STEVENS POINT, Wis. (WTAQ) - Many taverns in Wisconsin have apparently stopped selling cigarettes.
A new federal law took effect a couple months ago which bans cigarette vending machines in businesses where children are allowed. And because Wisconsin allows underage people to drink with their parents, taverns had to throw out their cigarette machines.
Stevens Point City Clerk John Moe said many bar owners believe it’s too much of a hassle to sell smokes over the bar. As a result, the number of cigarette sales permits in Stevens Point dropped from 60 in 2005 to 27 this year.
Taverns cannot allow indoor smoking anyway, as a result of the statewide workplace smoking ban which took effect July 5th. The Central Wisconsin Sunday newspaper says grocers and convenience stores hold most of the cigarette sales permits in Stevens Point, Marshfield, and Wisconsin Rapids.
The permit fees rose dramatically over the past 12 years. They’re now $100 in all 3 communities.
