Muncie resident asks commissioners to reject cigar and bourbon bar in Delaware County, Indiana

[JohnS]

Let's be honest, the following article is not necessarily going to 'fill your heart with joy' after a long day's work relaxing with a cigar. Yet, in the interest of being aware of the trends out there both for and against cigar smoking, it helps to be aware.

Muncie resident asks commissioners to reject cigar and bourbon bar

Sheryl Swingley, Muncie Star Press - March 30, 2026, 10:27 a.m. ET

Delaware County commissioners might be on the verge of supporting the opening of a cigar and bourbon bar in downtown Muncie. At the commissioners’ next meeting, at 9 a.m. Monday, April 6, it could be a done deal.

I hope not, but that is when it might become a reality. Muncie does not need a cigar and bourbon bar.

Next, if the county commissioners approve a cigar and bourbon bar, I believe it will open the door for other bars, taverns, restaurants and private clubs in the community to ask to allow smoking. How can the commissioners make such an exception for one and not allow it for all? It is ill advised for the county commissioners to show favoritism toward one business owner or group over others.

Businesses initially thought no-smoking bans would hurt their bottom line. I don’t know what those businesses think now after having such a ban since 2011, but I imagine their businesses have recovered. I never heard of any of these establishments going under because customers couldn’t smoke.

Next, I cannot believe that the county commissioners would even consider making this exception when Delaware County is one of the least healthy counties in the state and Indiana overall is one of the least healthy states in the nation.

Stephen Brand once asked about the goals of the Delaware County Health Department at a commissioners’ meeting. I’m sure allowing and supporting smoking in bars, taverns, restaurants and private clubs would NOT be part of any health department's goals.

And here’s what an AI search says about Indiana and smoking:

· Rank: Indiana is frequently ranked among the top 10 states for highest smoking rates, appearing at No. 7 or No. 9 in various analyses.

· Prevalence: Studies from 2022 show an adult smoking prevalence of 16.2% (about 840,000 adults), which is significantly higher than the national adult smoking average, which was 14%.

· Tobacco use: When including vaping, nearly 29% of Indiana adults use some form of tobacco product, notes the Indiana Adult Tobacco Survey Highlights Report July 2022.

· Youth smoking: In 2021, 4.2% of high school students in Indiana smoked cigarettes, higher than the 3.8% national average.

· Region: Indiana is identified by the Truth Initiative as part of a "Tobacco Nation," a group of states with tobacco usage rates often 50% higher than other states.

Ball Hospital quit selling cigarettes in its gift shop in the mid-1970s. Smoking bans went into effect for patients in the early 1980s and for employees shortly thereafter. I know, because I was part of the team at Ball Hospital that helped to initiate the no-smoking policy for patients and then for employees.

Finally, it’s unforgiveable how adults serve as poor examples for our youth. Smoking, particularly vaping, is a major health concern for middle school and high school students in our community. And what are the commissioners considering? Let’s open a cigar and bourbon bar.

That doesn’t show much support for school administrators and parents trying to educate students that smoking is bad for them. Smoking cigars also has become more popular among teenagers because many accessible brands are cheaper than cigarettes.

I ask county commissioners not to approve the cigar and bourbon bar. It sends a terrible message about the direction of Delaware County and signals we don’t prioritize a healthy environment for all its residents and employees of such establishments.

Sheryl Swingley worked in health-care public relations for nearly 12 years and was involved in initiating smoke-free workplaces and promoting smoking cessation programs.

Source: https://www.thestarpress.com/story/opinion/contributors/2026/03/30/muncie-resident-asks-delaware-county-commissioners-to-reject-cigar-and-bourbon-bar/89384993007/