Establishes a license to sell liquor at retail for consumption on premises in a cigar lounge; defines "cigar lounge"; requires cigar lounges to provide written notification warning employees of the dangers of exposure to tobacco smoke.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A2961A
SPONSOR: Woerner TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the alcoholic beverage control law, in relation to
establishing a license to sell liquor at retail for consumption on prem-
ises in a cigar lounge; and to amend the labor law, in relation to
requiring cigar lounges to provide written notification warning employ-
ees of the dangers of exposure to tobacco smoke
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL::
To allow on premises consumption of alcohol in a cigar lounge.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: amends the alcoholic beverage control law to add a new subdi-
vision 7-e that provides a definition of "cigar lounge"
Section 2: amends the alcoholic beverage control law to add a new
section 64f that lays out the requirements for a license to sell liquor
at retail for on premises consumption in a cigar lounge.
Section 3: amends the alcoholic beverage control law by adding a new
subdivision 11 to section 66 that sets the annual fee for a license to
sell liquor for on premises consumption in a cigar lounge.
Section 4: amends the labor law by adding a new section 202-n that would
require a written notice to employees and applicants working in a cigar
lounge of the potential negative health effects of working in a cigar
lounge.
section 5: establishes the effective date.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND AMENDED VERSION (IF APPLICABLE):
Section 1 amends paragraph h of subdivision 7-e of section 3 of the
alcoholic beverage control law to remove the reference which limits the
definition of "cigar lounge" to a retail store with a retail dealer
certificate of registration for cigarettes and tobacco products first
issued prior to June first, two thousand eighteen, and section 2 amends
subdivision 2 of section 64-f of the alcoholic beverage control law to
remove a similar limitation.
JUSTIFICATION::
Allowing cigar lounges to offer alcohol to their patrons would greatly
benefit both New York State and many small businesses. The State would
receive increased revenues on an annual basis from licensing fees and
cigar lounges would also now have an additional stream of revenue that
would help enhance the experience of their customers.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY::
A.8162/S.6742 of 2022: Referred to Economic Development/Passed Senate
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS::
Increased annual license fees for the State.
EFFECTIVE DATE::
This act shall take effect immediately.
