Substitute Senate Bill No. 228 seeks to amend Connecticut's laws concerning liquor permits and tobacco bars by redefining the criteria for what constitutes a "cafe." The bill repeals and replaces subsection (k) of section 30-22a, now allowing a tobacco bar to qualify as a cafe if it generates at least 60% of its total annual gross sales from on-site tobacco product sales, is located in a municipality with a population of at least 40,000 (down from 80,000), and meets specific ventilation and health coverage requirements for employees. Additionally, the operational start date for tobacco bars is extended from December 31, 2022, to December 31, 2025, thereby increasing the number of establishments eligible for indoor smoking of certain products, including cigars and e-cigarettes, while still prohibiting cigarettes.

The bill also modifies smoking and vaping restrictions in public spaces, clarifying that smoking is prohibited in state-owned buildings, healthcare institutions, and restaurants, with exceptions for tobacco bars. It introduces new definitions for "tobacco bar" and "outdoor" areas, and mandates that these establishments must have a walk-in humidor and proper ventilation systems. The overall aim of the bill is to regulate tobacco use more strictly while allowing for designated tobacco bars to operate under specific conditions, potentially generating additional revenue for the state through the issuance of more permits and increased sales. The effective date for the bill is set for October 1, 2026.