Wisconsin Assembly Passes Bill Allowing Cigar Bars, Sends to Senate

[JohnS]

Wisconsin Assembly Passes Bill Allowing Cigar Bars, Sends to Senate

September 11, 2025 - Patrick Lagreid

Today, the Wisconsin State Assembly approved AB 211, a bill that would allow for the creation of new cigar bars by way of a change to the state’s public smoking ban.

The bill, which has gained bipartisan support in both chambers, would exempt what are called “tobacco bars” from the ban on smoking in indoor locations, provided they meet a number of criteria:

•     They would need to have come into existence on or after June 4, 2009.
•     The bar must generate at least 15 percent of its income from the sales of cigars or pipe tobacco, which cannot come from a vending machine.
•     Only the smoking of cigars and pipes is allowed.
•     The tobacco bar is not a retail food establishment.
•     Notices must be posted that the smoking of cigars and pipes is allowed.
•     Persons under 21 must be prohibited from entering.
•     Every employee must sign an acknowledgment that they will be subjected to secondhand smoke.
•     The location must include an application for or be in renewal for an appropriate license;
•     Must submit building plan documents demonstraiting a sufficient air filtration and exhause system.

When the state passed its indoor clean air legislation in 2009, it grandfathered in cigar lounges that were operating as of June 4, 2009. Since that date, new cigar bars have not been allowed to open.

The Assembly passed the bill 57-37; it now heads to the Senate for debate, beginning with the Senate Committee on Government Operations, Labor and Economic Development. If passed by the two chambers, it would be sent to Gov. Tony Evers for his signature.

Similar bills that were introduced in 2023 didn’t make it out of committee in either chamber, failing to gain more than a single public hearing.

Source: https://halfwheel.com/wisconsin-assembly-passes-bill-allowing-cigar-bars-sends-to-senate/454510/

[JohnS]

Assembly approves bill that would allow more cigar bars to open in Wisconsin

Story by Laura Schulte, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Maduro Cigar Bar photographed on June 25, 2025, in Madison, Wisconsin. © Anna Kleiber

MADISON - Lawmakers in the Assembly voted to move forward a proposal that would allow more cigar bars to open in Wisconsin, with some Democrats voting alongside Republicans to approve the bill.

The Assembly vote on Sept. 11 came following debate over the safety of employees in cigar bars, and worries over how the state will keep track of cigar bars and ensure that a certain amount of their profit is coming exclusively from cigars.

The bill would allow taverns to sell cigars and pipe tobacco, which could then be smoked on the bar's premises. In order to sell tobacco, the bar must generate at least 15% of its income from the sale of cigars or pipe tobacco, which cannot come from a vending machine.

Current rules only allow cigar bars that were already in operation in 2009, when legislation banning indoor smoking was passed. The smoking ban went into effect in July 2010, banning indoor smoking at all establishments except for a small selection of cigar bars.

Since then, those interested in smoking a pipe or cigar indoors while they enjoy a drink have been limited to a small handful of establishments, such as Shaker's Cigar Bar in Milwaukee or Maduro Cigar Bar in downtown Madison.

The bill was introduced once before in 2023, but did not make it to Gov. Tony Evers' desk.

Rep. Ann Roe, D-Janesville, said she's worried about more people being exposed to second-hand smoke in more places, so many years after the indoor smoking ban was passed. She herself suffered the consequences of secondhand smoke and doesn't want others to suffer the same fate.

"After being exposed to secondhand smoke as a kid and teen, I developed a large benign tumor whose removal left me without most of my right lung," she said.

She urged lawmakers to vote no.

"It leads to a slippery slope, all endangering what has been and continues to be a hugely popular and profitable law that put Wisconsin on the map as visitor- and consumer-friendly," she said.

But other lawmakers see the issue as a right for a business owner to have the same kind of business that is operating in another part of the state.

"This bill just adds the right to have these establishments, and gives those of us that enjoy cigars the right to go in and have them," said. Rep. Robert Wittke, R-Caledonia. "You also have the right to walk by and not have any secondary smoke anywhere near you."

The final vote came down to 57 in favor, with 37 voting against.

The bill has not yet had a hearing in the Senate. Before it can be sent to Evers' desk for a signature or veto, it will need to voted out of the Senate Committee on Government Operations, Labor and Economic Development, and then voted on by the whole Senate.

Bill has drawn support, pushback from residents

There is pushback against the bill, including from organizations like the American Cancer Society Action Network, the American Heart Association and Children's Hospital of Wisconsin.

The organizations in a letter urged lawmakers not to sign on to the bill, or support it in any way.

"This bill would create a loophole and weaken Wisconsin’s smokefree air law by allowing smoking of cigars, browncigarettes, and pipe tobacco in so-called 'tobacco bars,'" the letter said. "It undermines Wisconsin’s popular smokefree air law which, as currently applied, is broadly popular, with 77.5% of Wisconsinites supporting the current law, 18.3% neither support nor oppose, and only 4.2% oppose the clean indoor air law."

Others also registered testimony earlier this year, encouraging lawmakers to vote against the legislation.

