Jul 08 - 12:54 PM

"Shaving your whiskers is a pretty weird thing to do anyway."

THAT was a good one, McG of H.

Subject: RE: BS: Tobacco Sales Banned in San Francisco
From: PoppaGator
Date: 30 Jul 08 - 12:51 PM

I hate tobacco smoke, but many of the legal strategies for curbing sales of tobacco, including this one, seem wrongheaded to me, and often even counterproductive. One particular kind of store loses a source of income, but consumers can still buy the offending product easily enough, from a competitor.

I do understand the idea that pharmacies shouldn't be in the business of selling an addicitive drug that is so hazardous to the user's health and has no countervening redeeming qualities. But the fact is, tobacco sales are customary in drugstores in the US, and because it is an especially profitable product, businesses accustomed to selling large quantities depend upon continued sales to maintain a balanced set of books.

On a related note:

A couple of years ago, one of our cherished local institutions in New Orleans, the K&B drugstore chain, was taken over by a nationwide pharmacy business, Rite Aid. Rite Aid immediately announced that alcoholic beverages would no longer be sold in the former K&B stores that they were taking over. (Out-of-towners are often surprised at the easy availability of such beverages in Louisiana ~ big beer coolers in supermarkets and pharmacies, no hours or days when sales are forbidden, etc.)

I don't remember exactly which year this occurred, but I DO remember that it was late winter, shortly before Mardi Gras. Several of K&B's largest and busiest outlets were located at major intersections along St. Charles Avenue, the main parade route; needless to say, these outlets enjoyed HUGE sales of beer, wine, and every other kind of booze imaginable during the two weeks of nightly parades, plus the all-day celebrations on Saturdays, Sundays, and the concluding Fat Tuesday. (They sold plenty throughout the rest of the year as well, of course, but Carnival Time was and is especially busy in this regard.)

Rite Aid pharmacies had never sold alcohol in any of the other US localities where they had gobbled up local drugstore businesses, and they were briefly insistent upon maintaining this nationwide policy in New Orleans. However, someone must have shown them the sales records from previous Februaries, because as the various K&B's around town reopened as Rite Aids, the beer coolers, wine racks, and liquor departments remained in place (and remain so today.)

Incidentally, when they first took over, Rite-Aid also announced that products of Coca Cola Bottlers would be discontinued, since the corporation had an exclusive contract with Pepsi. ("No Coke, Pepsi," to quote John Belushi.) For whatever unknown reason, Coke outsells Pepsi by a wider margin in the New Orleans metro area than anywhere else in the world, and that announcement met nearly as much public outrage as the no-alcohol proposal. Rite Aid had to back down on that one, too: today, you can buy both rum AND Coke at any neighborhood Rite Aid in New Orleans.

Subject: RE: BS: Tobacco Sales Banned in San Francisco
From: John on the Sunset Coast
Date: 30 Jul 08 - 12:29 PM

"Candy, cookies and chewing gum are not harmful in moderation or harmful to others."--They are if you're diabetic.

"Perhaps they should be banned form selling such to people who need the weight loss products?"--That's as intolerable as a general ban. If one is 400# why should they not be able to eat what they want? Maybe Blacks should not be allowed to buy watermelon, as that is often considered a demeaning stereotype. Where do we stop?

"That one is just silly. Razor blades are for shaving."--I almost gave you that one. However people do accidentally cut themselves with razor blades. Some people even try to kill themselves with razor blades. Perhaps we could just give Rorschachs to people to assure they just want to shave?

So, perhaps my examples are silly or extreme, but no sillier nor more extreme than these governmental regulations. Jack, while I agree it sends a bad message, it should not be the call of the city or state...but of the purchaser or the store.

Subject: RE: BS: Tobacco Sales Banned in San Francisco
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 30 Jul 08 - 12:25 PM

Shaving your whiskers is a pretty weird thing to do anyway.

