Wisconsin and North Carolina implement indoor smoking bans
Published on June 1, 2009 4:30 AM
Bars, filled with cigarette smoke and smell of beer, coffee and fried food, have been an essential part of life of Wisconsin residents. As regards North Carolina, it has been the US leading tobacco grower for a log time.
However, North Carolina and Wisconsin restaurants and bars and restaurants prepare to become smoke-free soon as their respective Assemblies recently approved the proposed bans that have been headed for signing to Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle and Beverly Perdue the Governor of North Carolina who both previously expressed their support to the introduced legislations.
After New York City imposed the historical first ever public smoking ban in 2003, 22 American states and Washington DC have banned smoking in all enclosed public places, including establishments that serve food and drinks. Several states, among which are Virginia, Nebraska and Montana have as well approved similar smoking regulations that will come into effect by the end of 2009.
The final voting on the smoking ban held in The North Carolina Senate floor finished with 62 to 56 votes for the ban, which has become yet another big step forward to prevent the exposure to secondhand smoke and health complications related to it. That is especially vital for the state which remains the leading tobacco growing state across the nation, if judging by crop sales. Only last year, local tobacco growers generated $676 million worth of tobacco that is more than a half of the aggregate U.S. production.
According to the legislation, the ban violators would be fined $50 in case they refuse to put out their cigarettes after being asked to do so by the manager of the enclosed building. However, the legislation is likely to be self enforced and there would be no police teams capturing people. Establishments’ owners risk to get up to a $250 fine in case they would permit indoor smoking.
As regards Wisconsin, local senators have finally approved the bill to impose a statewide indoor smoking ban. The final voting that took place on the Senate floor put an end on the long-term relentless struggle between the ban opponents, including the Wisconsin Tavern League and Wisconsin Hospitality Association and ban supporters, among which were numerous health groups and anti-smoking advocates.
The Wisconsin indoor smoking ban that enters into force in July 2010, would prohibit smoking in the majority of indoor public places, including workplaces. Persons who would be caught on smoking in the forbidden facilities would have to pay a $250 fine for the violation of laws. However, eating establishments’ owners are permitted to launch special areas for smokers, physically separated from the remaining part of establishment, separately ventilated and containing not more than two walls. Those restaurant owners who would allow their visitors to smoke in the enclosed facilities would receive a warning and even fined more than $100 for each subsequent infringement.
Cord Clark, 51-year-old Milwaukee resident and owner of Club Marco Polo bar admitted that it’s simply absurd to ban or restrict the consumption and distribution of a legalized product; however, he was satisfied with the fact that the ban is statewide.
"If it was citywide or countywide it would definitely hit the restaurants and bars, but when it is statewide we all find ourselves in the same situation," Clark mentioned. "Of course, we expect to receive complaints from our customers during first months after the ban is imposed, but I believe they would get accustomed after a while."
However, several Wisconsin senators called the latter ban as "anti-smoking fanaticism and persecution of smoking minority." Moreover, some of them admitted that fundamental rights and freedoms were the only thing to be compromised during the consideration and approval of the latest smoking ban.
At the same time in Texas, a similar statewide smoking ban in enclosed areas was recently passed by Texas Public Health Care and Sanitation Committee and now is being considered by the Senate.
Meantime, on Wednesday, another state has approved the increase in excise cigarette tax. This time it happened in Mississippi where one of the nation’s lowest cigarette taxes is increased by 50 cents, from the current 18 cents to 68 cents per pack. The corresponding bill was legally signed by Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour who is known to be a former lobbyist for tobacco industry.
The legislation comes into force at the same time when the cash-strapped Mississippi State Treasury faces an approximate $400 shortage in revenue. According to preliminary estimations, the tax is expected to collect almost $115 million within the next fiscal year, which begins in July. The governor’s spokesman refused to comment the decision to increase the tax in the middle of recession.
The only good news for American smokers came last week from South Carolina where the General Assembly voted down the bill to increase the local cigarette tax – the lowest across the nation- from 7 cents to 57 cents a pack.
