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Action on Smoking and Health
A National Legal-Action Antismoking Organization Entirely Supported by Tax-Deductible Contributions
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Sun Prairie City Council Bans Smoking in All City Buildings and Vehicles [06/14-2]
Excerpts from: Council Supports Ban On Smoking Sun Prairie Proposal Would Apply To City Buildings And Vehicles
By Beth Williams Madison.com [06/03/04]
City Clerk Diane Hermann-Brown doesn't want to risk an asthma attack just to
walk into the City Hall break room, where aldermen and others smoke at night.
"What happens is my staff the other office people come in and we've got ashtrays full of cigarette butts," said Hermann-Brown, who wrote the council on behalf of other employees. "But also the room smells terrible."
On Wednesday, City Council members -- including some who have lit up in the room -- voted 7-1 to ban smoking in all city buildings and vehicles.
But City Council President Jerry Moore said smoking is just too dangerous in city buildings -- even part time in just one room -- because of the negative health effects of secondhand smoke.
"I really don't think it's personal preference," said Moore, who doesn't smoke. "It's a health issue."
Sun Prairie was the only Dane County city not to fully ban smoking in city buildings, according to a 2003 survey by the UW Medical School. A state study found that three-quarters of Wisconsin cities ban smoking in all city buildings.
Sun Prairie city workers asked for a smoking ban about 10 years ago, Hermann-Brown said. That effort resulted in a city policy that keeps city hall smoke-free by day.
Employees are also asking that smoking be prohibited in city vehicles. Right now, the city bans smoking if there are any passengers, but a driver alone can smoke.
Some officials were surprised it hadn't already been banned. "I just took it for granted that there had never been smoking in city vehicles," said Hanneman, who is trying to quit smoking.
The Police Department has prohibited smoking in its squad cars for years, said Rem Brandt, police public information officer.
Currently, a city ordinance prohibits smoking in city buildings except for the library, Sun Prairie Water & Light properties and in officially designated smoking areas. The library and Sun Prairie Water & Light were exempt from city rules because they are governed by an outside board or commission. Both have already banned smoking
In April, Madison's City Council voted to ban smoking in virtually all workplaces, including taverns, by July 2005. There are few exemptions.
Smoking regulations in Sun Prairie are much looser, allowing businesses to designate entire buildings as smoking areas by placing signs at entrances.
And there's apparently little interest in stronger regulations.
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