Today, smokers in Madison workplaces will find themselves out in the cold. An ordinance passed by the City Council in November 2001 forbids workers of local businesses to smoke in the office building.

The ordinance prevents employees in a workplace of five or more people from smoking inside closed doors. The ordinance will affect workplaces with fewer than five employees as of Dec. 31, 2002.

Ryan Mulcahy, assistant to Mayor Sue Bauman, said he agrees with the ordinance because it is beneficial to employee health.

“[The] smoke-free work ordinance was adopted given public-health concern,” he said. “Employees’ health will no longer be threatened at the work place; it will be improved.”

Doug Zoegeli, a member of the Tobacco-Free Dane County Coalition, said he was pleased with the passage of the ordinance.

“[The ordinance] will not only help the health and comfort of non-smokers, but also smokers,” he said.

The coalition said being in a work place that is smoke-free might increase the chances for smokers to quit.

Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said he supported the passage of the ordinance.

“This ordinance bans smoking in all workplaces with certain exemptions such as bars and other exemptions such as KnuckleHeads and Freedom,” he said.

Although the ordinance is just taking effect, it isn’t that much of a change from current policy because most workplaces are smoke-free, Verveer said.

“Most work places have become smoke-free already. The ordinance will only be enforced on a complaint basis; Madison will not go out to look for offenders,” he said.

While many establishments have become smoke-free already, some local businesses will have to buckle down when the ordinance goes into effect.

Tracy Ehlert, manager of Terry McCaughy’s Car Care Center, 332 W. Johnson St., said she was angered she was not made aware of the smoking ordinance until recently.

“I had no information of this going into effect. I wish they would have informed [business owners],” she said.

Workers at the Car Care Center will now be expected to go outside to smoke, but Ehlert said she is still unsure what constitutes smoking in a place of business.

“Does it require one to smoke 25 feet away from the building, or can they smoke closer to the building?” Ehlert said.

Mulcahy said the city is not formally announcing the new ordinance, but instead will rely on local media outlets.
“Common Council is relying largely on media to remind business owners of the implementing date,” he said.