BISMARCK – Smoking in public places in North Dakota, banned by a ballot measure in 2012, is about to change somewhat.
On Tuesday Governor Doug Burgum signed into law House Bill 1229. What was known as the “cigar lounge” bill goes into effect August 1 of this year.
The bill, which originally included bars, was amended to cigar lounges as defined by the bill. In addition, cigar lounges must generate fifteen percent of the business’s annual gross income from cigar sales.
“A cigar lounge, which has a valid certificate issued by the tax commissioner under this subdivision; has a humidor on the premises; is enclosed by solid walls or windows, a ceiling, and a solid door; and is equipped with a ventilation system by which exhausted air is not recirculated to nonsmoking areas and smoke is not backstreamed into nonsmoking areas. A cigar lounge meeting the requirements of this subdivision my permit the smoking of cigars purchased on the premises, but may not permit the smoking of any other product on the premises.”
Rep. Dan Ruby, R-Dis. 38, Minot, was the primary sponsor of the bill.
"I was very happy to hear that the Governor signed HB1229, the cigar lounge bill. It will be a great opportunity for some people who want to start a business that caters to people who enjoy cigars," said Ruby. "It’s taken a few sessions for it to get the support needed to get to the Governor. I could have put many more sponsors on the bill if our rule allowed it because many said they would have liked to be on the bill. Many others, not in the legislature, expressed their hope of the bills passing so I think it is more popular than people think."
