Would a public workplace smoking ban in Wisconsin threaten local taverns?
Some local tavern owners disagree with a report claiming smoking bans don’t hurt business. The report was released Tuesday by Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group, which supports a bill that would ban smoking in public workplaces in Wisconsin. The Assembly Public Health Committee is holding a public hearing on the bill today. “The findings were that the economic impacts are either neutral or positive in communities that have adopted these policies,” said Bruce Speight, public interest advocate for WISPIRG. “The report shows that we can have smoke-free bars and a healthy economy.” According to the report, both requests for liquor licenses in Madison and Appleton and the average assessed value of their business districts have increased since those communities adopted smoking bans for bars and restaurants. In addition, the report states that the studies that have concluded that smoking bans are bad for the economy have been backed by the tobacco industry. “These tales of economic ruin
