MADISON, Wis. -- After a losing battle against the smoking ban, a growing trend is giving hope to some Madison taverns.

TALKBACK: What Do You Think?

The Planning Commission recently approved smoking decks at four more bars.

Nearly three dozen bars have approval for the decks, and one of the recently approved taverns is Wiggie's.

The owner said he has lost $150,000 since the smoking ban, and tavern employees are hoping a smoking deck can bring back some hope.

Right now, at the smoking deck at Wiggie's, only an umbrella protects smokers against the elements. Soon the bar will add concrete and four poles, providing cover for up to 15 smokers.

The initial cost is $3,000, and the owner eventually wants to add folding walls and heaters for winter.

"It's a start. It's a start hopefully," said Kristi Gilmore, a manager a Wiggie's.

Joe Nitka, who has been coming to Wiggie's regularly for 12 years, still comes to the empty bar. He's happy about the smoking deck but doesn't think the addition will bring back all that has been lost.

"That will be much nicer you get a little protection from the snow and rain," Nitka said. "It's beneficial for the people that are still coming, but it's not going to bring people back."

Gilmore has been working at Wiggie's for five years. In the last year, her hours have been drastically cut, and so have the hours of a co-worker who has been there for 11 years.

"We've been trying and I just hope this will help," Gilmore said. "It's been very hard and stressful on myself, my family (and) my kids. There's still a demand for smoking. People, when they come to the tavern, they want to have a beer and cigarette.

But in her mind, to make the seats full again, it will take something bigger than a 10- by-17 foot outdoor deck.

"The step in the right direction to me is to recall the ban that, or make it statewide -- at least it would be fair," she said.

Three other bars received approval by the Planning Commission. Irish Waters Pub, Erin's and the Ideal Bar are also putting in smoking decks.