Ashtrays – the New Contraband

Getting caught with an unregistered gun can get you busted in New York City - and so can possession of a new form of contraband.

Brooklyn video store owner Marty Arno learned that lesson the hard way - he's facing a whopping $6,000 in fines after two of Mayor Bloomberg's anti-smoking goon squad storm troopers caught him harboring one of these deadly items.

Today's New York Post reveals that city inspectors M. Dundas and S. Holloway gave Arno, owner of Brooklyn Heights Video, a ticket last month charging that they had uncovered not explosives, not guns, not knives, but "One (1) ashtray with cigarette butt, and ashes," which was "seen on the counter of the establishment."

For this criminal offense Arno faces a hefty $2,000 fine plus two other similar fines because the -inspectors discovered he did not have "No Smoking" signs and had not put up a sign displaying his store's official nonsmoking policy.
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More: http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2003/11/7/140056.shtml

Apologies for posting something from this source. Please try your best to refrain from supporting the site by buying the "Pray and Grow Rich" audiocassette set from the advert on the page. I know that it is tempting to get rich in this fashion, but darn it all to heck, we just have to try and get rich the Bush-American way and steal like our pResident.

Also, as a smoker, this IS going a bit too far. IMHO, if you own a businesss as an individual, it's up to you as to smoking or not. Just post your preferences on the door.

This is too much! What control people are exerting on each other!!!!!!!!!!!!! Honestly!

To report on these crimes.

We also need the Marines to help the Police stamp out this scourage.