Scores Of Smoking Ban Opponents, Supporters Spar

MADISON, Wis. -- The fight over a proposed statewide smoking ban raged in front of state lawmakers in Madison on Thursday.

Supporters declared the time has come for the ban, but business owners told legislators to back off.

Democratic Sen. Fred Risser of Madison and Republican Rep. Steven Wieckert of Appleton are pushing a bill that would prohibit smoking in workplaces, restaurants, taverns, college dorms and buses.

Scores of people jammed a public hearing before the state Senate's health committee, filling every seat in the room and standing shoulder-to-shoulder in the aisles and hallways outside.

Supporters argued the measure would protect workers and customers from secondhand smoke and save money on treating tobacco-related diseases.

"Kids come to my restaurant and they sit next to people who smoke, and I think of that every time they light up a cigarette, 'Is that going to hurt that child?'" said Dale Leffel, a Marshfield restaurant owner who supports a ban.

"We count on you to be strong and do the right thing and demonstrate your political will as you promote clean, healthy air in all workplaces," said Patricia Finder-Stone, a registered nurse from De Pere who supports a ban.

Opponents called the ban draconian and said government shouldn't dictate to businesses.

"People who don't smoke, don't come into the store. You won't be offended if you don't come in. It's the simplicity of letting the individual citizens of Wisconsin make a choice," said John Cummens, of Jack's Tobacco in Brookfield.

"In the land of the free we should be able to make the decisions to run our business freely as long as we abide by the law. But you keep piling more laws on us," said Ed Thompson, a Tomah restaurant owner who opposes a smoking ban.

The state Tavern League opposes the ban, but one restaurant owner said it would level the playing field for all businesses to abide by the same rules.

Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle called for a statewide ban in January.

The health committee heard the testimony but didn't schedule a vote on the ban Thursday.