Spring Break
Proposed smoking ban could affect city bars
Courtney Teague-Carter
Issue date: 2/13/08 Section: News
Second-hand smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals including more than 40 cancer-causing agents and more than 200 known poisons, according to a 2005 report released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Some of the health effects of prolonged exposure to second-hand smoke include lung cancer, respiratory tract infections and heart disease.
Yet many bar and restaurant owners around Wisconsin believe this ban could have harmful effects to their businesses. While there are some who are fearful, others believe the ban will not stop people from smoking or supporting their business.
"I'm not a smoker myself," Sweet said. "But I do sell cigarettes and people are still buying them. I think people will still come out to the bars."
Recently many restaurants in Wisconsin adopted the "smoke-free environment" policy, eliminating the smoking section or making the non-smoking sections larger.
"We have converted our restaurants," Christon said. "We now have very small smoking sections. But pretty soon the restaurants will be completely converted."
While the state's legislature has yet to decide on the different aspects of the proposed ban, Doyle is asking for it to take effect in January 2009.
Yet many bar and restaurant owners around Wisconsin believe this ban could have harmful effects to their businesses. While there are some who are fearful, others believe the ban will not stop people from smoking or supporting their business.
"I'm not a smoker myself," Sweet said. "But I do sell cigarettes and people are still buying them. I think people will still come out to the bars."
Recently many restaurants in Wisconsin adopted the "smoke-free environment" policy, eliminating the smoking section or making the non-smoking sections larger.
"We have converted our restaurants," Christon said. "We now have very small smoking sections. But pretty soon the restaurants will be completely converted."
While the state's legislature has yet to decide on the different aspects of the proposed ban, Doyle is asking for it to take effect in January 2009.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 7
Dave Wilcox
posted 2/13/08 @ 11:11 AM CST
"What a jerk," Bob Sweet, owner of the Downstairs Sports Bar and Grill, said of Gov. Doyle.
Well, how very enlightening, Mr. Sweet. It's pretty much a sign that you can't make a good argument when that's your opening line. (Continued…)
Bill Hannegan
posted 2/13/08 @ 6:01 PM CST
This smoking ban has been pushed using so much junk science and bad information, it won't be a valid law when it passes. The Wisconsin ban should get the same respect the Ohio ban is now getting:
http://www. (Continued…)
Joey
posted 2/14/08 @ 7:11 AM CST
Mr. Wilcox,
Obviously, the writer of this article leans strongly "pro-ban". If you've ever been interviewed by the press, you know that they will take whatever they want from your interview. (Continued…)
TJ
posted 2/14/08 @ 2:15 PM CST
Give it up, pro-smoking advocates. Your days are numbered.
I can't find logic in the pro-smoker argument that alleges the lack of smoke-free establishments proves there isn't a demand for said establishments. (Continued…)
Marc VG
posted 2/14/08 @ 8:31 PM CST
I don't enjoy someone smoking next to me, but I respect the freedom that person has to smoke and even more, the freedom the business owner has to make the decision if smoking will be allowed in his establishment or not. (Continued…)
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