An Assembly proposal to enact a statewide smoking ban gets another Capitol hearing.
Lawmakers are attempting to advance the proposal in the Assembly, after a version in the Senate stalled . State Representative Steve Wieckert (R-Appleton), the Assembly sponsor of the bill, believes the legislation is needed to make citizens healthier and reduce health care costs. He also believes it will level the playing field for all businesses by requiring each city to be a smoke free environment. The bill would require businesses to be smoke free by January 1st of 2009.
During a public hearing Wednesday, State Representative Leah Vukmir (R-Wauwatosa) questioned why the state should tell business owners what to do. She says the bill represents an "erosion of personal rights and individual freedoms." Vukmir says businesses will go smoke free, if customers demand it.
The Assembly Public Health Committee is expected to vote on the bill next week.
AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (MP3 1:12)
