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Beloit Eyes Anti-Smoking Ordinance
Proposal Would Not Affect Bars, Taverns
POSTED: 1:26 pm CDT September 23,
2006
UPDATED: 1:48 pm CDT September 23,
2006
BELOIT, Wis. -- Beloit city leaders are proposing a regulatory smoking ordinance, which would be less strict than Madison's citywide smoking ban.
TALKBACK: What Do You Think?City leaders are hoping to keep the rules flexible while still addressing the health concerns of the public.The proposed ordinance would prohibit smoking in most public places, including restaurants, stores, government buildings and 25 feet outside the entrance of these buildings.The proposal would not affect bars and taverns, WISC-TV reported."It provides a good deal of flexibility, but we think still it essentially addresses the public health issues associated with second-hand smoke," said Larry Arft, Beloit city manager.According to the proposal, if an establishment derives 50 percent of its sales from liquor, the business is exempt from the ordinance.But some said bars inside restaurants could be difficult to define under the ordinance."I think if the smoking areas are well cut off from the non-smoking areas, so the people who don't want to be exposed to the cigarette smoke are not exposed to it, then I think it's OK. I think it should be up to the individual owner or manager of that business," said Tammi Valiant, a bartender.City leaders said they hope to hear these concerns at its upcoming meeting so that they can fine tune the proposal."We really want to hear what people have to say about this. And we want to take note about those comments. And we're going to (go) back and take those comments, do a little research and we're going to try to structure this ordinance so that it's fair and reasonable for the community," Arft said.Residents in Beloit can voice their concerns at a Town Hall meeting on Sept. 27 at 6 p.m. at the City Hall forum.The city will consider the community's thoughts on the matter, go back and re-draft the ordinance and eventually present a more refined proposal to the City Council, WISC-TV reported.Nationwide, 2,200 municipalities have local ordinances restricting where smoking is allowed.Seventeen states have statewide laws requiring smoke-free workplaces and/or restaurants and bars, according to a California-based group that lobbies for smoke-free rights.
TALKBACK: What Do You Think?City leaders are hoping to keep the rules flexible while still addressing the health concerns of the public.The proposed ordinance would prohibit smoking in most public places, including restaurants, stores, government buildings and 25 feet outside the entrance of these buildings.The proposal would not affect bars and taverns, WISC-TV reported."It provides a good deal of flexibility, but we think still it essentially addresses the public health issues associated with second-hand smoke," said Larry Arft, Beloit city manager.According to the proposal, if an establishment derives 50 percent of its sales from liquor, the business is exempt from the ordinance.But some said bars inside restaurants could be difficult to define under the ordinance."I think if the smoking areas are well cut off from the non-smoking areas, so the people who don't want to be exposed to the cigarette smoke are not exposed to it, then I think it's OK. I think it should be up to the individual owner or manager of that business," said Tammi Valiant, a bartender.City leaders said they hope to hear these concerns at its upcoming meeting so that they can fine tune the proposal."We really want to hear what people have to say about this. And we want to take note about those comments. And we're going to (go) back and take those comments, do a little research and we're going to try to structure this ordinance so that it's fair and reasonable for the community," Arft said.Residents in Beloit can voice their concerns at a Town Hall meeting on Sept. 27 at 6 p.m. at the City Hall forum.The city will consider the community's thoughts on the matter, go back and re-draft the ordinance and eventually present a more refined proposal to the City Council, WISC-TV reported.Nationwide, 2,200 municipalities have local ordinances restricting where smoking is allowed.Seventeen states have statewide laws requiring smoke-free workplaces and/or restaurants and bars, according to a California-based group that lobbies for smoke-free rights.Copyright 2006 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
