Wisconsin Cigar Lounge Ban: Restoring Local Choice & Free-Market Competition

On this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Ethan Sanchez (Grassroots Engagement Director, Americans for Prosperity–Wisconsin) and Marine Corps veteran Jim Thompson to unpack a little-known piece of Wisconsin law: it’s illegal to open a new cigar lounge in the state. Because of Wisconsin’s Clean Indoor Air Act, only a handful of pre-2009 cigar lounges are allowed to operate—creating a de facto state-protected monopoly and shutting out entrepreneurs like Jim, who has a full business plan, funding, and community impact model ready to go. Ethan and Jim explain: How Wisconsin’s smoking ban grandfathered old lounges but banned new ones Why modern lounges in other states have far better air purification and cleaner environments How the new bill (SB/AB 211) would not force lounges on any town, but simply return the decision to local communities What this change would mean for jobs, tax revenue, and cigar lovers who just want a place to gather and build real relationships If you care about entrepreneurship, local control, and letting adults make adult choices, this conversation will light you up like a good cigar.