Ken Schram: Full support for I-1016

YouNewsTV™

Story Published: Mar 24, 2008 at 12:15 PM PDT

Story Updated: Mar 31, 2008 at 4:47 PM PDT

By Ken Schram

Watch the story

SEATTLE -- Full disclosure: I don't have a horse in this race.

Meaning, I don't smoke cigars.

But I am all for an initiative put together on behalf of those that do.

The idea is to allow smoking in cigar shops, cigar bars and private clubs.

Initiative 1016 sponsors need 225,000 valid signatures by June 30th in order to get the measure on the ballot in November.

I like this measure.

For one thing, it has nothing to do with Tim Eyman.

For another, it's reasonable.

The measure defines a cigar bar where food is not the main order of business and where cigar sales hit at least $25,000 a year.

The biggest selling point is that this is about an exemption to the state's ban on smoking, not an effort to overturn it.

I figure the anti-smoking crowd will conjure up all sorts of reasons and scare tactics as to why this initiative should fail.

But I just don't see the sense of getting stodgy over the folks who enjoy their stogies.

And if those cigar bars also want to allow for a few cigarette smokers to sneak in, well, so much the better.

Either way, when I get the chance, my signature will be going on Initiative 1016.

Have something to say to Ken? E-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com.

And be sure to join Ken, along with John Carlson, on "The Commentators", which airs every weekday from 3-6 p.m. on AM 570 KVI.

It's a lively exchange of information, insight and perspective with two guys who don't agree on much, but still manage to enjoy each other as they tackle issues of the day. Even better, callers are invited in on the verbal action.

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.