Study: Taverns not only workplace that allows smoking

Publication Date: 2009-03-10

• Author:TERRY RINDFLEISCH
• Publication:La Crosse (WI) Tribune

While the debate on a proposed smoke-free workplace bill in Wisconsin has focused almost entirely on taverns, a study indicates they account for only one-fifth of the workplaces where smoking is allowed.

The study, released Monday by the University of Wisconsin's Paul P. Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center, estimates more than 80 percent of the employees exposed to secondhand smoke work in manufacturing, retail and wholesale businesses and transportation.

"While tavern and restaurant employees would benefit from a smoke-free workplace law, most of the changes would benefit those working in other industries," said Dr. Patrick Remington, the center’s associate director.

More than 660,000 Wisconsin workers--one in five--are in sites that still allow smoking, the report stated.