By Kory Eichers Douglass
The Daily Cardinal
A proposed smoking ban for all workplaces in Wisconsin is at an impasse in the Senate, due to its inclusion of bars. Sen. Roger Breske, D-Madison, one of the ban's major opponents, and Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison, who originally brought forth the ban, decided that no compromise regarding the inclusion of bars was possible. The lawmakers introduced the bill in April with a hopeful outlook, but now its future is uncertain. This is an unfortunate turn of events, for although the ban would require many bars and taverns to change the way they operate, bar and tavern employees should have the same health rights as any other type of paid worker.
Workers should be entitled to an atmosphere free of secondhand smoke.
Although nonsmokers have been putting up with secondhand smoke for years, studies have proven its dangers. The University of Wisconsin Comprehensive Cancer Center found that bar employees in Madison and Appleton showed fewer unhealthy symptoms related to secondhand smoke after lawmakers banned smoking in these cities. Not only did the smoke-free workers show fewer instances of shortness of breath, but also that the risk of asthma, respiratory infection and lung cancer decreased. It is important to note that the Environmental Protection Agency has classified secondhand smoke as a carcinogen.
Wisconsin would not be the only state to enact such laws. Approximately 15 other states have already prohibited smoking in almost all public places including bars and taverns. As far as the Midwest is concerned, Minnesota and Illinois will have full bans on smoking in bars and restaurants by January.
Some say banning smoking in bars would hurt those businesses. While many smokers would smoke in bars, given the opportunity, most people go to bars to drink. There are still going to be plenty of unhealthy ways for the customers to amuse themselves, but with the smoking ban, they will be able to do so with less risk for harming others. Plus, customers or employees can always go outside to smoke, and if the weather is nice enough, outside seating could be an option for bar owners who want to provide smokers with a place to sit down. As much as smokers have a right to smoke, nonsmokers have a right to enjoy themselves in a smoke-free environment.
A statewide ban on smoking in Wisconsin workplaces would be incomplete without including bars. If bars want to have the same amount of respect other workplaces receive, they need to abide by the same health standards. Also, many bar-goers may find that they actually prefer a smoke-free setting to a smoky one. With so many states having already enacted full smoking bans, it would be a shame for Wisconsin to refuse to pass the ban.
Kory Eichers Douglass is a freshmen with an undecided major. Please send responses to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
