Just when you think it cannot get any worse, the anti-smoking Gestapo advances to the next level of assault.

What could be more polically incorrect than discrimination?

More importantly, what could simply be more wrong?

Yet despite the obvious lessons of history and morality against discrimination, the European Union has now clearly established the legality of discrimination under their regime.

Companies in the European Union may legally refuse to hire smokers because EU anti-discrimination laws do not protect them, the European Commission has said. And it doesn’t end there.

This one surprised me. I think it will surprise you too, because the implications and explicit statements of EU officials did not stop with discrimination against smokers.

The full story unfolds below the fold.

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From Reuters comes word of yet another slide down the slope to a New Prohibition. As predicted back when Westin became the first hotel chain to go smoke-free, another major chain has decided to close their doors to smokers.

The Marriott Corporation, whose properties include the Marriott and J.W. Marriott hotels, the Renaissance and Ritz-Carlton hotel chains, and Courtyard by Marriott, Residence Inns, Fairfield Inns, SpringHill Suites, and TownePlace Suites, has jumped on the anti-smoking bandwagon. Beginning in September, they will have a strict “no smoking” policy.

This isn’t just a smoking ban for hotel rooms, however.

This time it is a ban against smoking anywhere on the premises of any Marriott property. The total ban forbids smoking in bars, restaurants, meeting rooms and other public places in all Marriott hotels. Light up anywhere on their property, and they will fine you a minimum of U.S. $200.00.

Strangely enough, while smokers are now completely unwelcome at Marriott hotels and resorts, the chain appears to have no problems with opening their doors to terrorist groups and neo-nazis.

The strange story of…oh, let’s call it “Smoking and Nazis and Terrorists — Oh My!” unfolds after the jump.

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You may have never heard of the city of Fitchburg, Wisconsin, before reading this story.

You may never hear about Fitchburg again.

But for now, for today, you need to know that in Fitchburg, Wisconsin, there is a local government that is sensible, believes in restraint, and does not pass legislation based on trends…and bad science.

Every once in a while, it is good to win one.

More from Emily Winter at The Capital Times in Madison, Wisconsin, below the fold.

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For the moment, at least, it is still possible to light up a cigar while enjoying a game of golf.

Even in San Francisco, thanks what I will charitably call a change of heart.

The Board of Supervisors in the City by the Bay had originally voted to ban smoking at the city’s five public golf courses. Fears of loss of revenue won out over charges of elitism and a puritanical desire to further curb freedom, so if you visit San Francisco you can still light up on the links.

That will not last, of course.

Eventually, the anti-smoking crazies will be moving to aggressively protect us from “Death by Second-Hand smoke” as the silent — and mythical — killer wafts from tee to tee. So, you had better enjoy the freedom to light up while golfing while you can.

And to help you enjoy golf and cigars a little more, we have some tips from the Stogie Guys.

The article contains four tips that are specific, and useful. More about that after the jump.

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When you think of July 4th in the United States, the number 13 might come to mind.

The 13 original colonies and the War for Independence?

Thirteen stars in a circle on the legendary first U.S. flag Betsy Ross sewed?

Liberty?

Freedom?

Well, this year you can also think of the 13 state-wide bans against smoking in public places, including restaurants, bars, clubs and some casinos, in the “land of the free and the home of the brave.” Colorado’s legislation, which went into effect just four days before Independence Day, brings us to that not-so-magical number.

The bad news continues below the fold…

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The smoking ban that went into effect recently In Montreal, Quebec, has claimed a very high profile victim. The Davidoff boutique has closed its doors after serving the city for the last twenty-five years.

The closing comes as a result not only of the anti-smoking legislation but also an ambitious expansion plan that came at exactly the wrong time and ran head-on into the anti-smoking legislation.

Jasmin Legatos of the Montreal Gazette provides more details:

Inside the doors of the Davidoff boutique on Sherbrooke St., the spicy and full aroma of pipe tobacco is immediately noticeable.

There are few other places in Montreal where cigar enthusiasts can walk into a bedroom-sized humidor for their pick of high quality Cuban or Dominican specialties boutique, manager Vince Bourgoin said.

But a quarter-century after David Cigars Corporation of Canada, an importer of tobacco products, began operating the store, it has decided to close.

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