Over the course of the last 60 days, Nebraska and New Orleans, LA have taken center stage when it comes to cigar bars and smokers’ rights. Let’s take a quick look at what’s been happening.
In Nebraska, it was all but certain that smoking in the state’s cigar bars would be banned after the New Year. Last year, that state’s Supreme Court ruled that cigar bars that want to be exempt to the state’s non-smoking law wasn’t legal. Translation: The cigar bars would have to ban smoking beginning this year.
KETV reported the following:
“A bunch of steps in the administrative procedures act has to be taken in order to implement this matter,” Nebraska Liquor Control Commission chairman Bob Batt said.
“Anytime you get anything affecting the status of your license, it would stand to reason that you are given the opportunity for an appeal process,” Safari Cigars and Lounge attorney Bill McGinn said. “We’re assuming that’s what will happen here.”
For the moment, advocates of the cigar bars are bringing in new legislation to permit them to stay open. State Sen. Tyson Larson presented a bill last Friday that would reinstate smoking in cigar bars and tobacco shops. Fingers crossed that the legislature moves swiftly on this.
Now, in the “Big Easy” called New Orleans, let’s aim for things to go at a snail’s pace. The city council there’s getting ready to vote on a smoking ban for the city. There’s opposition but last week a committee voted 3-2 to move forward. According to reports, the ordinance may have enough assistance to pass. That’d be a huge blow for the IPCPR that’s organizing on holding its trade show down there this summer.
Cantrell’s ordinance would make it illegal to smoke, with a few exceptions, in all enclosed public spaces, private clubs, correctional facilities and school buildings in the city. Smoking also would be prohibited in parks during public events sponsored by the city and outdoors within 25 feet of public property and within 5 feet of commercial buildings.
Cantrell revised her original ordinance to remove a prohibition on smoking at all public events and in the common areas of apartment buildings, retirement homes and nursing facilities.
The ordinance that will go before the council also includes a provision that would grandfather in existing cigar and hookah bars — businesses with the sole purpose of selling smoking devices and providing a place for them to be used.
Overall, the people of Nebraska and the city of New Orleans have just begun it seems to battle over cigar smokers’ rights.