Fitchburg Smoking Ban To Begin April 1
4 Establishments Granted Exemption Until 2011
Updated: 9:19 am CDT March 28, 2008
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Surgeon General's Report Smoke Free Wisconsin American Cancer Society Ban The Ban Wisconsin Need Help Quitting? Call Wisconsin's Quit Line: 1-800-QUIT-NOWFITCHBURG, Wis. -- Fitchburg's smoking ban will take effect on April 1, making it the fourth Wisconsin city with a municipal smoking ban.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportThe ordinance bans smoking from all public places -- but four establishments are exempt from the ban until 2011.The Fitchburg ordinance is similar to a statewide proposal that is now stalled until next year. Fitchburg businesses affected by the ban said they hope the statewide smoking ban comes soon to help level the playing field."I have very mixed emotions because we are predominately a bar business, and there's a lot of people that are going to come and drink and smoke, and that might affect the business in that aspect," said Mary Bursak, owner of the Dry Bean.And while the Dry Bean's size kept it from gaining an exemption from the smoking ban, the nearby Monkeyshines, one of four places granted exemptions, won't be smoke-free until 2011."I'm excited about the amount of business that it may draw in. I mean we were hoping for more business when Madison (passed its ban). But it really all comes down to, 'Should Fitchburg city hall be doing this to businesses in Fitchburg?'" said Jason Cushman, Monkeyshines manager."That's fine. It should be a statewide thing. But where the state won't do it, municipalities will have to sort of come to the table," said Darren Stucker, of the Fitchburg City Council.But Cushman said Monkeyshines isn't happy with any kind of smoking ban."You're sitting here looking at all the things wrong with government right now. All the things that are happening around the nation, and it's happening here," Cushman said.But the owner of the Dry Bean said they hope patrons will still come, even without an ashtray in sight."It's just part of life, and I do honestly feel that it's going to be the entire state of Wisconsin soon, so you can only do so much with that," Bursak said.The owners at Monkeyshines said that while they disagree with the ban completely the exemption until 2011 is enough to comply with the smoke-free regulations.Currently, 23 states have banned smoking in bars and restaurants.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportThe ordinance bans smoking from all public places -- but four establishments are exempt from the ban until 2011.The Fitchburg ordinance is similar to a statewide proposal that is now stalled until next year. Fitchburg businesses affected by the ban said they hope the statewide smoking ban comes soon to help level the playing field."I have very mixed emotions because we are predominately a bar business, and there's a lot of people that are going to come and drink and smoke, and that might affect the business in that aspect," said Mary Bursak, owner of the Dry Bean.And while the Dry Bean's size kept it from gaining an exemption from the smoking ban, the nearby Monkeyshines, one of four places granted exemptions, won't be smoke-free until 2011."I'm excited about the amount of business that it may draw in. I mean we were hoping for more business when Madison (passed its ban). But it really all comes down to, 'Should Fitchburg city hall be doing this to businesses in Fitchburg?'" said Jason Cushman, Monkeyshines manager."That's fine. It should be a statewide thing. But where the state won't do it, municipalities will have to sort of come to the table," said Darren Stucker, of the Fitchburg City Council.But Cushman said Monkeyshines isn't happy with any kind of smoking ban."You're sitting here looking at all the things wrong with government right now. All the things that are happening around the nation, and it's happening here," Cushman said.But the owner of the Dry Bean said they hope patrons will still come, even without an ashtray in sight."It's just part of life, and I do honestly feel that it's going to be the entire state of Wisconsin soon, so you can only do so much with that," Bursak said.The owners at Monkeyshines said that while they disagree with the ban completely the exemption until 2011 is enough to comply with the smoke-free regulations.Currently, 23 states have banned smoking in bars and restaurants.
Previous Stories:
- February 27, 2008: Fitchburg Again Debates Smoking Ban
- March 28, 2007: Fitchburg City Council OKs Citywide Smoking Ban
- September 8, 2006: Supporters Celebrate Madison Smoking Ban’s Anniversary
- July 26, 2006: Fitchburg Pushes For A Statewide Smoking Ban
- July 12, 2006: Fitchburg City Council Rejects Smoking Ban
- July 11, 2006: Fitchburg City Council Votes On Smoking Ban
- July 10, 2006: Smoking Ban Proposed In Fitchburg
- June 14, 2006: Smoking Ban Ordinance Proposed In Fitchburg
- July 21, 2005: Fitchburg Continues Down Smoking Ban Path
- July 11, 2005: Fitchburg May Snuff Out Smoking
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