ORDINANCE
STATE OF LOUISIANA NO. 12,271
CITY OF MONROE
The following Ordinance was introduced by Muhammad , who moved for its adoption and was seconded by Harvey :
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS 30.5-1 (DEFINITIONS) AND 30.5-9 (WHERE SMOKING NOT REGULATED) OF THE CITY OF MONROE CODE AND FURTHER PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.
WHEREAS, Chapter 30.5 of the City of Monroe, entitled “Smoke-free Air Act,” generally prohibits smoking in enclosed public places, certain outdoor public places, and places of employment;
WHEREAS, the City desires to amend the Smoke-free Air Act to permit smoking in cigar or hookah lounges under certain circumstances; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to amend Section 30.5-1 to define cigar or hookah lounge and to amend Section 30.5-9 to establish parameters concerning smoking in cigar or hookah lounges.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the City Council of the City of Monroe, in legal and regular session convened, that Section 30.5-1 is hereby amended to include the definition of “Cigar or hookah lounge,” which shall be included between the definitions for “Business” and “E-cigarette,” and read as follows:
Sec. 30.5-1. – Definitions.
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Cigar or hookah lounge means an establishment open and accessible to the public that is devoted to the smoking of cigars, hookahs, or other similar tobacco products by customers on the premises.
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BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that Section 30.5-9 is hereby amended to read as follows:
Sec. 30.5-9. – Where smoking not regulated.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter to the contrary, smoking shall not be prohibited in:
- Private residences, unless used as a childcare, adult day care, or health care facility.
- Cigar or hookah lounges, provided that:
(a) The cigar or hookah lounge is not located within a bar, restaurant, or other establishment in which the principal business is the sale of food or alcoholic beverages for consumption anywhere on the premises, and the service of food, beverages, or alcohol is only incidental to the smoking of cigars or hookahs;
(b) The cigar or hookah lounge derives at least sixty (60) percent or more of its quarterly gross revenue from the sale of cigar- or hookah-related products, such as cigars, shisha, humidors, hookah pipes and accessories, cigar cutters, cigar cases, lighters, and ashtrays;
(c) The cigar or hookah lounge is equipped with sufficient exhaust and ventilation systems to ensure worker and customer safety and to maintain breathable air quality in the establishment;
(d) No person under the age of twenty-one (21) is allowed on the premises;
(e) All applicants for employment are presented with a written notice that states that working in a cigar or hookah lounge has serious and permanent negative health effects, including but not limited to, an increased risk of cancer and heart diseases, and that no level of exposure to second-hand smoke is safe; and
(f) The cigar or hookah lounge posts signs at each entrance and exit stating that smoking is allowed on all or part of the premises.
This Ordinance was introduced on August 12, 2025.
Notice published on August 15, 2025.
This Ordinance having been submitted in writing, introduced, and published, was then submitted to a vote as a whole, the vote thereon being as follows:
AYES: Harvey, Woods, McFarland & Muhammad
NAYS: Ezernack
ABSENT: None.
And the Ordinance was declared ADOPTED on August 26, 2025.
Rodney McFarland, I
CHAIRPERSON
Carolus S. Riley
CITY CLERK
Oliver Friday Ellis
MAYOR’S APPROVAL
MAYOR’S VETO