MD HB766

Creates a new Class C-PCL (premium cigar lounge) alcoholic beverages license allowing tobacconists to permit customers to bring and consume their own alcohol on premises Monday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.

Local licensing boards may issue one Class C-PCL license per 150,000 county residents, with counties under 150,000 residents permitted one license total.

Licensed premises are exempt from the Clean Indoor Air Act but must demonstrate sufficient air filtration, post signage that smoking is allowed, and have employees sign acknowledgments about secondhand smoke exposure.

License holders must derive at least 70% of average daily receipts from premium cigars, pipe tobacco, and related accessories, and submit annual sales ratio compliance reports to the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission.

County clerks are prohibited from issuing tobacconist licenses to locations adjacent to licensed health care or child care facilities; the annual license fee is $100 and the act takes effect July 2, 2026.