"We know that smoking is the single most preventable cause of cancer and heart disease. We know that preventable cancer and heart disease drive up health care costs and insurance costs, and that we all share that financial burden," said Green Bay resident Kyla King in written testimony.

"Whatever the bill’s true intention, it’s obvious the result will be creating a small benefit for a few, while passing on the burdens of that benefit to the rest of us."

Lann Williams Belter of New Berlin said after going through a breast cancer diagnosis, she now worries that opening more cigar bars could clear the way for more smoking in public spaces.

"To enjoy public spaces and not be concerned about the thousands of chemicals in cigarettes, including those known to cause cancer, means that I will experience emotional stress and potential physical harm," she said. "After being cancer free for over 5 years I do not want that for myself, let alone my family and community."

Other individuals and organizations pushed back on those assumptions in testimony, outlining how only certain establishments would allow the smoking of cigars; not all.

Randolph Bush, the president and CEO of RK Ventures Inc. said that air purification systems like the ones his company sells can keep the air clean and safe for all.

"The country is moving to opening new cigar smoking establishments. States like North Dakota and Connecticuthave recently approved new smoking venues," he said in the testimony. "I believe it is time for Wisconsin to open this new market and allow the economic growth within our great state."

James Thompson, of Kenosha, said he is an avid cigar smoker, and has even researched opening his own establishment, only to meet pushback. But still, people are able to purchase and smoke vapes and drink, which are also to be considered unhealthy habits.

"The Kenosha Cigar Lounge is more than a business — it is a thoughtfully designed space to promote economic growth, responsible adult recreation, and community engagement," he said in testimony. "With approval, it will stand as a local asset and positive force within Kenosha’s commercial and cultural landscape."

Source: https://eu.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2025/09/11/more-cigar-bars-possible-under-bill-passed-by-state-assembly/84333974007/

[JohnS]

Wisconsin Assembly OKs updated rules for cigar bars

By Benjamin Yount - The Center Square contributor

(The Center Square) – Wisconsin’s long moratorium on new cigar bars is a step closer to coming to end.

The Wisconsin Assembly approved Assembly Bill 211, which tweaks the state's indoor smoking ban to allow new cigar bars to allow customers to smoke their cigars inside.

Wisconsin exempted cigar bars from the indoor smoking ban when it went into place in 2009.

Rep. Nate Gustafson, R-Fox Crossing, said the cigar bar rules needed to be updated.

"We can protect public health and strengthen communities at the same time," Gustafson said.

Because of how Wisconsin’s 2009 smoking ban was written, new cigar bars were not allowed to get new licenses. That meant Wisconsin could not open any new cigar bars.

The new legislation allows new cigar bars to open as long as they only allow customers to smoke cigars and pipes, not cigarettes. And new cigar bars or lounges could not also have restaurants.

“[This plan] strengthens Wisconsin’s smoke-free law with modern safeguards, while respecting the right of adults to make informed choices,” Gustafson said.

Gustafson has been working on the plan for the better part of a year and has had to make some changes in order to gain support.

“This bipartisan vote proves that when we put constituents before politics, we can find common ground,” Gustafson added. “AB 211 is pro-balance, pro-accountability, and pro-Wisconsin.”

The plan passed on a 57–37 vote, and now heads for the Wisconsin Senate.

Source: https://www.thecentersquare.com/wisconsin/article_a5701d8e-c2eb-4d8a-8d31-93b9dc2dbb29.html

[JohnS]

Wisconsin Legislature Approves Bill Allowing New Cigar Bars, Sends to Governor

November 19, 2025 - Patrick Lagreid

Wisconsin legislators have approved AB 211, a bill that would allow new cigar bars to open, thanks to a modification of the state’s public smoking ban.

The bill, which has gained bipartisan support in both chambers, would exempt what are called “tobacco bars” from the ban on smoking in indoor locations.

In order to qualify, each location would need to:

• Come into existence on or after June 4, 2009
• Generate 15 percent or more of its annual gross income from the on-premises sale of cigars and pipe tobacco, other than from a vending machine
• Only allow the smoking of cigars and pipes is allowed
• Not be a retail food establishment.
• Posted notice stating that the smoking of cigars and pipes is allowed.
• Not allow anyone under the age of 21 from entering
• Have every employee sign an acknowledgment that they will be subjected to secondhand smoke
• Must include an application for or be in renewal for an appropriate license
• Must submit building plan documents demonstrating a sufficient air filtration and exhaust system

“This isn’t changing the smoking ban,” said State Senator Cory Tomczyk, R-Mosinee, during the Senate’s floor session on Tuesday. “This is just allowing for some expansion of cigar bars. It’s still an economic decision that’ll be made by those people that wish to try to have a cigar bar.”

When the state passed its indoor clean air legislation in 2009, it grandfathered in cigar lounges that were operating as of June 4, 2009. Since that date, new cigar bars have not been allowed to open.

The Assembly passed the bill 57-37 in September, while the Senate approved it by a vote of 18-15 on Tuesday.

The bill now heads to Gov. Tony Evers for his signature.

Source: https://halfwheel.com/wisconsin-legislators-approve-bill-allowing-new-cigar-bars-sends-to-governor/457055/