Victory for cigar bars

Madison's City Council scored a major victory for the common sense-loving, libertarian values-sharing, cigar-puffing portion of the population just moments ago and has amended a draconian smoking ban to exempt cigar bars.

It never made much sense in the first place – banning cigar smoke in cigar bars and expecting them to survive. But anti-tobacco activists were gung-ho on making Madison's smoking ban as severe as possible, outlawing chewing tobacco, cigar bars and everything else decent.

Tonight that has been overturned, though, thanks to the efforts of Alderman Mike Verveer and the various members of the Common Council who voted alongside him in returning some modicum of decency to a city that had been shamed by an absurd provision in an already-shaky ordinance.

The Wisconsin State Journal's editorial board said it well this morning, speaking of Madison's lone surviving cigar bar:

A cigar bar exemption would not unfairly harm the health of employees at Maduro. Those who still have jobs there say they smoke and enjoy the vibe. Any new hires would understand the work environment and have many other options for similar employment.

Now victory is at hand.

And that is something worth lighting up a cigar to celebrate.