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The Cap Times reported on a UW-Milwaukee study linking local Wisconsin smoking bans with increased OWI's. Study links smoking bans to OWIs
Yawn. I reported evidence supporting such linkage about three weeks ago: OWI Arrests Spike After Madison SmokeFree Law - Updated
Monona is in the unusual situation where Madison's ban has made our local bars smokier and also (probably) increased the incidence of drunk driving. To be clear, the idea is that on average people are driving farther to drink in Monona where they can smoke while they drink and consequently are at a greater risk of apprehension when they make the return trip after drinking (and smoking).
Just wondering out loud: Why doesn't the Dane County Board of Supervisors take up a county-wide smoking ban? That would be an improvement over a patchwork of local laws.
Sunday, April 06, 2008
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The county board doesn't have jurisdiction to do a county wide ban. For something like that, they only have jurisdiction on unincorporated areas.
ReplyDeleteThe question of jurisdiction is the usual smoke and mirrors of avoiding the issue. Monona could take a leading role in the county and urge the county to move at the same time.
ReplyDeleteWhen the issue was a referendum to bring the troops home, the reactionaries on council fought it 'because it was a waste of the councils time'. When the issue was Squaw Bay the 'real Mononans' shifted the blame to Dane County.
When the issue is smoking and health the dodge is that it would hurt Monona tavern by losing business.
Never address the issue on its merits if you can dance around it...besides Monona isn't Madison.
Seeing as how I am one of the sponsors of the smoke free ordinance I'm surprised to see my motives being questioned just for asking a question about county action. I can assure you I do not plan to wait long for action on the proposal.
ReplyDeleteIn any event, if what Amy says is correct, it's a nonissue.