A statewide smoking ban proposal, introduced Wednesday would require all indoor work and public places to become smoke-free, leaving some bar owners up in smoke.
The bill, authored by Rep. Steve Wieckert, R-Appleton, faces opposition by the Tavern League of Wisconsin and local business owners.
""A statewide smoking ban levels the playing field whether the restaurant is in Racine or Appleton or Green Bay,"" Wieckert said. ""They are all competing with the same rules in place.""
The Breathe Free Wisconsin Act is expected to reach the state Assembly in October, according to Wieckert.
""Today, in 2007, we need to take the next step, continue moving in the right direction and ban smoking from all public places in Wisconsin,"" Gov. Jim Doyle said in a statement Wednesday. ""Not only will this prevent more people from taking up smoking and help others quit ... it will help control the soaring costs of health care and bring relief to all Wisconsin citizens.""
State Street Brats General Manager Matt Goetsch, 30, views the smoking ban as harmful. He has watched the Madison smoking ban affect his business, especially through a loss of profits from the cigarette vending machine.
""Just because Madison has done something, not everybody else is forced to do it,"" Goetsch said. ""Instead of seeing it as ‘this could be a mistake,' [legislators] are seeing it as, ‘let's cover up our possible mistake by making it so universal so there is nothing to compare it to.'""
A recent poll shows that 64 percent of Wisconsin citizens are in favor of a statewide smoking ban, according to statement by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
""It's a bit of an uphill battle, as it is in any state,"" Wieckert said. ""But it's a health issue and an important issue for anybody who has a job and knows he can work in a clean, smoke free environment.""
