Report: Smoke-free laws don't harm bar business
Legislators work on Breathe Free Air Bill to make public workplaces in Wisconsin smoke-free
Emily Hartwig
Issue date: 3/3/08 Section: News
"It just seems to make sense," said Parrott of the bill, citing how 23 states have already passed smoke-free laws, including Illinois and Minnesota. Iowa is currently passing a similar bill through its legislature. "It's happening all around us."
A bill with the same wording has stalled in the Senate, Parrott said, because some are considering adding a condition that would delay the law's effects for taverns, but restaurants would have to comply immediately. Such a delay, Parrott added, would leave some business owners at an enormous disadvantage.
Mike Miller is the owner of Jersey's Sports Bar and Grill, 2839 Mall Dr., a smoke-free establishment open since last September. He said he decided to open a smoke-free establishment after realizing the law would eventually come anyway.
Miller called smoking bars "nasty" and said he gets many compliments from repeat customers about the smokeless setting at Jersey's.
"I think it helps me more than anything else," Miller said of his smoke-free atmosphere, adding he doesn't think he'd still be open if he allowed smoking.
Clark said when he's at other bars he sees a very small percentage of people actually smoking. He added he doesn't think a smoking ban would affect bar business in Eau Claire.
Speight said he hopes both state legislative houses pass the bill.
"It's the right thing to do for public health."
A bill with the same wording has stalled in the Senate, Parrott said, because some are considering adding a condition that would delay the law's effects for taverns, but restaurants would have to comply immediately. Such a delay, Parrott added, would leave some business owners at an enormous disadvantage.
Mike Miller is the owner of Jersey's Sports Bar and Grill, 2839 Mall Dr., a smoke-free establishment open since last September. He said he decided to open a smoke-free establishment after realizing the law would eventually come anyway.
Miller called smoking bars "nasty" and said he gets many compliments from repeat customers about the smokeless setting at Jersey's.
"I think it helps me more than anything else," Miller said of his smoke-free atmosphere, adding he doesn't think he'd still be open if he allowed smoking.
Clark said when he's at other bars he sees a very small percentage of people actually smoking. He added he doesn't think a smoking ban would affect bar business in Eau Claire.
Speight said he hopes both state legislative houses pass the bill.
"It's the right thing to do for public health."
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