State deserves smoking ban this year
A Wisconsin State Journal editorial
January 12,
2008 Too many state lawmakers missed a turn on Wisconsin 's way
to a statewide, indoor smoking ban for most public places.
They now ought to back up, shift direction and get on the same
route as the state Senate committee that last week approved a
smoking ban.
The Senate bill, which delays the ban 's start for bars and
restaurants, is a reasonable compromise. Wisconsin deserves to have
it passed this year.
However, Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch, R-West Salem, last week
was busy being a roadblock. He said a smoking ban is doubtful for
this year.
The Assembly has not even introduced a companion bill to the
compromise that passed the Senate committee.
In addition, Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker, D-Weston,
indicated that he wants to further dilute the smoking ban.
Opponents of a smoking ban should look around. More and more
states are passing smoking bans covering most indoor public places,
including restaurants and bars.
By Feb. 1 fully half the states will have smoking bans in all
restaurants. And by the end of 2009, smoking in all bars will be
banned in at least 22 states.
It 's time for Wisconsin to join the trend -- for the public 's
health and for the sake of uniform regulation.
Wisconsin currently has a hodgepodge of local smoking bans,
including Madison 's. As a result, restaurants and bars face an
unfair competitive environment.
Furthermore, customers accustomed to a smoke-free atmosphere in
one community can be unpleasantly surprised to be confronted by
smoke in another.
Secondhand smoke is not only annoying to many nonsmokers but also
hazardous, particularly to employees subject to repeated
exposure.
The U.S. surgeon general has reported that even casual exposure
to secondhand smoke can have adverse effects on a nonsmoker 's heart
and circulatory system.
The compromise in the Senate would take effect in workplaces in
2009 and in restaurants and bars in 2010.
The nearly two-year delay for bars and restaurants is more than
generous. If opponents continue to balk at the inevitable, bars and
restaurants risk being saddled with a smoking ban that will give
them far less time to prepare.
Madison 's smoking ban is a good example of how well such bans
can work. Though smokers ' rights have been curtailed, smokers can
still find accommodation in outdoor areas set aside for smoking.
Some bars and restaurants have become especially adept at providing
outdoor amenities, with heaters for winter and shade for summer.
The value to public health is indisputable. Make the turn,
lawmakers. Make the turn.
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