• Home
  • News
    • Politics / Govt
    • Legislature
    • Crime / Courts
    • Health / Medicine
    • Archives
  • Sports
    • Badgers
    • Packers
      • Titletown Report
    • Brewers
  • Contact Us
    • Reporters
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support

Wisconsin Radio Network

Wisconsin News and Sports

You are here: Home / Business / Wisconsin smoking ban turns three

Wisconsin smoking ban turns three

July 5, 2013 By Andrew Beckett

File Photo

File Photo: WRN

Supporters of Wisconsin’s statewide smoking ban are celebrating its third birthday.

The law took effect on July 5th of 2010, and Maureen Busalacchi with Health First Wisconsin says the state is better because of it. She says “it’s working well, it’s good for our health, it’s good for business.”

Data from the Wisconsin Restaurant Association and state tax collections show sales at bars and restaurants have actually gone up since the ban was enacted. From 2011 to 2012, business increased by four percent. In the year after the ban took effect, there was a two percent jump.

AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (:54)

The ban has not been great for all businesses though. Scott Stenger with the Wisconsin Tavern League says the law has hurt many of their members’ locally owned businesses. He says that “the ma and pop tavern, which is unique to Wisconsin, we’re seeing fewer and fewer of them.”

Busalacchi contends many of those businesses were likely already struggling though, and she believes the ban was just one of many factors forcing them to close.

While many Republicans opposed enacting the ban, Busalacchi does not believe GOP control in the state Legislature will result in any efforts to repeal the law. If an attempt were to be launched, she argues that Republicans would be “flying in the face of public opinion,” since their polls show 75 to 80 percent of Wisconsin residents support the ban.

WIBA’s John Colbert contributed to this report.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Business, Health / Medicine, News



Featured Stories

Wisconsin veterans cheer passage of PACT Act

Lasry leaves U.S. Senate race and endorses Barnes

Trump will host Waukesha campaign rally for Tim Michels

U.S. House passes Respect for Marriage Act

Former UW Chancellor Blank’s cancer diagnosis means she will not take Northwestern job

TwitterFacebook

Sports Headlines

Giannis breaks franchise scoring record, Bucks beat Nets in OT

Wisconsin’s Davis declares for NBA Draft

Badgers to face Arizona State in Las Vegas Bowl

Williams likely out for the season with broken hand

Packers releasing TE Jace Sternberger

More Sports

Tweets by @WRN

Get our news delivered to your inbox:

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Copyright © 2022 · Learfield News & Ag, LLC

 

Loading Comments...