Smoking Ban Dragging? Bill Faces Fight, but Gets 1st Vote Tuesday (WI)

Madison.com ^ | January 5, 2008 | Judith Davidoff

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Although France, a country known as much for its smoky cafes as its patisseries, recently snuffed out smoking in all public places, smoking opponents in Wisconsin are facing an uphill struggle to muscle a similar proposal through the state Legislature with only a couple of months left before adjournment.

The bill, which would ban smoking in all Wisconsin restaurants and bars, is poised to get its first scheduled vote Tuesday in the Senate Committee on Public Health, Senior Issues, Long Term Care and Privacy. But Sen. Roger Breske, D-Eland, a former tavern owner, wants to exempt bars from the bill, and Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker, D-Schofield, has said he would not schedule a full vote on the Senate floor until Breske is able to reach a compromise on that issue with Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison, the bill's author.

Risser said Friday he has had several conversations with Breske, but the two have not reached any compromise. Neither Breske nor Decker returned phone calls for comment.

Introduced in April by Risser, the bill was initially buoyed by the support of the Wisconsin Restaurant League, which had opposed repeated previous efforts to implement a statewide smoking ban, and Gov. Jim Doyle, who announced plans last January to push for a ban and a $1.25 hike in the cigarette tax. But when Sen. Judy Robson, D-Beloit, was ousted in October as Senate majority leader in favor of Decker, the bill's fortunes changed.

Alison Prange of the American Cancer Society and other supporters of a comprehensive statewide smoking ban say they are confident the bill would pass if it made it to the floor of the state Senate or Assembly.

"We feel very good about our chances," she said Friday.

Doyle spokesman Matt Canter said the proposal remains a key issue for the governor, who intends to continue working to get it passed by both houses of the Legislature.

"The governor hopes and expects to have action in the beginning of this year," Canter said. "We believe we have the votes. This was part of our effort to raise the price of smoking and create smoke-free facilities all across the state."

John Miller, spokesman for Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch, declined to say whether the speaker supported the bill or an exemption for taverns.

"He's going to wait to see what they come up with," Miller said in reference to the state Senate.

Prange said that if the bill passes the Senate committee Tuesday, "there will be a pretty strong outcry if there's not an up or down vote on the floor."

"It's going to be interesting," she added, "because we know what the public wants, and it's a matter of whether the Legislature is listening."

Border crossing

Illinois and Minnesota have recently passed smoking bans, and a similar proposal has passed one house in the Michigan legislature. Doyle has said Wisconsin will become the "ashtray of the Midwest" if the state does not follow suit.

Phil Hanson of the Wisconsin Restaurant Association has similar concerns about uniformity. He said his group decided about a year ago to support a full ban because it "wanted to level the paying field for all establishments in the food and beverage industry."

Hanson said he also fears that if the state Legislature doesn't act this session, more and more localities will move to pass their own bans, which could drive customers across nearby borders.

"There are 33 local ordinances already in place, and we know there will be more of those," he said.

Bill supporters point out that a surprising coalition of business, public health and tourism groups have come together to support the bill, including the American Cancer Society, Smoke Free Wisconsin, American Lung Association of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Tourism Federation, Wisconsin Innkeepers Association and Wisconsin Restaurant Association.

The state Ethics Board Web page lists the Wisconsin Tavern League, Wisconsin Wine and Spirit Institute, Wisconsin Amusement and Music Operators, Cigar Association of America Inc. and Bowling Centers Association of Wisconsin as opposed to the bill, though the Tavern League has been the only group to mount a significant fight.

According to Mike Buelow, research director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, a watchdog group, Breske and Decker led Senate Democrats in recent years in campaign contributions from the Tavern League's political action committee and conduit. Unlike a PAC, a conduit is not restricted by the size or number of contributions from individuals, which are bundled into one large check for candidates.

Between Jan. 1, 2003, and July 1, 2007, Breske received $12,782 and Decker received $7,858 from the Tavern League's PAC and conduit, according to Buelow. The state Senate Democratic Committee received $6,030 during the same period.

Risser, on the other hand, received no money from the group. Nor did Robson, who championed the smoking ban as Senate majority leader before her ouster. But Buelow pointed out that the state Senate Democratic Committee did receive a lot of the money under Robson's watch.

Mike McCabe, executive director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, said the Tavern League does not carry the same weight as political heavy-hitters Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce and the Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC), but it is nevertheless "an influential lobby."

"I wouldn't consider them insignificant at all, and I think money is part of what is behind their influence," McCabe said. "They have helped a fair amount of people get into office, and they have legislators who are loyal to them."

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Fasten your seat belts, Ladies...

[Izzy Dunne]

Although France, a country known as much for its smoky cafes as its patisseries, recently snuffed out smoking in all public places, smoking opponents in Wisconsin are facing an uphill struggle to muscle a similar proposal through the state Legislature

What kind of stupid writing is this?

