I'd say everyone in your party buy at least one even though the prices might be outrageous as an attempt to try to keep cigar lounge afloat.
Here in MA, current laws/taxes make it nearly impossible to maintain a cigar bar/lounge. Some places charge a "cutting fee" if you brought your own and/or you had to make a purchase there. Sadly most cigar places in MA have been run out of business with the restrictions imposed on them.
What are the permit eligibility requirements for becoming a smoking bar?
An establishment must be:
1. A majority (at least 51%) of the bar’s revenue is from on-site sale of tobacco products;
2. Revenue from the sale of food, alcohol, or other beverages is incidental to the sale of tobacco products;
3. Prohibits any food or alcoholic beverage that are not sold directly by the business to be consumed on the
premises;
4. Prohibits entry to any person under the age of 18 during business hours;
5. Maintains a valid permit for retail sale of tobacco products required to be issued by the appropriate authority
in the city or town where the establishment is located;
6. Maintains a license (from Department of Revenue) to sell tobacco; and
7. Maintains a valid permit to operate a smoking bar issued by the Department of Revenue. Some local laws
may exist that either do not permit an exemption for such an establishment, or have additional conditions
that must be met before the establishment may permit smoking
https://www.mass.gov/doc/questions-about-cigar-and-hookah-bars/download
This doesn't apply to you but last time I looked, the entire state of MA has only 25 licensed cigar smoking bar/lounges permits (cigs are pretty much outlawed). Pretty sad really... only 25 places in the entire state are allowed to have cigar smoking and they need to maintain, at least, 51% of their sales from cigars. Drinks and food that they might serve do not count so the cigar prices are pretty crazy in order for them to maintain their cigar smoking permits.
https://www.mass.gov/doc/licensed-smoking-bar-permits/download