Subject: RE: BS: Tobacco Sales Banned in San Francisco
From: GUEST,DV
Date: 30 Jul 08 - 11:51 AM

The 9/11 hijackers used box cutter razor blades to hijack the planes.

I think we should start collecting the DNA of everyone who shaves with razor blades. to keep us safe from terrorism.

Subject: RE: BS: Tobacco Sales Banned in San Francisco
From: GUEST,Jack the Sailor
Date: 30 Jul 08 - 11:47 AM

Marion et. al--
Pharmacies and drugstores sell cigarettes and anti-smoking products.
Pharmacies often sell candy, cookies, chewing gum, along with insulin and diabetic supplies.
Candy, cookies and chewing gum are not harmful in moderation or harmful to others.

A few (very few unfortunately) still have soda fountains where one can get 1000+ calorie, gooey ice cream treats, offset by weight loss products.

Perhaps they should be banned form selling such to people who need the weight loss products?

Pharmacies sell razor blades and bandages.

That one is just silly. Razor blades are for shaving.

Customers can choose on their own what to purchase there; conversely, the stores on their own can decide which comfort products to sell or not. But for a governmental entity to decide for them??????

Pharmacists are government regulated health care professionals. It does send a bad message. I would not oppose applying the same rules to all stores with pharmacies.

Subject: RE: BS: Tobacco Sales Banned in San Francisco
From: Peace
Date: 30 Jul 08 - 11:46 AM

The sale of cigarettes is one of the most two-faced things our governments participate in. But the cash grab in the form of taxes is too good for them to let go.

Subject: RE: BS: Tobacco Sales Banned in San Francisco
From: John on the Sunset Coast
Date: 30 Jul 08 - 11:43 AM

".........similarly, I heard that in the Netherlands [Holland] they've banned 'baccy smoking in pubs & cafes, but it's still ok to smoke cannabis!"

Confirmed.

Emailed my son in Amsterdam, since in May (when we visited him) this was not the case. He replied, "started 1 July. Funnily enough, inside coffee shops, smoking grass or hash is still OK, but one cannot mix tobacco in the joints, as is normally done. Substitutes have been tried."

And a cleaned up Red Light District! I suppose Thailand is next! LOL

Subject: RE: BS: Tobacco Sales Banned in San Francisco
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 30 Jul 08 - 11:41 AM

Can you still buy other stuff to smoke?

Subject: RE: BS: Tobacco Sales Banned in San Francisco
From: Emma B
Date: 30 Jul 08 - 11:21 AM

I have also noticed this news item...

'In Alberta, Canada, a near-total smoking ban goes into effect. Smoking is banned on patios and outside entrances, but hotels, private homes and federally registered work places remain exempt. The Tobacco Reduction Act will also ban retail displays and tobacco sales in pharmacies (1 January).'

I can't remember cigarettes ever being on sale in pharmacies in the UK and, even to a self-confessed smoker, it does seem a somewhat inappropiate product to sell.

Another example of that old American/British difference ? :)

Subject: RE: BS: Tobacco Sales Banned in San Francisco
From: John on the Sunset Coast
Date: 30 Jul 08 - 11:08 AM

Marion et. al--
Pharmacies and drugstores sell cigarettes and anti-smoking products.
Pharmacies often sell candy, cookies, chewing gum, along with insulin and diabetic supplies. A few (very few unfortunately) still have soda fountains where one can get 1000+ calorie, gooey ice cream treats, offset by weight loss products.
Pharmacies sell razor blades and bandages.
Customers can choose on their own what to purchase there; conversely, the stores on their own can decide which comfort products to sell or not. But for a governmental entity to decide for them??????


Big Mick--why would you think that I, or anyone here, would lie about something so easily checked out. Is 'reactionary' the word of the day on this penultimate day of July?

