Former opponents working together

Bar owners in Appleton have already pledged to work with anti-smoking forces to get a statewide smoking ban passed. WBAY-TV reports:

Those who didn't agree with workplace smoking bans say Appleton and Madison should not be the only cities in Wisconsin where a ban exists.

Robbie Johnson is manager of The Bar in Appleton. "Our only option at this point, if we're going to have a level playing field, is going to the state. The surrounding communities have chosen to exempt bars, and we sit in the middle of 19 communities for the most part have no smoking ban or have one that exempts bars," he said.

It's not a crazy idea to have a statewide ban. Also noted by WBAY-TV:

Wisconsin wouldn't be the first to go smoke-free. Nine states already ban smoking in all public workplaces, including New York and Florida. Four more states ban smoking in restaurants, including California, and some in bars.

Florida is a state the relies heavily on tourism income so if they are not scared that a statewide smoking ban will scare away tourists, Wisconsin shouldn't be either. A statewide ban is the best way to go and I hope this new coalition in Appleton is the start of a successful campaign to bring a statewide smoking ban to Wisconsin soon.