Cigar shops could obtain liquor licenses under legislation heard by the General Affairs Committee Jan. 26. Introducer O\u2019Neill Sen. Tyson Larson said the bill explains the Legislature\u2019s intent better than the previous exemption recently declared unconstitutional by the Nebraska Supreme Court.<\/p>\n
LB118 would permit a cigar shop to apply for a liquor license if the establishment:
\n\u2022 does not sell food;
\n\u2022 generates at least 10 percent of its gross revenue from sales of cigars, tobacco and tobacco-related products, not including cigarettes;
\n\u2022 has a walk-in humidor; and
\n\u2022 does not allow cigarette smoking.<\/p>\n
Larson said the bill is intended to provide a narrow and constitutional exception to the Nebraska Clean Air Act that prohibits indoor smoking in the state. Cigar bars differ from other drinking establishments, Larson said, because smoking is the primary reason customers go there. Similarly, he said, because so few cigar bars exist in Nebraska, there are ample non-smoking businesses that provide job opportunities.<\/p>\n
People who choose to patronize or work in a cigar bar know they\u2019ll be subjected to cigar smoke, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cCustomers choose to go into that cigar bar and employees choose to work in that cigar bar,\u201d Larson said. \u201cThis has been the status quo for the past six years,\u201d he said. \u201cLB118 would keep the status quo.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jeff Doll, owner of Safari Cigars and Lounge in Omaha, testified in support of the bill. He said his business can\u2019t compete with online cigar vendors, so providing a local location to purchase and smoke cigars is how he stays in business.<\/p>\n
\u201cCigar smoking is a relaxing and social activity,\u201d he said. \u201cWithout the option to smoke indoors, there is no way for us to build relationships with customers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Glynn Loope, representing Cigar Rights of America also spoke in favor of the bill, saying that cigar bars are legal in 47 states. Nebraska\u2019s cigar bars represent important small businesses that deserve the same opportunity as other venues to serve customers, he added.<\/p>\n
Cigars are different than cigarettes in that they are designed to be paired with alcohol and smoked at a relaxed pace, said Bradley Boyum, a cigar bar patron from Omaha. Testifying in support of the bill, he called the venues \u201camazing places\u201d that unite people with a wide variety of backgrounds and professions.<\/p>\n
Boyum said the last six years have shown that cigar bars can be operated successfully in Nebraska.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s keep these great businesses alive in Nebraska,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Speaking in opposition to the bill, David Holmquist of the American Cancer Society said that smoking one cigar is equal to smoking an entire pack of cigarettes.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re still tobacco,\u201d he said. \u201cThey\u2019re still dangerous to peoples\u2019 health.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hobert Rupe, executive director of the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission, testified in a neutral capacity. He said that when the Clean Air Act exemption was first approved, officials anticipated a large number of bars would offer cigars as a way to allow smoking indoors. However, Rupe said high startup costs have limited the number of cigar bars to 10 venues in Nebraska.<\/p>\n
The committee took no immediate action on the bill.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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