Posted on 07/05/2005 9:58:41 PM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist
MILWAUKEE (AP) Smoking would be banned in hotels, bars, restaurants, taxi cabs and workplaces in the state's largest city under a proposal unveiled Tuesday.
The ordinance would ban smoking in public places and would be similar or more stringent than already strict ordinances in New York City and Minneapolis, said Patricia McManus, a spokeswoman for the Smoke-Free Milwaukee Project.
The group has been working with the proposal's main sponsor, Alderman Joe Davis, who cited the risks of secondhand smoke and the rising costs of health care in creating the proposal.
Exceptions would include tobacco stores, outdoor patios and private homes, unless the home is used for a day care operation. It would also prohibit designated smoking areas immediately adjacent to outside public entrances.
Police and city health inspectors would enforce the ordinance. The first violation would bring a warning, while the second would carry a $75 fine and any additional violations during a calendar year would mean $100 fines.
Davis' proposal came less than two weeks after the state Assembly approved a bill that would ban smoking in dining areas of all Wisconsin restaurants, but permit it in their bars as well as taverns and bowling alleys.
The measure, which still has not yet been taken up by the state Senate, would wipe out anti-smoking ordinances in 21 cities across the state
McManus said the proposal goes to a public safety committee, which could take the issue up as early as next week. It has to pass the full Common Council to become law.
Diana Condon, owner of Savoy's bar and restaurant in Milwaukee, said a ban would be inconvenient for customers and could hurt business.
``The patrons that do smoke, they like to drink and smoke. It goes hand in hand,'' she said. ``They're not going to drink, go outside and smoke, then come back in.''
John Koss, a customer at Ma Fischer's restaurant who had four cigarettes along with his meal, said owners of restaurants and bars should have the right to decide what's best for them.
``The next thing you know, they'll (the government) be moving into your house to decide what you can and can't do,'' he said.
It's time to start kicking these do-gooders' behinds!
More idiocy for your amusement.
Over here - quick! LOL
How so very generous of them.../sarcasm
Mighty big of 'em to allow one to smoke in their own home!!!
They could regret that. Suppose thousands of violators just say they are innocent and begin to really tie up the court system. With that small amount of fines, the city courts would be crippled. It sounds like an infraction, so no jury trial probably. I don't know the laws of that state.
ping
BUMP
Don't worry, they'll target private homes next, "for the children"....
These are NOT public places - they are private businesses..........
I am really getting tired of this bogus BS....of course I am also very tired anyway, so need to be very careful of what I am saying :)
Well, at least Davis celebrated the 4th of July first and thanked our veterans and Founders for the freedoms we enjoy < /Sarcasm >
How generous of him.............
Mega dittos to that! This is 2 in one night. What up? The President goes away and the mice will play steal the country???
I know it is late for you, but thought you might be "interested" in this one.
I can sorta "get" Madison doing this....but Milwaukee???
Thanks for the ping - I tried to round up some of the usual suspects - but I suspect many of them are either on vacation (I wish I was) or already asleep (where I am going now).
I'm sure this will liven up in the morning - even if I'm the one who has to rouse it from slmber - I just don't have the brain cells at the moment to really dissect all of the BS that is here.
You have a good night, my FRiend, I will FReep at you soon I am sure!!!!
Night Gabz. Yes, later.
city of milwaukee and madison are almost identical leadership wise...it's just that madison can get away with more because it doesn't have the powerful talk radio hosts like milwaukee does.
THE MARCHING SONG OF THE MINDLESS MINIONS OF PROHIBITION I.,
We never eat cookies because they have yeast,
The least taste of which turns a man to a beast.
Oh can't you imagine the dreadful disgrace
Of a man in the gutter with crumbs on his face.
We must get rid of rum by gum,
Rum by gum,
Rum by gum,
We must get rid of rum.
We never eat fruitcake because it has rum,
The least taste of which turns a man to a bum.
Oh can't you imagine the terrible sight,
Of a man eating fruitcake until he gets tight.
We must get rid of rum by gum,
Rum by gum,
Rum by gum,
We must get rid of rum.
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