In May of 2009, Governor Jim Doyle today signed legislation to make public places, including restaurants, taverns, and other indoor workplaces, smoke free.
- SB 181, a comprehensive smoking ban, prohibits smoking in all workplaces in Wisconsin after July 5, 2010.
- Cigar bars and specialty tobacco shops are grandfathered in and are not required to abide by the ban, but cigar bars or specialty tobacco shops that open after the bill’s effective date would be required to be smoke free.
- Any person who attempts to violate the ban is issued a first-time warning and will be subject to a $100-250 fine for each subsequent violation.
- Businesses can establish an outdoor smoking area that cannot be regulated by local governments.
- Thirty-seven Wisconsin communities have local smoking bans which will remain in place until the statewide ban takes effect.
