Spring Break
County considering smoking ban
Board hopes ban will level playing field
Jacob McCormick
Issue date: 4/3/08 Section: News
With the passage of the citywide smoking ban in Eau Claire, the county has decided to take steps toward a similar resolution.
Chair of the Eau Claire County Board Bruce Willett said the Board has passed the city bill to a legal team to analyze the possibilities of extending the ban to the county.
"We started discussing it before the bill was passed by the city, but I think we wouldn't have pursued it any further if the city hadn't approved (the ordinance)," Willett said.
If passed, however, the county's jurisdiction would only extend to unincorporated towns, such as the town of Washington, which does not have its own government body. Villages and cities that do, such as Fall Creek, Altoona and Augusta, would not be affected by the ban because the county can't overrule city ordinances.
Willett believes there's a good possibility the ban would pass and is hoping it would contribute to leveling the playing field for bars around the area. While that is one reason for the proposal, Willett added that the Board's number one concern is public health.
"The bottom line is the health aspect," he said. "That's one of the reasons the city did it and we're doing it."
Willett said the Board won't be able to introduce the bill until at least the middle of May.
Senior Sean Hogan said he doesn't mind the citywide smoking ban, but leaving the cities and counties to decide isn't fair to businesses.
"It's nice to not smell like smoke coming home from the bars," Hogan said. "But it should be up to the owner of a bar whether they want to allow smoking or not."
And while smoking outside might not be a problem for people during the summer, Hogan said weather throughout the rest of the year isn't very inviting.
"Everyone knows how bad Wisconsin winters are," he said. "It's inconvenient for smokers and bar owners, but I don't see it as that huge of an issue."
Although he is a proponent of a statewide smoking ban, Rep. Jeff Smith (D-Eau Claire) said enacting a county ban is probably not very likely.
Chair of the Eau Claire County Board Bruce Willett said the Board has passed the city bill to a legal team to analyze the possibilities of extending the ban to the county.
"We started discussing it before the bill was passed by the city, but I think we wouldn't have pursued it any further if the city hadn't approved (the ordinance)," Willett said.
If passed, however, the county's jurisdiction would only extend to unincorporated towns, such as the town of Washington, which does not have its own government body. Villages and cities that do, such as Fall Creek, Altoona and Augusta, would not be affected by the ban because the county can't overrule city ordinances.
Willett believes there's a good possibility the ban would pass and is hoping it would contribute to leveling the playing field for bars around the area. While that is one reason for the proposal, Willett added that the Board's number one concern is public health.
"The bottom line is the health aspect," he said. "That's one of the reasons the city did it and we're doing it."
Willett said the Board won't be able to introduce the bill until at least the middle of May.
Senior Sean Hogan said he doesn't mind the citywide smoking ban, but leaving the cities and counties to decide isn't fair to businesses.
"It's nice to not smell like smoke coming home from the bars," Hogan said. "But it should be up to the owner of a bar whether they want to allow smoking or not."
And while smoking outside might not be a problem for people during the summer, Hogan said weather throughout the rest of the year isn't very inviting.
"Everyone knows how bad Wisconsin winters are," he said. "It's inconvenient for smokers and bar owners, but I don't see it as that huge of an issue."
Although he is a proponent of a statewide smoking ban, Rep. Jeff Smith (D-Eau Claire) said enacting a county ban is probably not very likely.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 5
Ryan Evans
posted 4/03/08 @ 7:11 AM CST
This is unacceptable. Do these people understand what will happen to the surrounding areas? Eau Claire city proper might be able to absorb the economic blow of a smoking ban, but the county villages and towns will not be so fortunate. (Continued…)
bearc1aw
posted 4/03/08 @ 9:09 AM CST
They know they are ignoring the rights of the people, its just popular to not care.
Steve M
posted 4/03/08 @ 2:15 PM CST
The previous posters are right -- the county government is clearly ignoring our basic human rights, spelled out so plainly by the Founders:
"Congress shall make no law interfering with the right of citizens to enjoy the smooth, refreshing flavor of Winston-brand cigarettes. (Continued…)
Bob
posted 4/04/08 @ 1:11 PM CST
Why do they always have to include bars? Most non smokers seldom go them anyway.
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