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US: Cigar Bars Prepare for Big Changes Source from: KETV 7 Omaha 01/05/2015 "All the ashtrays go off the tables, so to speak," Bob Batt, of the Liquor Control Commission, said. In August, the Nebraska Supreme Court ruled that the exemption that allowed smoking in cigar bars was unconstitutional. But cigar bars had been operating as normal, waiting for the ruling to be finalized. All that changed when the Liquor Control Commission received the ruling Friday. "If you wish to smoke at your favorite cigar bar, do so this weekend," Batt said. Starting Tuesday, cigar bars will be able to sell alcohol and cigars, but customers will only be able to consume the alcohol inside. "You can smoke it if you are outside. Unfortunately, this is January, it's a little cold. It's very cold," Batt said. That change is frustrating for cigar bar customers. "I see it as kind of an infringement on my personal choice as an American citizen," cigar bar customer Jim Webering said. "It really stinks that someone had to ruin it for everybody," cigar bar customer Tim Reavis said. But business owners who work near cigar bars said it's more complicated. "I think it's kind of disappointing for some customers of them, and it's been a good change for Omaha," owner of Ahmad's said. But when cigar bars open Tuesday, opinions won't matter. If bar owners allow customers to light up, they're breaking the law and risking their liquor license. "The liquor commission will not be out checking bars. That's up to the local authorities, whether it's the health department, Health and Human Services Division or State Patrol," Batt said. Batt said the Legislature is working on a new exemption that would allow smoking in cigar bars again, but unless a new law passes, smokers will have to light their cigars outside or at home. KETV reached out to several cigar bars in Omaha but none of them would provide comments. Enditem |