MADISON, Wis., –Nov. 18, 2025– Today, the Wisconsin Senate passed Assembly Bill 211, a bill that moves us in the wrong direction by rolling back our strong statewide smoke-free air law – a long-held public health standard that protects Wisconsinites. Volunteer advocates from across Wisconsin, as well as the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), American Lung Association and American Heart Association – three of Wisconsin’s leading patient advocacy organizations – urge the Governor to protect the state’s Smoke-Free Air Law and veto Assembly Bill 211.
“This bill creates a significant loophole in Wisconsin’s Indoor Smoke-Free Air Law and is more harmful than it looks. Your favorite neighborhood bar could soon be filled with smoke from cigars, brown cigarettes, hookah, and pipes said Sara Sahli, Wisconsin government relations director for ACS CAN.
“Our current law is clear, strong, easy to enforce, and wildly popular with over 70% of Wisconsinites supporting,” said Molly Collins, advocacy director for the American Lung Association.
“Throughout this process, the hundreds of messages from health advocates to Wisconsin’s lawmakers were clear, ‘please keep our smoke-free air law clear and strong, oppose Assembly Bill 211,’” said Nicole Hudzinski, Wisconsin government relations director for the American Heart Association.
This legislation has passed both chambers and now heads to the Governor’s desk. Patients and advocates are urging the governor to veto the bill.
