With the smoking ban in Madison slated to go into effect July 1, the Tavern League of Wisconsin has proposed a bill that would limit the ban's coverage.
The league is promoting the adoption of a single statewide law that would ban smoking in all dining or eating areas, but would allow smoking in bar areas and bowling centers. According to Tavern League Chief Operations Manager Peter Madland, however, bowling lanes would have to meet certain air requirements.
Madland said the thrust of their efforts in proposing the bill is to create a ban that would provide uniformity statewide.
\Our members feel this is our business,"" Madland said. ""Tobacco is a legal product and therefore we should allow smoking. It's a business decision.""
Madland added the bill would pre-empt local ordinances and help patch the holes 30 different Wisconsin smoking ordinances created.
""We think this is a good solution and something smokers and non-smokers can deal with,"" Madland said. ""This way, the non-smokers with their families can go into any dining room in the state of Wisconsin and it will be smoke free.""
However, Rep. Spencer Black, D-Madison, is upset with the new proposal.
""I can't say if this will pass or not, but I'm very much opposed to it,"" Black said. ""This is a decision that should be left to the local communities. It's wrong for legislators to dictate what decisions local communities can make on matters that affect the local community.""
Black added this bill is part of a bad trend because ""when local governments make a decision that special interest groups don't like, they run to the state Legislature to try and overturn the decision that was already made by the local communities.""
Black also said taverns may be surprised with the results of the smoking ban because there are a lot of potential customers who like to have a drink, but do not attend bars due to their smoky atmosphere.
Mayor Dave Cieslewicz believes the harm of cigarette and cigar smoke is no longer debated.
""The mayor supports the smoking ban because the people of Madison shouldn't have to breathe in the secondhand smoke in their bars,"" said George Twigg, Cieslewicz's spokesperson.
