Cigar stores in Maine could soon find themselves able to sell both non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks as they might be able to get rebranded as cigar lounges.

State Senator Eric Brakey (R-20) has proposed LD 34, which seeks to remove a prohibition on cigar stores serving beverages on premises. It would also update the definition of a cigar lounge, making it a place that is licensed as such; occupies a total area of not more than 2,000 square feet; and derived 60% or more of its gross revenue for the previous calendar year from the sale of tobacco-related products.

Additionally, the proposal would remove a ban on smoking a waterpipe or hookah in a tobacco specialty store that is newly licensed or that requires a new license after January 1, 2007.

Cigarette smoking and the preparation and sale of food would be prohibited in cigar lounges. Additionally, cigar lounges must provide notice to all applicants for employment and employees that working in a cigar lounge can come with health problems.

The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Health & Human Services. It has already gained co-sponsorship from a second state senator and six state representatives.

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Patrick Lagreid

I strive to capture the essence of a cigar and the people behind them in my work – every cigar you light up is the culmination of the work of countless people and often represents generations of struggle and stories. For me, it’s about so much more than the cigar – it’s about the story behind it, the experience of enjoying the work of artisans and the way that a good cigar can bring people together. In addition to my work with halfwheel, I’m the public address announcer for the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks during spring training, as well as for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League, the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury and previously the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League. I also work in a number of roles for MLB.com, plus I'm a voice over artist. Prior to joining halfwheel, I covered the Phoenix and national cigar scene for Examiner.com, and was an editor for Cigar Snob magazine.