Mankato Looks to Ban Tobacco Sampling In-Store

The Hookah Wars come to Mankato, as the city council considers a tobacco license for Puff Puff Palace. The city attorney has expressed concern over the business practice of sampling, saying it would make the business more a smoking lounge than a tobacco shop. Puff Puff Palace, located at 408 South Front Street, is owned by the same individual that owns Smokes 4 Less, looking to focus on the flavored tobacco world of hookah cafés.

The establishment will have 6 smoking areas, capable of holding 24 patrons at a time - and that has lead city leaders to doubt the actual intent. Mankato City Manager Pat Hentges says, "I think the question for the council is - yes, Eileen [City Attorney Eileen Wells] believes that our current ordinance could allow for sampling - is that what you really intend?" Councilman Charlie Hurd says, "You want a sample, you buy it, you take it home and you sample it. And they can provide small enough amounts, if that's really the intent here."

Councilman Jack Considine says, "No, the intent is to have a spot where people can walk from the other bars and smoke for awhile - that's what it is." The majority of council members were not pleased with the plan being put forth, and asked for the city administration to look into creating ordinances that would ban sampling outright, like other cities have done. Councilman Mark Frost says, "Do we have this language in our ban at all? I would really like us to consider putting this language into our smoking ban."