Statewide smoking ban snuffed out in Senate

Publication Date: 2006-05-04

• Author:Todd Richmond, AP
• Publication:Beaver Dam Daily Citizen

The state Senate narrowly killed a bill Wednesday that would have banned smoking in large restaurants' dining rooms throughout Wisconsin but allowed it in some taverns...

The Republican-authored bill would have banned smoking in dining areas of large restaurants, but allow it in restaurants' bar areas. Restaurants with a capacity of 50 customers or less could still allow smoking. Smoking would have been allowed in taverns and bowling alleys...

Critics accused lawmakers of stripping local officials of their control. Fitzgerald amended the measure Wednesday allowing current local smoking ordinances to stand, but the Senate still defeated the measure 17-14.