New Cigar Lounges Could be Opening in New Jersey

A bill to allow new cigar lounges to open in New Jersey has taken its first step forward, as the state Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee gave its approval with a 9-1 vote on Thursday.

A2057, which was sponsored by Reed Gusciora, Wayne P. DeAngelo, Joseph A. Lagana and L. Grace Spencer, all of whom are Democrats, seeks to permit new cigar lounges to be opened should a municipality wish to allow them to do so. To qualify, a prospective owner would have to apply with the local board of health and new cigar lounges would not be able to sell food or alcohol and could not be located with a bar, restaurant of other establishment where the primary business is the sale of food and alcohol for on-premises consumption.

Additionally, the entrance to the lounge would have to be distinct from any other establishment and accessible directly by the public, and would be required to have an exhaust system to maintain air quality. The use of hookah would also be prohibited, and owners would have to renew their license on a yearly basis while generating at least 15% or more if its total annual gross income from the on-site sale of tobacco products and the rental of on-site humidors. It must also prove that it has replaced the filter of its air system and wouldn’t be allowed to change its size or location during the preceding registration program.

A similar bill was filed in 2014 and was passed by the Assembly by a 66-5 vote with nine members either abstaining or not voting, but stalled in the New Jersey Senate.

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 Major League Baseball, 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.