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Cascade County Board of Health approves resolution opposing public cigar bars in proposed state bill
Summary
The Cascade County Board of Health voted unanimously to approve Resolution 25-06 opposing legislation that would create public cigar bars and loosen indoor-air protections, citing worker and patron exposure to secondhand smoke.
The Cascade County Board of Health voted unanimously March 20 to approve Resolution 25-06, which addresses proposed state legislation to allow certain public cigar bars and related changes to indoor-air protections.
The resolution, presented by Abigail, Cascade County public health staff, opposes changes that would permit publicly accessible cigar bars unless they meet specified criteria such as ventilation standards and minimum cigar-related sales. Abigail told the board the language in the proposed legislation would allow some businesses to operate as cigar bars open to the public and could require local health departments to monitor compliance.
The resolution argues that cigar smoke produces secondhand exposure that places workers and patrons at risk of disease, including lung cancer and heart disease, and that the proposal could erode existing protections under the Clean Indoor Air Act. Abigail summarized the public-health concern, saying the measure focuses on “the impact of smoke on health and the impact of secondhand smoke.”
Lori Glover moved to approve Resolution 25-06 and Shannon seconded. The board voted unanimously to adopt the resolution. "All those in favor of approving the motion, say aye," Chair Dr. Martin said; members answered aye and the motion carried unanimously.
Board members discussed next steps for representing the board at the upcoming legislative hearing. Glover said she was registered to testify in opposition, and Abigail said the cigar-bar legislation is scheduled for an 8 a.m. hearing the following day. The resolution explicitly references Senate Bill 150, which board members identified in discussion as the bill that would establish public cigar bars; board members approved the resolution as an opposition statement to that bill.
Abigail and the board also discussed administrative steps to finalize the resolution, including obtaining an authorizing signature. Abigail said she would check with legal staff and explore electronic signature options; county staff confirmed the county uses DocuSign for contracts but that signatures on the resolution would need to follow legal guidance.
Votes at a glance: Resolution 25-06 (cigar bars) — motion to approve by Lori Glover, second by Shannon; outcome: approved (unanimous vote of board members present).
The board did not take additional formal actions related to enforcement at the meeting; Abigail said the health department would be listed as the monitoring entity in the draft language and that the resolution records the board’s formal stance for the upcoming legislative hearing.
The board adjourned after confirming next steps for outreach and testimony on tobacco-related bills.
