MADISON, Wis. (WTAQ) - Wisconsin’s taverns, restaurants, and other public places have had over 6 months to get ready for the statewide indoor smoking ban which begins July 5th. Some establishments say they’re ready, while others are still trying to get exempt. The Wisconsin Innkeepers Association is behind a bill to allow smoking in up to a quarter of hotel and motel rooms. The group says Wisconsin is the only Midwest state that does not exempt hotels – and they’re worried about losing customers. Meanwhile, bar owner Pat Deau of Rhinelander has an outdoor patio set for his smokers – but he still believes business owners should decide for themselves whether to ban it. Deau says the ban will cut profits by about 5 percent. But Maureen Busalacchi of Smoke Free Wisconsin says the damage from second-hand smoke makes a statewide ban necessary. 38 Wisconsin communities are ahead of the curve, by banning smoking on their own.