Subject: RE: BS: Tobacco Sales Banned in San Francisco
From: GUEST,DV
Date: 30 Jul 08 - 10:55 AM

Uncle DaveO, I am the only contributor to this thread, besides Big Mick, who mentioned the LA City Council story to which Big Mick referred in his post, where he said "...when reactionaries post comments designed to bolster their own prejudices."

That is a pretty pointed remark. To whom might he have been referring with that comment, if not me?

Subject: RE: BS: Tobacco Sales Banned in San Francisco
From: Marion
Date: 30 Jul 08 - 10:47 AM

Actually, I can see the logic behind singling out pharmacies for this ban. A pharmacy isn't just another business -it's a part of the health care system, and is run by registered health care professionals who are bound by a code of professional ethics. It does seem unethical for a pharmacist to endorse and profit from smoking.

There is precedent for putting limits on enterprise for pharmacies. For example, a convenience store or newsstand is there as a private business and can choose which products to stock based on what they feel will bring them the most profits. But a pharmacy is not free to only supply the drugs that have higher profit margins - they are obliged to sell any drug that can be prescribed by a doctor or nurse practitioner.

I know there is controversy over whether pharmacists with religious objections should be obliged to sell OTC emergency contraception - but the fact that this is even controversial reflects the fact that pharmacists have a professional obligation to act in the interests of health. If a religious convenience store owner doesn't want to sell condoms, that's not a matter for controversy, because the convenience store is a purely private enterprise.

PS to Rapaire - nicotine gums and patches are quite a different story in that they have a pro-health purpose - so it is consistent with pharmacists' ethics and mission to provide them.

Subject: RE: BS: Tobacco Sales Banned in San Francisco
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 30 Jul 08 - 10:45 AM

Guest,DV, where did Big Mick even refer to you, much less make a personal attack on you? I count three posts from him in this thread, and I can't see where any of them could be characterized as a personal attack on anyone--except, of course, the "city fathers" in SanFran.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: BS: Tobacco Sales Banned in San Francisco
From: GUEST,DV
Date: 30 Jul 08 - 10:05 AM

Big Mick, may I ask why your contribution to this thread included a personal attack on me?

Subject: RE: BS: Tobacco Sales Banned in San Francisco
From: Big Mick
Date: 30 Jul 08 - 10:02 AM

Here is what Reuters has to say on the LA ban

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: BS: Tobacco Sales Banned in San Francisco
From: Big Mick
Date: 30 Jul 08 - 09:59 AM

I would like to hear more about the LA City Council action. At first blush it seems pretty paternalistic to me, but I have been around long enough to know that things are not always what they seem to be when reactionaries post comments designed to bolster their own prejudices. So I will look more into it, and post later.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: BS: Tobacco Sales Banned in San Francisco
From: John on the Sunset Coast
Date: 30 Jul 08 - 09:54 AM

Maybe I should be tarred and feathered for using hateful wording? Reactionary comes from the word reaction...so of course I'm a reactionary; I wouldn't be commenting about an action that's never happened. Action+Reaction=Common Sense.

Subject: RE: BS: Tobacco Sales Banned in San Francisco
From: GUEST,DV
Date: 30 Jul 08 - 09:53 AM

This morning I read the LA City Council passed a moratorium on new fast food restaurants being built--but only in the poor (and Mexican and black) South Central area, because that area has more obesity than wealthier neighborhoods in LA.

Brilliant. Target the urban poor and blame them for the obesity epidemic. We all know it's all the fault of "those people". You can't trust them to make their own decisions on where to eat.

Can't wait to see who thinks this is a great idea.

Subject: RE: BS: Tobacco Sales Banned in San Francisco
From: Bobert
Date: 30 Jul 08 - 09:12 AM

Purdy reactionary, I'd say...

But then again, so is referring to San Fransico as a "The Nanny city"...

Jus' MO...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Tobacco Sales Banned in San Francisco
From: gnu
Date: 30 Jul 08 - 09:11 AM

Sounds like you are not Happy.

