MADISON, Wis. -- A Madison Common Council member told WISC-TV he has the votes to change the city's smoking ban.

Alderman Mike Verveer said he has nine co-sponsors for a proposal that would exempt cigar bars from the smoking ban.

According to Verveer, two other alders have also promised their support behind the exemption, which is enough to pass the proposal.

The proposal would allow cigars and pipe tobacco smoking in businesses that can prove 10 percent of revenue comes from the sale of tobacco products, other than cigarettes.

Cigar bars like Maduro would be able to apply for the exemption.

While cigar and pipe smoking would be allowed, cigarette smoking would not.

"This is not a slippery slope that's going to lead to the smoking ban being repealed in any way, shape or form," said Verveer. "I think this is it. I don't know that any of my colleagues have any interest in revisiting this past tomorrow night."

But opponents say the exemption sets a dangerous precedent.

"Once you provide an exemption for one person who has got the ear of his alder as far as a hardship in his business, we foresee that there may be others," said Tobacco Free Dane County's Gary Poulson.

Another proposed change to the smoking ban is much less controversial.

It would allow chewing tobacco in all public places, something that wasn't clarified in the original smoking ban.

The Madison City Council takes up the cigar bar exemption Tuesday night.