MONROE - Kim Keepers says she only smokes when she's at a bar. She doesn't smoke in her house, or in her car.
In a little more than a year, the Monroe resident may not have the bar to smoke in anymore, either.
A legislative compromise announced Wednesday by state lawmakers would prohibit smoking in restaurants, taverns and virtually all workplaces in Wisconsin as of July 5, 2010. After years of debate, legislative leaders said they reached a deal on a statewide smoking ban that could pass both houses next week and be signed into law by Gov. Jim Doyle.
"Everyone knew something was coming," said Sen. Jon Eprenbach, D-Waunakee, a smoking ban proponent. "The delay gives us time for education."
Erpenbach said the agreement announced Wednesday was a few months in the making, as opposing sides in the debate stood firm in their positions.
"It wasn't the easiest thing," Erpenbach said of the negotiations between the Tavern League and groups that supported a smoking ban.
"I think it will take business away from bars," Keepers said. "I only smoke when I drink."
That's the argument the Tavern League has been making. Its executive director, Pete Madland, has said the ban will take business away from bars already struggling in the national economic recession.
Sandy Menehan, Monroe, said any smoking ban should be left up to the business owner.
"There are bars that are non-smoking. If people don't want to be in a bar that has smoking they can go someplace else," she said.
Robert and Georgia Vervonck, Monroe, said the ban would affect how long people stay at a bar.
"I'll have to go out and smoke in the parking lot," Robert laughed.
Angel Coldiron, who works at the American Legion, said patrons have talked about the smoking ban and most oppose it.
"People can smoke in the bar or the pool room but not in the restaurant," she said.
Bill supporters agreed to delay implementation until July 5, 2010 so that bars would have time to prepare for the change. They also agreed to exempt the handful of existing cigar bars and all tobacco retail shops. In addition, the ban would not apply to Wisconsin casinos because the Indian tribes who run them are sovereign nations.
Virtually all other workplaces, including bowling alleys, factories and restaurants, would be required to go smoke-free. Hotels also would not be allowed to have any rooms with smoking allowed. Restaurant and bar owners could still set up smoking areas outside their businesses.
The plan would replace the patchwork of local ordinances restricting smoking that have been passed in dozens of communities across the state. Cities such as Madison, Appleton and Eau Claire have already banned smoking in all workplaces and other communities have more limited restrictions.
Under the agreement, local governments could not pass any regulations that go beyond the statewide ban except on their own property.
Wisconsin would be the 26th state to ban smoking in all bars and restaurants, advocates say. Three of its neighboring states - Iowa, Illinois and Minnesota - have already approved bans.
Smokers who violate the ban would be fined between $100 and $250. Bar owners would not be fined as long as they take steps to prevent smoking in their establishments such as posting signs and telling customers to stop. Owners caught not enforcing the ban would be warned the first time and fined up to $100 for a second offense.
The bill will go to the Senate and the Assembly May 13.
Tavern League President Rob Swearingen credited Erpenbach with negotiating a deal that was "palatable" to his group and those pushing for a stricter ban. He said the delayed implementation was critical so that the economy could turn around before some bar owners would be faced with a potential loss of income.
"This will be an adjustment to my members, and when I talk about my members I talk about the 5,000 mom and pop taverns across the state of Wisconsin," he said at a news conference. "We are hoping it will not be too much of a hardship on them."
Doyle had included a smoking ban in his state budget proposal but lawmakers thought it should be debated on its own and held public hearings on separate bills this week.
Erpenbach said Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker, who had been sympathetic to concerns raised by the Tavern League in the past, pushed for a compromise so the Senate could pass it next week. In turn, Erpenbach hammered out the deal with lawmakers and groups ranging from the Tavern League to the American Cancer Society.
Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan, D-Janesville, said he expected the bill to pass his chamber with bipartisan support. Doyle released a statement saying he was pleased with the deal but stopped short of promising to sign it.
"I wish the ban would be implemented sooner but today we are one step closer to a statewide smoking ban that is fair and equitable," the governor said.
Senate President Fred Risser, D-Madison, said he too wished it would be implemented sooner but accepted the delay in the name of compromise.
"In my opinion, the bill still meets its main objectives: a statewide smoking ban for all Wisconsin workplaces, including all bars and restaurants, and no special phase-ins for any group," Risser said. "As soon as this bill takes effect, it will start saving lives of our citizens and saving money for our taxpayers."
