Dane county has imposed a ban on smoking in all the towns from next year. The ban is applicable in all workplaces, bars and restaurants. “The statewide smoking ban in the legislature was like Bambi vs. Godzilla. It never stood a chance,” said de Felice. “In the final analysis, people are dying. Is there anything else we have to know?”

Supporters of the ban feel that the Supervisors have taken an excellent decision, as smoking not only effects active smokers but passive smokers as well. However, supporters feel that the ban targets selectively. It targets only small groups of businesses that permit smoking.

Dane County is the first in the state to ban smoking in taverns and the second to ban smoking in restaurants. La Crosse County was the first one to ban smoking in restaurants in 2003.

Smoking has also been banned in various incorporated cities and villages around Dane County, including Madison.

Supervisor Dave de Felice, District 16, opines that involvement of government was necessary because otherwise a statewide tobacco ban is unlikely to occur in coming years.