Wisconsin’s statewide smoking ban is one year old today, and the lobby group for the state’s bar and tavern industry is still not entirely happy with the outcome. “It’s been, certainly not the success that the other side would lead you to believe,” said Rob Swearingen, President of the Tavern League of Wisconsin. “It has been devastating to a lot of our members across the state.” Swearingen said many owners don’t have the financial resources to erect separate smoking areas. “Having to send patrons out in sub-zero weather to smoke a cigarette obviously did not fly very well, business wise,” he said. He was reacting to a survey commissioned by smoke free advocacy groups, showing 75 percent support for the law.
John Colbert, WIBA