CIGAR RIGHTS OF AMERICA 10533 Main Street, Fairfax, Virginia 22030, U.S.A. *FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE* Date: October 4, 2010 Contact: Brian Berman Phone: (800) 460-0729 Email: [email protected] CRA Condemns Decision to Investigate Cincinnati Reds “Cigar Moment” - It’s Bad Use of Tax Dollars – Fairfax, VA – Today, Cigar Rights of America, a national advocacy group for cigar enthusiasts across the United States, condemned the decision by the Cincinnati Health Department to “investigate” the Cincinnati Reds baseball organization, following their clinching of the National League Central Divisional Title. The Reds are being investigated for their enjoyment of cigars in the locker room, following the victory. “Today, Cigar Rights of America calls upon Mayor Mark Mallory and the Cincinnati City Council to rebuke the city Health Department, and direct them to stop this senseless investigation and waste of public dollars,” stated J. Glynn Loope, Executive Director of Cigar Rights of America. He further noted, “This dramatizes why members of the Ohio legislature need to amend the Ohio Clean Indoor Air Act, to allow for common sense exemptions from this nanny state piece of legislation.” According to press accounts, five ‘anonymous’ callers to the Statewide Smoking Ban Complaint Hotline – yes, there is one – complained of the Reds celebratory cigars, being distributed by Reds owner Bob Castellini. Health Department officials now say they are required to conduct inspections at the Great American Ballpark within the next 30 days. Loope continued, “The very action of sending an investigator to the ballpark is an amazing testament to how these types of regulatory measures are out of control. CRA will be requesting that amendments to state smoking laws be introduced, not only based upon this situation with the Cincinnati Reds baseball team, but based upon the negative economic consequences this Act has had on Ohio small businesses, and oversteps the bounds of respect for property rights throughout the Buckeye State.” Cigar Rights of America is sending a letter to Mayor Mark Mallory and each member of the Cincinnati City Council, as well as the city’s delegation to the Ohio legislature condemning this action by the city Health Department, and requesting exemptions to the state smoking ban. Cigar Rights of America can be contacted by calling 1-800-460-0729 or by email at [email protected]. To learn more about Cigar Rights of America please visit www.CigarRights.org. - more - www.CigarRights.org Telephone: (800) 460-0729 Fax: (800) 460-6207 CIGAR RIGHTS OF AMERICA – Press Release CRA Condemns Decision to Investigate Cincinnati Reds “Cigar Moment” About Cigar Rights of America Cigar Rights of America (CRA) was founded on the principle of fighting for the freedom to enjoy premium cigars. A consumer-based, non-profit public advocacy organization that works with local, state and federal governments to protect the freedoms of cigar enthusiasts, CRA works with its constituency of members including manufacturers, retailers and cigar enthusiasts to focus on opposing restrictive smoking bans and increased taxation of cigars. www.CigarRights.org ### Accompanying Photo ### www.CigarRights.org Telephone: (800) 460-0729 Fax: (800) 460-6207 .