A statewide smoking ban is currently awaiting action in the state Senate, but it's currently stalled because some Democrats say they won't vote for a bill unless it provides an exemption for taverns. Governor Jim Doyle says delaying action on the measure doesn't make sense. Doyle says neighboring states already have their own bans in place, and a statewide prohibition on smoking in public places is the direction things are moving.
The Governor says an exemption for taverns isn't going to happen. However, Doyle says he is open to a compromise that would phase-in a statewide ban.
Doyle says opponents of the ban need to realize it will happen eventually.