City Council members will vote tonight on a controversial ordinance that would ban smoking in many popular Madison hangouts.
While a 1992 law already prohibits smoking in restaurants, the proposal would redefine a restaurant as a place that receives more than 50 percent of its income from food sales, as opposed to the current 66 percent level. The measure would also eliminate exceptions for separately ventilated smoking rooms and smoking at full-service bars.
More than 100 downtown establishments, including The Great Dane, 123 E. Doty St., State Street Brats, 603 State St., the Nitty Gritty, 223 N. Frances St., and Luther's Blues 320 N. Randall Ave., will be affected by the proposal if passed.
Madison Mayor Sue Bauman said she is in favor of the ban because it protects customers and workers from the effects of smoking.
\I support it because I believe it's the role of government to ensure the health and welfare of the population, and breathing secondhand smoke is one of the most dangerous things for people's health,"" she said.
According to Bauman, there is a difference between choosing to eat in a smoking environment and choosing to work in one.
""People don't have the options and opportunities in finding workplaces that they might in finding places to go out and socialize,"" she said.
Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said he opposed the ordinance.
""I cannot support the proposal in its current form because I think it goes way too far in taking us down the road of banning smoking in bars,"" Verveer said.
Verveer added that smokers needed someplace where they could indulge and socialize at the same time.
""Madisonians who wish to dine or drink in a non-smoking place have no shortage of choices,"" he said. ""Smokers, on the other hand, have relatively few.""
According to Verveer, the ordinance could also push large crowds of smokers out into the sidewalks in front of restaurants, causing difficulties for the police.
Ross Johnson, general manager of State Street Brats, said the measure was a step too far for city government.
""Instead of allowing freedom of choice for restaurant owners, they again are dictating policies according to their own personal preferences without regard to our property rights,"" Johnson said. ""To come into a private building and say, 'You can't allow a legal activity' ... essentially they're telling us to discriminate against smokers.""
Whatever their stance, everyone agreed that tonight's meeting will be exciting.
""I think the place will be packed. ... I think we'll be very close,"" Verveer said. ""It could go either way.\
