Bill > HB1318

This bill establishes a new Class C-PCL (Premium Cigar Lounge) alcoholic beverages license in Maryland, which allows tobacco retailers who primarily sell premium cigars and pipe tobacco to serve alcoholic beverages on-premises. Local licensing boards can issue one such license per 150,000 county residents (or one license in counties with fewer residents), with the license permitting beer, wine, and liquor sales from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily. Critically, the bill exempts these premium cigar lounges from the Clean Indoor Air Act, meaning smoking will be permitted, but with specific requirements: the establishment must have sufficient air filtration, display a conspicuous sign that smoking is allowed, and require employees to acknowledge potential secondhand smoke exposure. To qualify, the business must derive at least 60% of its daily receipts from premium cigars, pipe tobacco, and related accessories, and submit an annual sales compliance report. The annual license fee is set at $2,000. Additionally, the bill adjusts a previous restriction on alcoholic beverage licenses for tobacconists, modifying the time period during which such licenses cannot be issued from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, with the bill itself taking effect on July 1, 2025.

Business and Industry

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB1318?ys=2025RS