Bill That Would Allow Cigar Lounges in West Virginia Resorts Dies in Senate (Update)

Resorts in West Virginia are one step closer to being able to open up cigar lounges and cigar bars within their facility.

Update (April 24, 2023) — H.B. 3341 failed to clear a West Virginia Senate Committee, it never received a vote, and therefore did not pass. It will not become law this session. 

Earlier today, the West Virginia House of Delegates passed H.B. 3341 by a vote of 57-33 with 10 abstaining. The legislation would allow for resorts to add a cigar bar or cigar lounge to its property. West Virginia’s current smoking laws prevent indoor smoking in these areas.

The bill requires “resorts,” to have overnight guest rooms, have a permeant population of less than 2,000 people and include some sort of gambling facility. The cigar bars and lounges would need to be an isolated area with its own entrance and its own ventilation system. In addition, people under the age of 21 would not be allowed in a cigar bar or lounge.

The bill now moves onto the West Virginia Senate.

This story was originally published on Feb. 25, 2023.