Residents in cities where smoking is outlawed in public places, overwhelmingly support the bans, according to Maureen Busalacchi with Smoke Free Wisconsin . She's drawing from a new survey from the Mellman Group which asked 400 registered voters in Marshfield and 400 likely voters in Appleton and Eau Claire. Busalacchi says smoke free bans "are even more popular" in these areas after they've been enacted than when the issue was first debated.
She says criticisms that smoke free bans would negatively affect hospitality business are false. The poll indicated people are more likely to patronize restaurants and bars by 52% compared to 39% who said the bans make no difference and 7% who would be less likely.
As far as smokers, 51% agreed that the rights of customers and employees take precedent over the rights of smokers. However, smokers were split 48% to 48% on whether they supported or opposed the city bans.