What connection is there between Wisconsin and France?

[HerrBlucher]

What connection is there between Wisconsin and France?

The author believes the U.S. should model itself after France ergo, Wisconsin is not behaving accordingly.

Go Wisoncsin Go!

[Starwolf]

What connection is there between Wisconsin and France?

Chesse?

[Moonman62]

Whether it passes this time or not, it’s just a matter of time before it does.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

*YAWN* Enjoy your Nanny State Bliss for now, because you’re next to be made a scapegoat. :)

[flintsilver7]

Is that what it is? You rabid smokers retreat so quickly to your rhetoric. There certainly are concerns of liberty here, but let’s be honest - your dog is in this fight because you’re completely - physically and mentally - at the mercy of that three-inch-long cylindrical demon.

[Peet]

When the nannys are done with the "public places", they'll be comming after the Elks, VFW, Rod and Gun clubs, and the rest of the private organizations.

For the nanny-lusers on the thread: No, I don't smoke.

Peet

[SheLion]

Is that what it is? You rabid smokers retreat so quickly to your rhetoric. There certainly are concerns of liberty here, but let’s be honest - your dog is in this fight because you’re completely - physically and mentally - at the mercy of that three-inch-long cylindrical demon.

You're full of chit right up to your eyebrows.  I did an experiment last March and quit smoking for two weeks.  Not once did I climb the walls for lack of "nicotine," and not once did I yell for detox!  It was the actual act of smoking that I missed.  I had no withdrawals either.  And I have been smoking for a long time.  I just love to smoke, period!

Is that what it is? You rabid smokers retreat so quickly to your rhetoric. There certainly are concerns of liberty here, but let’s be honest - your dog is in this fight because you’re completely - physically and mentally - at the mercy of that three-inch-long cylindrical demon.

You're full of chit right up to your eyebrows.  I did an experiment last March and quit smoking for two weeks.  Not once did I climb the walls for lack of "nicotine," and not once did I yell for detox!  It was the actual act of smoking that I missed.  I had no withdrawals either.  And I have been smoking for a long time.  I just love to smoke, period!

[SheLion]

[SheLion]

*YAWN* Enjoy your Nanny State Bliss for now, because you’re next to be made a scapegoat. :)

Moonman is one of FR's biggest anti's.  What else can we expect from the likes of him?  Ignorance and MORE ignorance.

heh!

[Old Retired Army Guy]

Everytime this comes up, the same old arguments surface. The proponents of allowing smoking in public places are pushing sand against the tide with a toothpick. It has been proven in State after State or Municipality after Municipality that banning smoking in all public places does not hurt business. Walk in any restaurant that has seperated smoking and non smoking scetions and you will see an almost empty smoking section while the non-smoking section thrives.

[SheLion]

Is that what it is? You rabid smokers retreat so quickly to your rhetoric. There certainly are concerns of liberty here, but let’s be honest - your dog is in this fight because you’re completely - physically and mentally - at the mercy of that three-inch-long cylindrical demon.

Ahhhhh yes.  And boy is it good.  Sure beats the hell out of booze and prescription DRUGS! LOL

[Moonman62]

You and I both know I am one of FR's biggest targets for your affection.

XXXOO

[libertarian27]

When are they going to get around to banning Fireplaces, Backyard Fire Pits and Wood Stoves? That’s always the next step after Smoking Bans.

Actually they should just lump all the smoke together and ban it outright. It will happen sooner than later

Smoke is Smoke
Ban One - Ban All
To to otherwise is Discrimination

[flintsilver7]

Good for you if that’s true. I simply don’t believe it, as I’ve never seen it. I’ve seen far too many people preach their mantras of “I can quit any time I want” and “it’s just an occasional habit.”

Aside from that, you would be the exception. The vast majority of people participating in such a thread are not here because they are primarily concerned with overreaching government; they are here because they fear losing their ability to smoke as they please.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

Walk in any restaurant that has seperated smoking and non smoking scetions and you will see an almost empty smoking section while the non-smoking section thrives.

I see just the opposite, and I don't even smoke in restaurants.

[metesky]

The vast majority of people participating in such a thread are not here because they are primarily concerned with overreaching government; they are here because they fear losing their ability to smoke as they please.

Ah, the omniscient newbie! You know this because...

[flintsilver7]

Perhaps that’s a reflection of where you live. Ever since I was a child, it’s always been the case at a restaurant that if you want to be seated faster, you sit in the smoking section. (Now it’s called “first available,” which invariably means the smoking section.) Everywhere I go, people are willing to wait to avoid the smoke. I’ve been to plenty of local restaurants where there are almost always seats in the bar area while the nonsmoking wait approaches 30 minutes.