People Ban: WI Onalaska

Restaurant Association announces support for smoking ban

February 9, 2007
ADAM BISSEN

The city of Onalaska is moving ahead on its own wide-ranging smoking ban despite similar legislation being considered for the entire state.

At Wednesday night’s Administrative and Judiciary Committee meeting for the Onalaska Common Council, Alderman Gary Gonczy introduced a nine-page ordinance that would ban smoking in all workplaces, enclosed public spaces and many outdoor locations, such as playgrounds and sports arenas.

A public hearing on the ordinance is scheduled for 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27, at Onalaska City Hall.

At a news conference in January, Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle proposed a ban on smoking in all workplaces, although recent news reports indicate he would consider exempting bars and taverns.

In light of Doyle’s proposal, Onalaska Alderman Clarence Stellner sought to delay action on Onalaska’s ordinance until the governor revealed more details of his smoking ban.

“Maybe we’re jumping the gun on this thing,” Stellner said. “I think that we should wait until the state comes out with the total package …so we don’t become an island.”

“Sometimes you need to have an island to lead the way,” Gonczy responded. “I have a feeling that when I think of the right thing to do, and what the city ought to do, then I will lead that charge.”

Stellner’s motion to delay consideration of the smoking ban died for lack of a second.

According to a draft of the anti-smoking ordinance distributed at the meeting, smoking will be banned within 20 feet of entrances to all workplaces, and every workplace should have at least one entrance where smoking is banned within 100 feet.

Ashtrays, cigarette vending machines and other smoking paraphernalia also are prohibited in locations covered by the ban. Violators would be fined $125 for the first offense and $500 for subsequent offenses.

The council is scheduled to give the first and second reading of the anti-smoking ordinance on March 13. The third and final reading would be scheduled for April 10.