It's almost a done deal.
From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Smoking would be banned in restaurants, bars and other businesses starting in July 2010 under a bill the Legislature passed Wednesday.
Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle, who has made an indoor smoking ban a priority, pledged to sign the measure.
"Today, Wisconsin is taking an important step to save lives and protect our kids and citizens from the scourge of tobacco," Doyle said in a statement.
"I wish the ban would be implemented sooner, but I am proud the state is embracing the healthy direction the world is going. Making Wisconsin smoke-free will save money in health care costs, improve public health across the state and save lives."
The measure passed the Senate 25-8 and the Assembly 61-38.
Virtually all workplaces would become smoke-free on July 5, 2010.
The Tavern League of Wisconsin fought the ban for years. Though the group lost the battle, it won a concession by delaying the start date a year. Taverns and restaurants could allow smoking in outdoor areas under the bill.
I don't think delaying the start of the ban for a year is much of a victory for the Tavern League.
It's better than nothing, but not much better.
...[T]he only Senate Democrat to vote against the bill, Kathleen Vinehout of Alma, said a ban would unfairly interfere with the decisions of small businesses.
"I don't believe the state should be telling small businesses what to do," Vinehout said.
Rep. Joel Kleefisch (R-Oconomowoc) said lawmakers shouldn't infringe on employers' ability to run their businesses.
"We're telling the owners of businesses that they can't allow a legal product," he said. "Don't punish business owners that are allowing a legal activity."
Rep. Scott Suder (R-Abbotsford) said a ban would cause taverns in northern Wisconsin to go out of business.
"What works in Madison doesn't work in Abbotsford, doesn't work in Hayward and doesn't work in many of the rural areas of this state," he said.
Punishing businesses in Wisconsin is one of the things that Jim Doyle does best.
That's sure to be his legacy.
6 comments:
It's a sad day for liberty :(
I view smoking bans as public hygiene issue. I have seen people asked to leave an establishment for smells.
Justs like business owners fighting against a sewage treatment plant being within nose-shot.
So you support the ban, Lee?
I don't smoke and I really don't like being around smoke.
I also don't like the government forcing private business owners to cease allowing people to engage in a legal activity on their private property.
"I view smoking bans as public hygiene issue. I have seen people asked to leave an establishment for smells."
Going into a McDonald's and expecting the Government to make it NOT smell like grease is an unresonable expectation. Likewise, going into a smoking establishment and expecting the government to make it NOT smell like a smoking establishment is also an unreasonable expectation.
Regardless, the State legislature is empowered to be this unreasonable with our Liberty.
Yes we gain some public health saftey; but it's at the expense of our Liberty, even your's Lee.
If smoking did not infringe on the liberties of others, this would be an issue.
"The right to swing my fist ends where the other man's nose begins." -- Oliver Wendell Holmes
Lee,
I hope you fit the government standard weight for your height, because I find the sight of overweight people repulsive. Your nose, my eyes. And plenty of people die from being overweight. You just don't get it - this opens the door for more liberties to be legislated away. Please explain why ALL the non smokers didn't run the smoking establishments out of business ?
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