Subject: RE: BS: Tobacco Sales Banned in San Francisco
From: Mr Happy
Date: 30 Jul 08 - 09:02 AM

..........similarly, I heard that in the Netherlands [Holland] they've banned 'baccy smoking in pubs & cafes, but it's still ok to smoke cannabis!

Subject: RE: BS: Tobacco Sales Banned in San Francisco
From: Rapparee
Date: 30 Jul 08 - 08:59 AM

Can they still sell nicotine patches? Nicorette gum?

Seems like unconstitutional interference in interstate trade to me....

Subject: RE: BS: Tobacco Sales Banned in San Francisco
From: Rapparee
Date: 30 Jul 08 - 08:44 AM

'Most every day we find that someone has opened the outside butt cans at the Library searching for cigarette butts. They've managed to damage the sheet aluminum "doors" almost beyond repair.

I think I'll improve the health condition for the butt scroungers and fill the little cans inside with either ammonia solution or chlorine bleach (not both!) instead of water.

I used to smoke tobacco but quit back in 1985. No matter how hard up for a smoke I was I never thought of pulling a soggy one out of a butt can and drying it. GACK!

Subject: RE: BS: Tobacco Sales Banned in San Francisco
From: Big Mick
Date: 30 Jul 08 - 08:29 AM

I don't understand banning a legal substance. That is ridiculous. Same thing in New Jersey. They banned cigarette smoking in bars, but left the exception of the casinoes in Atlantic City. Really hurt the bars across the street from the casino.

I hate being exposed to smoke against my will. I don't believe smokers have any rights where it affects my health. But this type of selective ban, just hurts the small business and shows the power of the big business lobby. If you don't have the stones to outlaw tobacco sales outright, then leave the ability to buy tobacco in place and ban outright the smoking of tobacco anywhere other than your own personal space, such as your auto or your home, or within say 100 feet of any door. That way you can have your cancer sticks, and I don't have to walk through it and be exposed to it.

Mick

Subject: RE: BS: Tobacco Sales Banned in San Francisco
From: GUEST,Jack the Sailor
Date: 30 Jul 08 - 05:17 AM

There is something inherently sleazy about a health care professional selling cancer sticks.

But I agree with you John if you are saying they should not be singled out.

Subject: RE: BS: Tobacco Sales Banned in San Francisco
From: GUEST,Joy Bringer
Date: 30 Jul 08 - 05:07 AM

Seems the pressure groups are being heard over there too. It is only the start of it, we have it here too. Small groups scream at government and stamp their feet until they get a hearing, just like spoiled kids. Sunflower seed and home made nut cereal brigade I call them.

Subject: RE: BS: Tobacco Sales Banned in San Francisco
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 30 Jul 08 - 04:15 AM

Nuts!..Now I'll have to smoke Starbucks coffee grounds...What!!?? They're closing too??...ok, Where's my back pack and guitar??..I'm headin' to Taos!

Subject: RE: BS: Tobacco Sales Banned in San Francisco
From: gnu
Date: 30 Jul 08 - 04:00 AM

Did that here in New Brunswick, Canada some years back. Pretty stunned, innit?

The real stunned part is that major grocery chains that have have pharmacies still sell smokes... but, ya gotta go outside and enter their smoke shop through a separate entrance. The cashier is wearing one of their uniforms!

Subject: BS: Tobacco Sales Banned in San Francisco
From: John on the Sunset Coast
Date: 30 Jul 08 - 01:44 AM

When by wife told me this I thought she was joking, but apparently truth is stranger than fiction. You can't make this shit up! The Nanny city of San Francisco has banned, effective end of September, the sale of tobacco products in drug stores. Not liquor stores, not supermarkets,
not newsstands, not big box stores with pharmacies...only in stand alone drugstores and pharmacies will be barred from selling cigarettes and suchlike. I'm sure all the small problems of the city, crime, potholes, graft etc. have been addressed sufficiently, so they could waste time on this major problem.