Governor Won't Repeal Smoking Ban in Restaurants

Despite opposing the ban last year, Gov. Scott Walker said he now favors the ban as a reasonable restriction on restaurants and bars.
Gov. Scott Walker said today he will not repeal the state's smoking ban in restaurants and bars as it reaches its one-year anniversary.

Walker originally opposed the ban as unnecessary government restrictions on private businesses, but today he said time has shown it has not been unduly harmful.

“Although I did not support the original smoking ban, after listening to people across the state, it is clear to me that it works," Walker said. "Therefore I will not support a repeal.”

The ban went into effect July 5, 2010, after being signed in 2009 by then-Gov. Jim Doyle.

In Brookfield, the smoking ban has prompted many restaurants and bars to seek city approval for new or expanded outdoor seating. Aldermen loosened their ordinances to allow outdoor seating at restaurants that abut residential development — something that previously was prohibited.