Wisconsin Assembly OKs updated rules for cigar bars

Wisconsin’s long moratorium on new cigar bars is a step closer to coming to end.

The Wisconsin Assembly approved Assembly Bill 211, which tweaks the state's indoor smoking ban to allow new cigar bars to allow customers to smoke their cigars inside.

Wisconsin exempted cigar bars from the indoor smoking ban when it went into place in 2009.

Rep. Nate Gustafson, R-Fox Crossing, said the cigar bar rules needed to be updated.

"We can protect public health and strengthen communities at the same time," Gustafson said.

Because of how Wisconsin’s 2009 smoking ban was written, new cigar bars were not allowed to get new licenses. That meant Wisconsin could not open any new cigar bars.

The new legislation allows new cigar bars to open as long as they only allow customers to smoke cigars and pipes, not cigarettes. And new cigar bars or lounges could not also have restaurants.

“[This plan] strengthens Wisconsin’s smoke-free law with modern safeguards, while respecting the right of adults to make informed choices,” Gustafson said.

Gustafson has been working on the plan for the better part of a year and has had to make some changes in order to gain support.

“This bipartisan vote proves that when we put constituents before politics, we can find common ground,” Gustafson added. “AB 211 is pro-balance, pro-accountability, and pro-Wisconsin.”

The plan passed on a 57–37 vote, and now heads for the Wisconsin Senate.