Minneapolis City Council Committee Supports Proposal That Would Ban Smoking in City’s Only Cigar Lounge

A Minneapolis city councilmember has introduced a set of proposed changes that would bring an end to smoking in the city’s only cigar lounge, closing what is described as a loophole in the state’s law that allows customers to light up a cigar in a shop.

The proposal was drafted by Councilmember LaTrisha Vetaw, and is one of several changes she is calling for, along with a ban on coupons and sales promotions for tobacco products.

Minnesota has one of the more unique pieces of legislation when it comes to allowing cigar shop patrons to light up. Customers are allowed to do so under a provision that allows  “sampling” a product, part of changes made to the state’s Clean Indoor Air Act that date back to 2007, and which applies to cigar lounges, hookah bars, and some smoke shops. However, the law does not define what exactly constitutes sampling.

According to a report by StarTribune.com, Vetaw said she was unaware of the loophole when she started working on the ordinance, saying her motive was primarily to reduce people getting addicted to smoking and to support workers being subjected to second-hand smoke. But it appears that once she became aware of it, she decided to include it in her proposal.

In the case of Minneapolis, there is just one such lounge in the city, Anthony’s Pipe & Cigar Lounge, which would be forced to prohibit customers from lighting up under the state’s law should Vetaw’s proposal pass. Hadi Aboumourad, the owner of Anthony’s, has voiced his objection to the proposals, including via his attorney who has argued that the changes are unconstitutional because it would interfere with his client’s lease.

On Wednesday, the council’s Business, Inspections, Housing & Zoning Committee approved the proposed changes, though they must still go before the full council and Mayor Jacob Frey for consideration and possible approval before becoming law.