Despite a statewide ban on smoking in public places, some Colorado strip clubs keep smoking, thanks to a loophole in the law.
Daniel Fairbanks, director of PT’s Showclub in Denver, said the strip club is considered a “cibar bar,” thus it’s exempt from the new state law which went into effect last month, the Rocky Mountain News reported Sunday.
Under the measure, a cigar bar is a business that must prove that at least 5 percent or $50,000 of its revenue came from the sale of cigarettes or other tobacco products in 2005.
The new law prohibits smoking in bars, restaurants and nearly all workplaces, with the exception of casinos, airport smoking areas and cigar bars.
But Democratic state Rep. Paul Weissman, said the strip clubs are trying to pull a fast one.
Weissman claims club owners are attempting to create a loophole in the law that doesn’t exist and he is asking law enforcement officials to investigate.
Other clubs like downtown Denver’s Diamond Cabaret, as well as Shotgun Willie’s in nearby Glendale, Colo., are smoking up a storm, claiming they should be allowed to smoke with their new cigar bar designation.
Shotgun Willie’s manager Karl Brewick said business has increased since people have found out that they can smoke at the club.
But some local bar owners are criticizing strip club owners for using the new cigar bar designation to their advantage.
Jim Von Feldt, owner of Billy’s Inn bar complained his business is down 35 percent since the new law took effect, saying his business will be hard pressed to survive.