-- The Associated Press contributed to the story.
In a little more than a year, the Monroe resident may not have the bar to smoke in anymore, either.
A legislative compromise announced Wednesday by state lawmakers would prohibit smoking in restaurants, taverns and virtually all workplaces in Wisconsin as of July 5, 2010. After years of debate, legislative leaders said they reached a deal on a statewide smoking ban that could pass both houses next week and be signed into law by Gov. Jim Doyle.
"Everyone knew something was coming," said Sen. Jon Eprenbach, D-Waunakee, a smoking ban proponent. "The delay gives us time for education."
Erpenbach said the agreement announced Wednesday was a few months in the making, as opposing sides in the debate stood firm in their positions.
"It wasn't the easiest thing," Erpenbach said of the negotiations between the Tavern League and groups that supported a smoking ban.
"I think it will take business away from bars," Keepers said. "I only smoke when I drink."
That's the argument the Tavern League has been making. Its executive director, Pete Madland, has said the ban will take business away from bars already struggling in the national economic recession.
Sandy Menehan, Monroe, said any smoking ban should be left up to the business owner.
"There are bars that are non-smoking. If people don't want to be in a bar that has smoking they can go someplace else," she said.
Robert and Georgia Vervonck, Monroe, said the ban would affect how long people stay at a bar.
"I'll have to go out and smoke in the parking lot," Robert laughed.
Angel Coldiron, who works at the American Legion, said patrons have talked about the smoking ban and most oppose it.
"People can smoke in the bar or the pool room but not in the restaurant," she said.
Bill supporters agreed to delay implementation until July 5, 2010 so that bars would have time to prepare for the change. They also agreed to exempt the handful of existing cigar bars and all tobacco retail shops. In addition, the ban would not apply to Wisconsin casinos because the Indian tribes who run them are sovereign nations.
Virtually all other workplaces, including bowling alleys, factories and restaurants, would be required to go smoke-free. Hotels also would not be allowed to have any rooms with smoking allowed. Restaurant and bar owners could still set up smoking areas outside their businesses.
The plan would replace the patchwork of local ordinances restricting smoking that have been passed in dozens of communities across the state. Cities such as Madison, Appleton and Eau Claire have already banned smoking in all workplaces and other communities have more limited restrictions.
Under the agreement, local governments could not pass any regulations that go beyond the statewide ban except on their own property.
Wisconsin would be the 26th state to ban smoking in all bars and restaurants, advocates say. Three of its neighboring states - Iowa, Illinois and Minnesota - have already approved bans.
Smokers who violate the ban would be fined between $100 and $250. Bar owners would not be fined as long as they take steps to prevent smoking in their establishments such as posting signs and telling customers to stop. Owners caught not enforcing the ban would be warned the first time and fined up to $100 for a second offense.
The bill will go to the Senate and the Assembly May 13.
Tavern League President Rob Swearingen credited Erpenbach with negotiating a deal that was "palatable" to his group and those pushing for a stricter ban. He said the delayed implementation was critical so that the economy could turn around before some bar owners would be faced with a potential loss of income.
"This will be an adjustment to my members, and when I talk about my members I talk about the 5,000 mom and pop taverns across the state of Wisconsin," he said at a news conference. "We are hoping it will not be too much of a hardship on them."
Doyle had included a smoking ban in his state budget proposal but lawmakers thought it should be debated on its own and held public hearings on separate bills this week.
Erpenbach said Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker, who had been sympathetic to concerns raised by the Tavern League in the past, pushed for a compromise so the Senate could pass it next week. In turn, Erpenbach hammered out the deal with lawmakers and groups ranging from the Tavern League to the American Cancer Society.
Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan, D-Janesville, said he expected the bill to pass his chamber with bipartisan support. Doyle released a statement saying he was pleased with the deal but stopped short of promising to sign it.
"I wish the ban would be implemented sooner but today we are one step closer to a statewide smoking ban that is fair and equitable," the governor said.
Senate President Fred Risser, D-Madison, said he too wished it would be implemented sooner but accepted the delay in the name of compromise.
"In my opinion, the bill still meets its main objectives: a statewide smoking ban for all Wisconsin workplaces, including all bars and restaurants, and no special phase-ins for any group," Risser said. "As soon as this bill takes effect, it will start saving lives of our citizens and saving money for our taxpayers."
-- The Associated Press contributed to the story.