Since Madison's smoking ban took effect July 1, 2005, it has invoked a fierce battle among all segments of the Madison population. Despite the proclamations from both sides of the fight over the smoking ban, a clear effect of the smoking ban is uncertain given the relatively short time it has been in place.
Whether downtown bars are suffering is unclear because the smoking ban has not been in effect while most students are in Madison. No one is sure how the student population will respond to the smoking ban.
In addition, business owners are just now beginning to adapt to the smoking ban. The Madison City Council has been inundated with dozens of requests for outdoor patios and sidewalk cafes from business owners adjusting to the ban. Until the full effect of the smoking ban is certain, the city should not rush to judgment.
Yet, there are aspects of the smoking ban that are unacceptable. The fact that customers at cigar bars are no longer allowed to smoke is ridiculous. The majority of the City Council has ignored common sense by striking down referendums to exempt cigar bars from the smoking ban. Dive bars, which serve no food, should also be exempt from the smoking ban.
A viable solution to adjust the law without throwing it out the window is a system of taxes or tax incentives for bar owners. Providing a heavy tax incentive for bars that remain smoke free and/or a tax on bars that allow smoking would allow the bars that absolutely depend on the smoking crowd, such as those on the outskirts of Madison, to continue business, while allowing those that remain smoke free to reap benefits.
The Madison City Council will meet twice in September to consider a repeal of the smoking ban and possibily bringing the smoking ban to a public referendum. A referendum is a foolish decision because it would be far more difficult to pass than simply repealing the law. However, before repealing the law, the City Council should consider giving the law more time and simply adjust the smoking ban with a system of taxes and exemptions to improve and fix the current law.
The university's decision to start classes Friday, Sept. 2, gives us reason to doubt the intelligence of those who determine the university's yearly schedule. As students languish in a final exam Dec/ 23, and their friends at other schools enjoy time with their families, they should remember this scheduling blunder.
Starting classes Wednesday, August 31, would have been a more intelligent plan. Most importantly, it would push forward final exams two days, which would give students time to travel or spend with their families.
The Friday start date is pointless because most students only have discussion sections, which will not take place. Some freshmen, unaware of the purpose of discussion sections, will start their college academic life by staring at a note telling them to go home.
Since most students are in Madison already, including those who moved into the dorm rooms four to five days before the start of classes, it is ridiculous to not start classes earlier in order for students to leave for the holidays earlier, like their friends at other universities. Until common sense returns to UW scheduling students can continue to despair at last second travel plans and wasted days.
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