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Lake Geneva considers going smoke-free

LAKE GENEVA — Alderman Penny Roehrer would like to see the city be smoke free.

Thirty-five municipalities in the state already have some type of smoke-free ordinance in place, she said, and Lake Geneva should join that group.

"I think it would benefit our residents and our tourists," Roehrer said.

The city council and city staff discussed the issue at a Committee of the Whole meeting Monday night.

Alderman Todd Krause asked whether a citywide smoking ban would include bars and restaurants.

Roehrer said her proposal would include bars and restaurants and would not make exceptions for cordoned-off smoking areas in either type of establishment.

"Those things, I feel, don't work," she said.

Krause noted that in the midst of tough economic times, local bar and restaurant owners probably wouldn't welcome a smoking ban.

"You tell (them) we're not going to allow smoking, and you're going to have a good turnout at (the public hearing on the ordinance)," he said.

Alderman Mary Jo Fesenmaier said she thinks a large number of residents would support such a smoke-free ordinance. She said she recently sent her constituents a survey to gauge their interest on a number of issues, including a citywide smoking ban.

"I received a lot of positive response," she said. "I think the interest is there."

The committee unanimously voted to direct City Attorney Dan Draper to draft a smoke-free ordinance.

Residents could weigh in on the issue at the first December meeting of the finance committee.