There’s once again another effort to modify Pennsylvania’s Clean Indoor Air Act of 2008, this time one that would still allow for smoking in cigar bars and lounges—but it’s not all good news. Rep. Thomas Murt, R-Montgomery/Philadelphia, has introduced H.B. 682, a bill that would modify the list of exemptions for smoking in the state’s Clean Air Act. Cigar bars and lounges would continue to be exempt, but with a list of new restrictions. Cigar bars would now be required to generate a minimum of 60 percent of quarterly revenue from alcohol, while at least 25 percent would need to come from the sale of cigars. They would also be required to have a humidor and not allow anyone under the age of 18 into the cigar bar. Cigar lounges would need to also have humidor, restrict entrance to anyone under the age of 18 and generate at least 80 percent of quarterly revenue from the sale of cigars. They would be able to serve food and nonalcoholic beverages, but barred from serving alcohol. Those are relatively common rules, but Murt’s bill would impose a variety of other restrictions. Perhaps most damaging is a requirement that cigar bars and lounges must ...
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