As the legislative session comes to a close Thursday, legislation regarding a statewide smoking ban still remains on the floor.
With only three days left in the session, state lawmakers face increasing pressure to put a version of the ban up for a vote.
There are currently four proposals under consideration in the two houses, the best being a compromise offered by Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker, D-Weston.
Decker's compromise delays the onset of the ban, allowing restaurants and taverns to make a gradual transition into a smoke-free environment.
Workplaces and alcohol-free restaurants would be required to ban smoking June 1, 2009. For restaurants and taverns serving alcohol, smoking would be banned July 1, 2011.
Although this date may seem far away to smoking-ban supporters, for the government it is a reasonable time frame. This proposal only pushes back the start date by a year from other versions of the legislation.
Although smoke-free advocates - including Gov. Jim Doyle - aspired to implement a comprehensive public smoking ban this year, they now support bills, like Decker's, with implementation dates of 2009.
Decker's proposal calls for uniform implementation across the state. This will prevent municipalities across Wisconsin from enacting individual smoking bans until the statewide ban takes effect.
It is time state lawmakers stops issuing proposals and vote before this session ends. Leaders of both houses should allow a vote on this legislation before March 13 - it can only benefit Wisconsin residents.
