Commissioners introduce amendment to county smoking code to allow cigar lounges

Delaware County commissioners on March 2 introduced an amendment to the county smoking ordinance that would add a definition for "cigar lounge" and provide an exemption to the county's 2011 indoor smoking prohibition.

Kylene Swackhammer of the planning commission explained the proposed change would add a cigar-lounge definition to the county code and allow an exemption for such establishments, noting the applicants have applied for a liquor license and are pursuing a downtown Muncie location. "The proposed amendment is to add the definition of cigar lounge into that ordinance and then also allow an exemption to the cigar lounge," Swackhammer said.

Commissioners expressed general support but asked staff and legal counsel to refine language and ensure code updates are alphabetized and consistent with county code. The board voted to introduce the ordinance for first reading; the matter will return for subsequent readings and possible adoption after staff updates.

No regulatory exemptions or liquor-license outcomes were decided at the meeting; commissioners limited action to introduction and directed staff to prepare the refined ordinance language.