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News Summary
LTE: Let senators know you support clean air bill
Publication Date: 2008-01-07
- Author:Randy Bradley
- Publication:The Capital Times, WI
Dear Editor: Finally, Wisconsin is taking the first step to join 22 other states that have clean air laws that include bars. The Senate Public Health Committee will vote Tuesday on the Breathe Free Wisconsin bill. We had to wait for Illinois, Minnesota and 20 other states to dip their toes into the water first and let us know that it is not a "polar plunge." Currently about half of the U.S. population is covered by such a law.
What is noteworthy is who is in favor of this bill: Wisconsin Restaurant Association, Wisconsin Tourism Federation, Wisconsin Innkeepers Association, Wisconsin Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, Smoke-Free Wisconsin and Wisconsin Medical Society.
In the last year numerous polls throughout Wisconsin show that 64 to 68 percent of residents support a comprehensive clean indoor air law. Times and attitudes have certainly changed.
Who is against it? The Wisconsin Tavern League and about 29 percent of Wisconsin residents, according to the same polls.