North Dakota Senate Will Not Allow Cigar Bars or Lounges

In a dispiriting blow to the cigar enthusiasts of North Dakota, the state’s senate has voted against allowing cigar bars and lounges in the state. The bill, HB 1152, was designed to create exemptions in North Dakota’s existing laws, which restrict indoor smoking and smoking in places of employment.

Of course, in order to qualify as a cigar bar or lounge, an establishment would be required to meet several requirements:
– An operating humidor must exist on the facility’s premises.
– The smoking area must be closed in, with solid walls and a ceiling.
– The facility must use a ventilation system that doesn’t recirculate or backstream to nonsmoking areas.
– The facility may only allow cigars bought on their premises to be smoked there.
– Cigar bars must generate 10% of revenue from cigar sales, while cigar lounges must generate 30% this way.
– The facility must acquire the appropriate certificate from the tax commissioner.

Still, despite all of those stipulations, the state’s senate shot down HB 1152 by a margin of just one vote (24-23). Critics of the bill cited workplace health and the well-being of the general populace as their primary concerns.

We know that this is disappointing news for cigar lovers in the Peace Garden State. Just know, here at Best Cigar Prices we always have our doors open to visitors—and so does our pub!