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Doyle signs statewide smoking ban
New law will affect bars, restaurants, work places; go into effect July 2010
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(AP) - Gov. Jim Doyle signed Wisconsin’s smoking ban into law on Monday, snuffing out a smoldering argument that for years had pitted anti-smoking advocates against bar owners and their patrons.
The Tavern League ultimately signed off on the ban, largely because it won’t take effect until July 5, 2010. And even then, smoking would be allowed in outdoor seating areas.
But for most bars, restaurants and other work places, smoking will be prohibited starting that Monday.
Anti-smoking advocates, including the American Cancer Society, struggled for years to find enough support in the Legislature to enact a ban. Supporters argued it was needed to protect nonsmokers from secondhand smoke.
But opponents, including the Tavern League, effectively blocked the measure, voicing concerns over the economic impact on the state’s bars. They worried that barring smoking would drive away business.
As more communities enacted bans, nonsmoking bars more frequently were pitted against nearby bars where smoking was allowed. There were 37 such local bans in effect, including in Madison, Appleton and Eau Claire, by the time the Legislature last week passed the statewide law.
Doyle pushed for it for years, but could never bring together enough votes, or support, from the Tavern League to get it passed.
Under the law, the local bans remain in effect until the state one starts, but local governments would not be allowed to pass stricter regulations.
Even under the statewide ban, there are some places where smoking would still be allowed. Tribal casinos and existing cigar bars and specialty tobacco shops will not be subject to the ban. However, hotels could no longer offer rooms for smoking.
Violators would face fines of up to $250. Business owners who don’t try to stop smokers would get a warning and then a $100 fine for subsequent violations.
Doyle first signed the bill in Milwaukee and also planned events Monday marking the occasion in Green Bay and Madison. He said the ban will save the state money in health care costs, improve public health and save lives.
Twenty-two states, including Iowa, Illinois and Minnesota, already ban smoking in bars, restaurants and workplaces. Four more states - Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota and Virginia - will do so by the end of the year.
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The so-called “compromise” was nothing but a complete sellout by those filthy traitors in the Tavern League! They purposely helped the anti-smokers falsely frame the issue as “freedom versus public health,” because they KNEW legislators would always put health ahead of their stupid whinings about “freedom” and “it’s bad for business.” THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE THEY REFUSED TO QUESTION FLAGRANT SCIENTIFIC FRAUD! They lied that: It’s “freedom versus public health (but there’s nothing wrong with the science). It’s nannyism! (but there’s nothing wrong with the science). It’s bad for business! (but there’s nothing wrong with the science). It’s a slippery slope (but there’s nothing wrong with the science). It violates property rights (but there’s nothing wrong with the science). And the criminals in the mass media refused to expose the anti-smokers’ lies, censored the informed opposition, and repeated Big Lies over and over again! http://www.smokershistory.com/wismoker.html
sorry for ya carol….the rest of the world, ie those of us with clean lungs are STOKED!
Notice that those who clamor for “clean lungs” are free to achieve their goals simply by choosing not to patronize establishments that allow smoking. It is this choice that is unacceptable to smoking-ban advocates.
That one’s desires may be frustrated by the free choices of others, such as having to forgo certain establishments because of smoking, is simply not tolerable to smoking-ban advocates. In their minds, they shouldn’t have to choose between their health and their desires, and thus this no one else should be allowed to make these choices either.
But, in fact, life does require such choices. One may have to forgo that slice of cheesecake for health reasons, or a bar that permits smoking, but this is no reason to ban cheesecake or smoking in bars. The solution regarding any health decision is to make the right choices and respect the ability of others to do the same. Banning the choice is not only juvenile, it is downright destructive.
I found an Electronic Cigarette that allows me to smoke in banned areas and I really like it. The reason is because when you exhale there is no smoke only vapor and they allow you to choose the level of nicotine that you want. Friday on CNN they did a piece on the Electronic Cigarettes and said the same thing plus a number of other positive points. If you want to check it out go to this link
http://myinlife.com/smokeelc
My view on this would have to be great. Lets get them all. lets go after the obese, lets lynch people that engage in road rage once in a while, why not even go so far as arresting people that swear in the company of friends. Sure smoking may kill but check into the risks associated from corn oil. Can see why I am ashamed to be from this commercial of a country!!!