Wisconsin now smoke-free

(This post is not intended to foster any kind of debate; it is informational only.)
 
Yesterday (July 5) Wisconsin's ban on indoor smoking in bars and restaurants went into effect.  I'm pretty sure everybody who lives here is aware of it but if anyone from MN, IA, or IL has been putting off a dining trip because the destination wasn't smoke-free...well, now's your chance to come here and spend money!
 
Personally, I'm eyeing a trip up to Green Bay for a visit to Al's.
http://packerland.blogspot.com/2007/10/als-hamburgers-since-1934.html
http://www.squidoo.com/als-hamburger-shop-in-green-bay-wisconsin
 
Brad

Yes, it went into effect. . . However, if you visit an Indian-run casino or property, the ban doesn't apply.  Tribal law actually trumps US law so any Indian-run property (must be tribal owned) does not have to comply to the new rules.  My guess would be that the casinos will be doing a bang-up business shortly.

Thanks for pointing that out; I'd forgotten about it.  I did read where one of the tribes is trying a no-smoking policy in a couple of its casinos.

Brad

Just canceled a trip to Mineral Point...going to the Missouri ozarks instead.

I am a lifetime non smoker. But I still have a problem with the government telling them they cannot smoke in there own place. Especially a bar. ...Russ

Nothing will change. Minnesota has had a smoke free law for a few years now. Initially there will be some hand wringing, anecdotal examples of problems, and opinions like the Indian casinos gaining business and taking business elsewhere. After a while it will all shake out and go on as before, except smoke free. Wisconsin can't even use the alarm excuse they will lose business to Minnesota as Minnesotans tried to claim with Wisconsin.

Russ, It isn't the government, it is the people that have spoken. Elected representatives by the people made this decision. A restaurant or bar is a public place. Since smokers are less than a quarter of the people more people were harmed. In a democracy, majority rules.

The last time I smoked was at 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 2, 1993. But making it illegal to smoke in a bar or restaurant is enough to keep me from wanting to be there.
 
I'm sure some will cheer that.

  I was cooking in a greasy little neighborhood bar when our ban started, and I'll tell ya, I never saw Barflies get so TAN! 

Maybe Gahanna Ohio will become a destination point for Wisconsin smokers.

MilwFoodlovers


Maybe Gahanna Ohio will become a destination point for Wisconsin smokers.

All of Ohio is dictatorially smoke free.

It took a trip to the local Indian casino last month to remind me of how accustomed I've become to the lack of cigarette smoke in the air.

Michael Hoffman

MilwFoodlovers


Maybe Gahanna Ohio will become a destination point for Wisconsin smokers.

All of Ohio is dictatorially smoke free.
 
..But making it illegal to smoke in a bar or restaurant is enough to keep me from wanting to be there....

Do you not go out any longer?

Michael Hoffman

MilwFoodlovers


Maybe Gahanna Ohio will become a destination point for Wisconsin smokers.

All of Ohio is dictatorially smoke free.

Michael, is Ohio a dictatorship?

I smoked my last cigarette at 9:00 PM on September 20, 1971. At the dentist that morning, I was told I had a pre-cancerous condition in my mouth from smoking. And, If I continued to smoke......

Best thing I ever did for myself and my family.


Thank goodness Dallas went smoke free a few years ago. That's the best thing Dallas could do for me and, my family.

Went to Basils II in Fontenoy today to treat my Colorado kids to the best burgers in the area and we really didn't notice the difference until we were walking out...  Didn't seem to be anyone grumbling about it, and the burgers were as good as can be.... 

MilwFoodlovers

Michael Hoffman

MilwFoodlovers


Maybe Gahanna Ohio will become a destination point for Wisconsin smokers.

All of Ohio is dictatorially smoke free.
 
..But making it illegal to smoke in a bar or restaurant is enough to keep me from wanting to be there....

Do you not go out any longer?

I do not.

Twinwillow

Michael Hoffman

MilwFoodlovers


Maybe Gahanna Ohio will become a destination point for Wisconsin smokers.

All of Ohio is dictatorially smoke free.

Michael, is Ohio a dictatorship?

For the time being.

Hopefully WI will be getting the red light cameras next.

I'm very happy to see that Wisconsin has joined Illinois among the ranks of smoke-free states, and I sure hope Indiana will do likewise in the not too distant future.

They have had this in Florida for several years buts it a bit confusing. Something about bars only can allow smoking.

ces1948


They have had this in Florida for several years buts it a bit confusing. Something about bars only can allow smoking.

I think it's something like if your food sales is "x" percent there is no smoking allowed.  I go to lunch often at "Gator City", it has two sections, although not divided per say. The front is all tables and booths, no smoking but walk five foot further back and there  is a bar area with tables as well, you can smoke while eating/drinking the same menu items as those in the "front" section. I work at UF, they just passed a "smoke free" campus "law" although it's not law.  No citations will be given.  They're relying on peer pressure.  I'm 49 and a smoker........yes, I'm still smoking on campus although not a freely as before and not as often.  I respect this "law" somewhat. It makes me kind of laugh thinking that some college "kid" might say something to me. I would be embarrassed....

Public owned areas I agree should be smoke free. If a guy wants to have a smoker friendly bar in his building he should be able to. Adults do not have to go to it if its a problem. The restaurant thing has merit as children do not have a choice. But remember you are all gonna die some time. Wether its a high fat low fiber diet or smoking sooner or later your time will come. With each day that passes more of our freedom is taken away. When and where will it stop? At over $8 dollars a pack in New York you should be able to smoke anywhere you want.

Off Topic:

My tax dollars paid for a cop to sit in the middle of the freeway every couple of miles between Cleveland Ohio and Columbus every couple miles on Friday afternoon 7/2 and again on Monday 7/5. I counted 34 cops in a 120 mile stretch of I-71 on 7/5....Russ

In Tennessee, you can designate your restaurant as 21  years old.  Then smoking is allowed, but no minors.

Russ Jackson


Public owned areas I agree should be smoke free.
 

So, you believe that, say, a street corner should be smoke free?  Highways?  The ocean?

susanll


In Tennessee, you can designate your restaurant as 21  years old.  Then smoking is allowed, but no minors.

I lived in Tennessee when this became law. A somewhat surprising number of places declared themselves 21 and over. A few were just cafe type meat and three places. Never saw any followup about whether these places survived.

Russ Jackson
I am a lifetime non smoker. But I still have a problem with the government telling them they cannot smoke in there own place. Especially a bar. ...Russ

How about if someone smokes crack cocaine or marijuana?

ALLGOOD
Yes, it went into effect. . . However, if you visit an Indian-run casino or property, the ban doesn't apply.  Tribal law actually trumps US law so any Indian-run property (must be tribal owned) does not have to comply to the new rules.  My guess would be that the casinos will be doing a bang-up business shortly.

The reason for that is simplicity in itself. Casinos contribute to political campaigns!

Next will be real BBQ.

another  state down.

I mourn.

freedoms torn down by the day


hold on to your guns, they're next.

then rely on the gov't to save you

 

sk bob


another  state down.

I mourn.

freedoms torn down by the day


hold on to your guns, they're next.

then rely on the gov't to save you

I hate the jackboot pressing on my neck.
I want the freedom to drive as fast as I want, maybe while blindfolded.