State-run government buildings will be subject to an all-building smoking ban within 30 days, and Gov. Jim Doyle urged Monday that local government buildings follow suit.
This measure is one in a string of bans enacted throughout Wisconsin and Dane County to prohibit smoking in public buildings.
In April 2004, Doyle also signed legislation to ban smoking in areas surrounding student housing complexes. A ticket of $10 can be issued to those caught smoking inside a 25-foot boundary that surrounds all student housing entryways.
Officials say the new ban is a response to an increasing health concern for smokers and those around smokers.
\Statistics show that 14 percent of the health care costs are caused by firsthand or secondhand smoke,"" said State Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison. ""The more you regulate where you can smoke, and make it more difficult to smoke, you in effect discourage people from smoking and you improve their health.""
Risser added that smoking bans are good fiscal policy because they cut back on healthcare costs and they also promote good health among smokers and non-smokers alike.
""If you let people smoke at the door you are basically walking through a cloud of smoke to get in a public building,"" said State Rep. Spencer Black, D-Madison.
When asked about extending smoking bans to other outdoor areas, such as parks, Black said, ""I think areas where there are lots of people close together, even if it's outdoors, especially when there are children, there shouldn't be smoking in those areas.""
The smoking ban initiative has potential to reach new areas of state and local jurisdiction, possibly moving to more outdoor areas in the future.
""It is not unusual to have outdoor areas smoke-free,"" Risser said.
However, some area smokers take a different perspective on the smoking bans.
""Smoking is something people do,"" said UW-Madison sophomore Mark Walkawski, a Witte resident. ""The $10 ticket just seems dumb.""
Walkawski said he would continue to smoke within the boundaries even if he were to receive a ticket.
Risser and Black both agree that smoking is harmful to those with the habit and to those who do not smoke.
""The tobacco habit is a very unhealthy habit,"" said Black. ""It drives up healthcare costs and we all pay healthcare costs for smokers.""
