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Taverns light up capitol

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Also by Keegan Kyle:

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Doyle set to sign off on ethics (February 2, 2007)
Volunteerism on the road (October 19, 2007)
Down and dirty on campus sanitation (October 11, 2007)

by Keegan Kyle

Wednesday, February 28, 2007

More than 300 members of the Wisconsin Tavern League climbed the marble steps of the state Capitol Tuesday and urged lawmakers to protest any bill that aims to impose a statewide smoking ban on almost every indoor workplace.

The annual meeting and lobbying event came one day after Senate President Fred Risser, D-Madison, began circulating preliminary legislation with exactly that goal.

Pete Madland, executive director of the nonprofit Wisconsin Tavern League, said the trade organization opposes municipal and statewide smoking bans since both can hurt local businesses.

"There is no difference because those should be the decisions of business owners, not the government," Madland said, adding the organization's position was guided by its board of directors and a 2,500-person membership survey.

Members lobbied legislators for about three hours Monday afternoon, and Madland said the organization will continue grassroots campaigning in the upcoming months.

"Our members will surely be talking with representatives," Madland added.

Risser's anti-smoking bill is not his first attempt to regulate cigarette smoking and tobacco use across Wisconsin.

Gov. Jim Doyle signed a bill in 2004 authored by Sen. Risser and others banning smoking in University of Wisconsin System residence halls and within 25 feet of all campus buildings.

Doyle also approved a 2003 bill by Risser prohibiting smoking in all buildings owned and leased by the state.

Two years ago, state Sen. Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, introduced a bill prohibiting smoking in restaurants and bowling centers, among other public places, and it would have overruled any local ordinances. The Senate did not pass the bill.

Mike Prentiss, spokesperson for Sen. Fitzgerald, now minority leader of the Senate, opposes Sen. Risser's statewide smoking ban.

"[Sen. Fitzgerald] would like bar owners to set their own positions," Prentiss said. "It may not be a popular habit or what people like, but it's legal."

Doyle promoted the complete statewide smoking ban in his State of the State Address Jan. 31 but has since said he would consider exempting bars and taverns so at least some areas may become smoke-free.

The nonprofit Wisconsin Restaurant Association, which represents more than 16,000 eateries across the state, said it will support a statewide smoking ban but only if the bill contains no exemptions.

"We feel as long as there are no exemptions, … everyone keeps the customers they already got," said Peter Hanson, director of government relations.

Hanson said the organization agrees with Sen. Risser's general concept because the bill would "level the playing field" among businesses. About 30 Wisconsin municipalities including Madison have anti-smoking ordinances.

Sen. Risser said Monday he plans to introduce the bill officially to the Senate sometime in early March. In the meantime, some members of the Legislature are already lining up their concerns.

"Just because Risser's party controls the Senate doesn't mean it's going to coast through," Prentiss said. "[He's] got some hurdles to overcome."

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Anonymous (February 28, 2007 @ 9:57pm):

I agree with many of the bar owners. If someone wants to have a smoke free resturant they should be able to have one and those who dont shouldn't be forced to. No one if forcing people to go to places where there is smoking. If it was in the interest of the business im sure they would do it, so when people say that this is making more money I am very skeptical.

Anonymous (March 1, 2007 @ 12:48pm):

bar owners shouldn't be setting health policy. the health experts should so we should be totally smoke free and then everyone wins, employees, workers, owners and the rest of us who like to taste our beer.

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