LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Cigar aficionados are calling on Nebraska lawmakers to exclude cigar bars from the state’s smoking ban.

Advocates argued in a legislative hearing Monday that a recent court ruling robbed cigar shops of the exception they deserve.

The statewide ban has excluded cigar bars, hotel guest rooms and tobacco-only retailers since 2009. In August, the Nebraska Supreme Court ruled that the allowances for cigar bars and tobacco-only retailers amounted to unconstitutional special legislation.

Supporters call cigar smoking a hobby, not an addiction, and tout cigar bars as community gathering places.

Sen. Tyson Larson of O’Neill, who introduced the bill, says patrons and employees in cigar bars choose the smoky settings and asked the committee to return to the status quo.

A representative for the American Cancer Society testified in opposition.