Doyle pushes smoking ban

Publication Date: 2007-05-18

• Author:STEVEN WALTERS
• Publication:Milwaukee (WI) Journal-Sentinel

Governor also urges approval of proposal to raise tax on cigarettes

Gov. Jim Doyle went to a bar in Madison on Thursday to prod the Legislature to enact his proposal for a statewide smoking ban in taverns and restaurants.

Madison and other Wisconsin communities have enacted a similar ban. And Doyle said neighboring Minnesota and Illinois will be smoke-free by Jan. 1.

"It is time for us to get this job done as well," he said.

A ban on smoking in public places will be approved eventually, and there is no reason why that cannot happen this year, he said. His bill would also eliminate disparities between cities such as Madison and its suburbs, where smoking is still legal in taverns and restaurants, he said.