In Minnesota, Liquor stores are open, but tobacco stores are shut down. Both

[MineralMan]

are specific orders from the Governor. Both operate in approximately the same way, with regard to customers. Both sell products that can be harmful to people's health. They are rarely crowded. It's a very interesting distinction.

[Aristus]

1. The distinction is simple.

There is a safe, moderate level of alcohol consumption. I won't go so far as to say that red wine, for example, is actually good for you. The evidence for it is sketchy at best.

But there is no safe, moderate level of tobacco consumption. Even one cigarette can be bad for you.

I know I'm sticking my head in the lion's mouth here. I'm going to get clobbered by smokers who'll say they've been smoking for fifty years, and there's nothing wrong with them.

But science doesn't care about the lion's mouth...

[MineralMan]

3. And yet, neither of them is less or more likely to be a source

of spreading for the virus. The two are equivalent in that regard. The reason for closing businesses is to slow the spread of the disease, not to make a comment on the relative danger of the products being sold.

[Rorey]

6. Ah, I get your point now.

Here in Colorado, we'll be moving from "Stay At Home" to "Safer At Home", and I believe part of this new phase is that non-essential retail stores will be allowed to do curb-side pickup. It'll be interesting to see if that works well for the businesses, but I kinda doubt it will.

[brooklynite]

11. By that logic, we should close grocery stores...

...yes the products are needed, but as you say we're not making a comment on the relative danger of the products, just on stores most likely to spread the disease...

[jimfields33]

7. I think it has more to do with availability

Cigarettes can be purchased at gas stations. Alcohol cannot at least in a lot of states.

[MineralMan]

9. That's a possible explanation. Minnesota only allows liquor sales in

liquor stores. So, you could be right. Thanks!

[hlthe2b]

12. Not to mention that alcohol DETOX for severe addicted can be deadly and consumes ER resources!

There are alternative places to purchase tobacco products (e.g., Sam's and other large warehouses, many grocery stores) and cold turkey is unpleasant for those who choose/have to do so, but not deadly. Not to mention nicotine patches and similar products are still widely available at pharmacies, grocery stores, and online.

So, NO, Mineral Man.. these issues are not even remotely equivalent.

[Rorey]

2. Well.....

If someone quits smoking cold turkey, they'll be miserable, but they won't die. If an alcoholic quits cold turkey, they could possibly go into withdrawal so severe that it's life-threatening.

[MineralMan]

4. There was no ban on tobacco sales. Just a ban on tobacco stores

remaining open. Cigarettes and other tobacco products are available in many other places.

[Mariana]

5. I think this is exactly the reason.

The last thing anyone needs right now is a bunch of alcoholics with the DT's clogging up the hospitals while they're detoxing.

[Rorey]

8. Agree, and they probably don't want them detoxing in other places either

Such as non-medical detox center-type places.

[LeftInTX]

10. Same in Texas

Must be a "secret code" somewhere in the US...LOL

We can even have mixed drinks and liquor home delivered.....(I think this is the first time in Texas history!!)

[samnsara]

13. here in Wash State our pot stores are open...