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Legislators split over bill to formalize cigar lounges, with public-health groups urging delay
Summary
A proposal to create a regulated cigar‑lounge license — grandfathering existing shops and authorizing limited new licenses with a 60/40 tobacco–alcohol sales ratio — drew support from lounge owners and opposition from public‑health groups and restaurant interests.
Annapolis, Md. — Delegate Aisha Johnson’s bill to create a regulated cigar‑lounge license (House Bill 13-18) generated a quick, polarized hearing as advocates argued the change would stabilize an existing industry while public‑health officials and restaurant groups warned of renewed indoor‑smoking exposure.
The bill would grandfather locally licensed tobacconists that allow on‑site smoking, create a new state license for premium cigar lounges, and allow licensed lounges to sell alcohol up to a stated limit (the sponsor and proponents described a 60% tobacco / 40% alcohol sales framing during the hearing). "This bill gives small businesses stability, flexibility, and protections that they need to thrive," Delegate Aisha Johnson told the subcommittee.
Owners and trade representatives said a regulated licensing scheme would keep dollars in Maryland and provide clarity to businesses that now operate under mixed local rulings. Penny Hellmuth, president of the…
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