Bill > S504

Introduced Session

This bill would establish a new exemption from the requirements of the "New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act" to allow additional cigar bars to open in the Atlantic City Tourism District. The bill would require that any cigar bar established under its provisions be registered with the local board of health and approved as a permitted use by the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority. Smoking in the new cigar bars would be limited to cigars, and the new bars would not be located on the premises of a casino. A cigar bar authorized under the bill will be required to have a license or permit authorizing the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises, and to restrict entry to only persons 21 years of age and older. For the purposes of complying with State laws concerning retail liquor licenses, all sales of cigars and food at the cigar bar will be deemed to be an accommodation to patrons, and all nonalcoholic beverage sales will be deemed as accessory to alcoholic beverages. It is the sponsor's belief that allowing new cigar bars and lounges to open will help promote tourism, enhance the Atlantic City experience, allow vacant properties to be redeveloped into thriving businesses, and stimulate additional commercial development in the Atlantic City Tourism District.

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Chris Brown (R)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee (on 01/14/2020)