WisBusiness.com: Statewide poll shows support for smoking ban

By Mike Schramm

A new poll shows strong public support for a complete ban on smoking in places such as restaurants and bars, even if bans hurt sales.

The poll shows 59 percent are open to a ban while 39 percent are opposed to it. (See question wording and full results)

Jill Ness, director of grassroots development for SmokeFree Wisconsin, said the numbers were “great news” for anti-tobacco advocates and that they showed a higher level of support than other polls. She said when polls ask about banning smoking in workplaces, close to 70 percent of respondents usually favor the move, but when the question mentions bars, the support drops closer to 50 percent.

The question was part of the Wisconsin Checkpoint Survey, which surveyed 500 likely voters May 18-20. The poll by Wood Communications Group and Public Opinion Strategies carries a margin of error of plus or minus 4.38 percent.

The poll question was spurred by recently passed smoking bans in Madison and around the state. Seventeen municipalities and one county have restaurant smoking ordinances. (See a complete list)

Even with the seeming increase in smoking ban support, Ness said Wisconsin isn’t ready yet for a statewide ban. Before California passed its statewide ban in 1998, dozens of municipalities had already passed their own ordinances.

“I’m not convinced we’ve reached that tipping point yet,” Ness said.

Service industry groups like the Wisconsin Restaurant Association and the Tavern League of Wisconsin generally oppose local smoking ordinances. They say that local bans make for a competitive imbalance between businesses in neighboring communities. They say the decision to allow smoking should be left up to individual businesses.

“Business owners should have the right to set their own policies,” said Paul Merline, government relations specialist for the Wisconsin Restaurant Association, pointing out that many WRA members have voluntarily banned smoking. “We’re not here to advocate smoking.”

Because there is no push yet for a statewide ban, Merline said the WRA does not have a position on that issue, but, “for there to be a statewide ban it would have to be fair and it would have to include everyone.”

If such a ban were proposed, Merline said the WRA would follow its members’ wishes in developing a position.

Additional information

  • Poll question: Several states and municipalities have passed ordinances prohibiting smoking in all enclosed public places including bars and restaurants as a means of protecting public health. Given what you know about this issue, do you personally support or oppose a complete ban on smoking in places such as restaurants and bars, even if such measures hurt sales in these establishments?
    Response Percentage*
    Definitely support 51 percent
    Probably support 7 percent
    Total support 59 percent
    Definitely oppose 31 percent
    Probably oppose 8 percent
    Total opposition 39 percent
    Don’t know/refused 3 percent

    *Figures are rounded

  • Restaurant smoking ordinances in the state, and the year each was enacted:
    Source: SmokeFree Wisconsin

    Madison, 1992 (strengthened in 2003 and again in 2004 – includes work sites and bars)
    Shorewood Hills, 1994
    Middleton, 1996
    Fond du Lac, 1999
    Kenosha, 2000
    City of La Crosse, 2000
    Ashland, 2000
    Eau Claire, 2000
    Neenah, 2001
    Onalaska, 2002
    Holmen, 2002
    Janesville, 2003
    West Salem, 2003
    River Falls, 2003
    Wauwatosa, 2003
    La Crosse County, 2003

    Oshkosh, 2004

    Bristol, 2004 (includes some bars)