The new smoking ordinance in Louisville allows cigar bars to have indoor smoking if 15 percent of their earnings come from cigar or pipe tobacco sales. The exception only allows smoking pipes or cigars inside, not vapes, cigarettes, or medical cannabis. The exception was approved in a 20-6 vote by the Metro Council, with some council members citing health and worker’s rights concerns.

Bar owners like Josh Pickett at the Louisville Cigar Company are excited about the new ordinance, as it will be a game-changer for the premium tobacco industry in Louisville. The ordinance will allow people to smoke inside cigar bars, which was previously prohibited. Cigar bars must follow certain provisions, such as putting up smoke warnings and preventing smoke from escaping into nearby buildings.

Some council members, like Councilwoman Shameka-Parrish Wright, oppose the exception due to concerns about air quality and worker’s rights. The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness also opposed the exception, citing the health risks associated with smoking and secondhand smoke exposure. Despite opposition, the exception was approved and will allow cigar bars to have indoor smoking under certain conditions.