Nebraska cigar bars must go smoke-free when new liquor licenses arrive; senator plans new proposal

Publication Date: 2015-01-05

• Author:Martha Stoddard
• Publication:Omaha World-Herald

Nebraska's cigar bars have reached the end of the line -- at least for now.

The bars will have to go smoke-free when they receive their replacement liquor licenses from the state. The new licenses were mailed on Friday and should arrive this week.

Cigar bar owners now are putting their hopes on the Nebraska Legislature, where State Sen. Tyson Larson of O'Neill said he intends to offer a new cigar bar proposal.

Larson said he will introduce a measure that would allow cigar smoking in specially licensed bars and would pass constitutional muster. He said the bill would not create any new exemptions to the state smoking ban.

"I'm not looking to repeal the Clean Indoor Air Act or allow cigar bars to serve food," he said. "I hope we can get it resolved as soon as possible."...