While smoking is still a ways away from becoming a reality in Washington state, the idea took another step forward today as Senate Bill 5917 cleared the Senate Committee on Commerce & Labor by a vote of 5-2. The House Committee on Commerce & Gaming passed a similar version of the bill in late January. Joe Arundel, president of the Cigar Association of Washington and owner of Rain City Cigars, said that the bill, as well as its companion in the state House of Representatives, still has an uphill fight ahead of it, but called it a good start to the process needed to allow cigar smokers to light up in cigar stores and lounges. The CAW has also announced that it will be holding its annual CIGARABRATION fundraiser on March 1 to help raise additional funds for legislative efforts.
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