May
2

Cigar Bars Can Serve Food/Drinks [Michigan Smoking Ban]

So I realize that for a blog that’s supposed to be dedicated to cigar bars and cigar friendly spots around the world, the posts have been very Michigan-focused recently.  For everyone that’s coming here for cigar bar info in other places, I apologize.michigan smoking ban memo

There have been a lot of newsworthy incidents leading up to the May 1st ban, and well … it’s where I live, so I’m compelled to write about it.

Last week the exemption in the smoking ban that allows cigar smoking in establishments that meet the required criteria was clarified.  There has been a long-running discussion here about whether or not cigar bars would be allowed to sell and serve food and beverages, and the matter has finally been settled.

Last week, a regular contributor to the blog (Mike), uncovered a memo issued by the Michigan Department of Community Health Director Olszewski. Click the image to view the memo.

At least the writers of the law realized that there has to be a way for cigar bar owners to come up with the other 90% of their revenue.

Thanks for digging this up, Mike!

Posted by Chris Cigar Friendly Places Subscribe to RSS feed
  • Mike

    You’re welcome, Chris. I have not had a chance to visit any of the presumably exempt places in recent weeks. It will be interesting to see if any of these places end up failing the revenue requirements.

  • http://www.cigarplaces.com Chris

    That’s another point. It will be interesting to see how often that is reviewed and enforced. 10% is a pretty big nut to cover.

  • http://www.cubancrafters.com Don Kiki

    While most states that have smoking bans allow smoking in cigar bars, cigar stores and cigar factories, there are rumblings that in Michigan you can only smoke cigars in those locations. In other words, no cigarette smoking. Chris do you know if that’s true? I’m a cigar smoker and don’t particularly like cigarette smoking, but I respect the right of adults to do what they want. Only allowing cigars sounds illogical but I’ve seen legislatures do many illogical things, specially when pushed by anti-smoking zealots.

  • http://www.cigarplaces.com Chris

    I’m pretty sure it’s true.

    The law defines a cigar as: “Any roll of tobacco weighing 3 or more pounds per 1,000, which roll has a wrapper or cover consisting only of tobacco.”

    The cigar bar exemption states: “Smoking other tobacco products in the cigar bar is prohibited.”

    A lot of the articles that have been written about the ban recently have stated that “so called little-cigars” are also not allowed in cigar bars (referring to cigarillos I’m assuming).

    If we thought that enforcing the smoking ban would be hard, this is definitely taking it to the next level. I can just imagine sitting in a cigar bar and having an officer of some sort scanning the room for people smoking a cigarette.

    I’m right with you with regards to cigarettes. I’ve never smoked them, and don’t particularly like the smell. I’m all for us being able to make our own decisions though.

  • Mike

    The revenue requirement is supposed to be reviewed by the state or at least sworn to by the operators annually. I also wonder how much additional documentation they will require to prove the 10%.

    Don’t forget cigar bars can also meet the revenue requirement through himidor rentals.

    Kiki, you can only smoke cigars in cigar bars. A number of the recently passed state smoking bans that exempt cigar bars have similar stipulations (Wisconsin, Nebraska).

    You can smoke cigarettes in tobacco shops, but no food can be served.

    Chris, like you I wonder about enforcing the no-cigarette provision. Will health inspectors, responding only to complaints, get calls from anti-smoking snitches hanging out in cigar bars looking for a clandestine cigarette smoker? I doubt it.

    But the staff of Stix told me a few weeks ago they would prohibit cigarettes May 1 — and almost all of their female bartenders smoke cigarettes.