Wisconsin's statewide smoking ban went into effect Monday at Midnight. The ban prohibits smoking in all work places, including bars and restaurants. Violators face up to $250 in fines.
Brad Smith, owner of the Harbor Bar in Hager City hopes this will not discourage non-smokers from coming to his restaurant now that indoor smoking is illegal. He states this could make up for lost drink sales. Smith still objects to what he refers to as government intrusion.
Smith told MinnPost.com, "The free market system should have driven this - not government regulations."
Governor Jim Doyle estimates the ban will save $400 million a year in health care costs. Doyle said, "On July 5th, Wisconsin residents - some who haven't been able to go out for years - will finally be able to breathe freely at restaurants, taverns and workplaces across the state. A Smoke Free Wisconsin will help save lives and it will help prevent our kids from picking up the deadly habit in the first place."
In 2007, Doyle launched a statewide anti-smoking initiative which included making all public workplaces smoke-free. As an incentive to smokers, to kick the habit, Doyle raised cigarette taxes by $1 this year and also introduced a program to offer free quit-smoking medications through the Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line.
Last May, Doyle signed into law the comprehensive smoking ban making Wisconsin the 28th state, in the Union, including Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico smoke-free parts of the country.
The American Lung Association estimates that each year, nearly 8,000 people die from smoking-related illnesses in Wisconsin. The decreased numbers of new smokers statewide is encouraging. Since 2000, Wisconsin has seen a 65 percent decrease in the middle school smoking rate, a 38 percent decrease in high school smokers, and a 17 percent decrease in the adult smoking rate.
For more information about the Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit their website.
Sources: WITI-TV FOX 6 News with Sarah Platt, Joe Kimball of MinnPost.com, American Lung Association and Office of Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle. VIDEO: Sarah Platt, Reporter, FOX 6 Milwaukee
Comments
A good alternative to smoking might be the Electronic cigarette. This device feels just like a cigarette and yet only contains 16 chemicals, contrary to the 4000 chemicals in regular cigarettes.
Nevertheless, it's much much cheaper. I gave it to my father on his birthday and since then he saves around a hundred Dollars each month. He tells me its great that he can decide on his own how much nicotine he inhales (the cartridges come in 0-16 mg nic.).
My mum also loves it, because the "smoke" is mainly composed of water-vapor, so now she doesent need to send my dad outside each time he wants to smoke, haha. You can check them out on www.greensmoke.com/disc10-18621 , this link contains a 10% discount.
There is an upfront cost for the starters kit, but the cartridges are more than 50% cheaper than cigarettes, so in the end you'll only save money. Try it, I cant see how you'll be disappointed. Furthermore, they offer every customer a 30 day money back guarantee, meaning if you dont like i
I'm from Montreal and we had a total smoking ban about 4 years ago, that's why I got an electronic cigarette. It’s awesome, no carcinogens and it’s less expensive than regular cigarettes. I can smoke it inside because it doesn't burn anything and it doesn't smell bad. I've even been given permission to smoke it at my office! Every time someone sees me with it, they want one. I found mine at www.mistycig.com. So good luck my fellow smokers, you can quit and keep smoking despite the ban!
Great article, Dutsy.
Keep up the good work!
Although the above have stated the electronic cigarette works for those they know or even themselves, unfortunately I have heard it does work too, BUT people are now becoming addicted to the electronic cigarette. However, its def. a better alternative to the real thing!! :)
*Dusty
A smoking ban means it is against the law to use or permit a legal product on 'private' property.
Prohibition of a legal product is a blow to the heart of Democracy
Thank Goodness that the smoking ban finally took place. I was limited to many places because of the smoke due to my asthma. Going Bowling sounds so simple and easy, but even that simple of a thing to do that cost 1 dollar to do can be seriously a risk to a lot of people a long with kids. It is so relieving to know that I can now go and basically go and have fun and know I will not end up in the emergency room when I do go.
i was smoked countinously 8year .now my age is 24 .i cant able to do any work withot any help
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