Hookah Lounge... possible??

**Mrs.Rose** · 09-03-2009 06:39 PM

I want to open a hookah lounge in my town, but I just found out there is a non-smoking ordinance here. Basically it is a smoking ban in public places, including bars.
I am getting nowhere trying to get answers from the city. Is there a way around this?

Help!!

Thanks

**Mrs.Rose** · 09-03-2009 07:13 PM

Or, any suggestions of who I can try to contact in the city to get more information or try to get permits?
I contacted the city and no one has returned my call. I also emailed and I recieved a reply with an attachment to the actual ordinance and it said "for any more questions contact the fire department." ???

I know there is a smoking ban here... but what if my lounge sold the tobacco and with the purchase you could use a hookah for free? Is that silly?

Also, I know that the ordinance states that smoking is prohibited in even private clubs... is this business just not going to happen for me??

Any thoughts are appreciated...

**SmallVolume** · 09-03-2009 11:52 PM

Although the public is smoke forbade, but you can sell cigar and accessory. Maybe just like you open a other store, it is easy.

**LSnyder** · 09-04-2009 02:05 PM

Hi Mrs. Rose,

My husband works in the food and beverage industry. In other terms, he works as a bartender. The no smoking ordinance has effected most states in the U.S. I do remember when this all started, hearing about certain ways to get around this.
First, and please don't quote me because I may be incorrect with some of my information, i believe the bar itself had to sell tobacco in certain quantities. I also remember something to the effect of closing off the smoking area within the bar and having separate ventilation units for both areas.
I would suggest contacting the board of health to start and maybe even your SBA or a domestic attorney. There is a website called the lawguru.com. You may be able to enter your question and have an attorney contact you with a free consult. Make sure you specify your state and county as laws may differ county wide.
Good luck to you. I wish I could have been of more assistance.

Lisa

**Mrs.Rose** · 09-05-2009 11:25 AM

Thank you for your advice. I shot an email over to lawguru so I'll keep you updated on any reply.
I'm working hard just to find a loophole becuase I know a hookah lounge in this town would be huge. I have everything in order, I just need to get around this pesky little law to get started.
Still, any thoughts are very appreciated.

Thanks!

**Dannybranded** · 09-08-2009 08:54 AM

I don't know the loop hole but I do know hookah lounges in towns with smoking bans are allowed. They fall into a specific catagory that isn't effected by the ban. Both of the major cities I have lived in have smoking bans, both of them have great hookah bars. I know this isn't much help but it should give you some hope.

**Bodge4** · 09-20-2009 10:39 PM

I own a cigar lounge among other businesses. The "catch" to be able to smoke inside is simple. In most states if your business is the sale of tobacco and tobacco related products only you are exempt for the non smoking laws.

Please note every state is different and I do not know for a fact the exact laws of your state. If you need legal advice contact a local lawyer.

**hookahkings49** · 09-21-2009 04:52 AM

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**Nathan.Comstock** · 09-28-2009 08:06 PM

Not that the laws are anywhere close to one another, but several lounges in Vancouver have gotten around this problem with how the bylaw is written. The bylaw specifically states that no tobacco may be smoked inside or with 7 meters of the doorway of a public establishment. Because hookah tobacco is made from fruit instead of tobacco, they let it slide.