Residents weigh effects as smoking ban looms one year before state's
Jump to full article: Milwaukee (WI) Journal-Sentinel, 2009-06-15
Author: Tom Kertscher of the Journal Sentinel
Intro: To hear Elias Chedid and Sam Triscari talk about them, smoking bans are about love and war.
Chedid, the non-smoking part-owner of Harry's Bar & Grill, initially opposed a smoking ban in Shorewood when it was proposed several years ago. But as the percentage of smoking customers continued to decline, he enacted a ban of his own at Harry's about a year ago.
The smoking regulars still come "and I've had a lot of hugs and kisses from everybody else," Chedid said.
Some folks at the American Legion, however, are downright combative about bans on an otherwise legal activity.
Triscari, one of the veterans who runs the bar and restaurant at the Shorewood post, says it's fine for business proprietors - but not the government - to prohibit smoking.
"These guys fought for choice and we won the war, and it's not illegal," said Triscari, 79, a Navy veteran and 60-year smoker. "You can't tell us we can't do this."
But that's what governments are doing.
Starting July 1, smoking in Shorewood will be prohibited not only in restaurants, taverns and other buildings open to the public, but also in parks. Bars and restaurants will be able to allow smoking outside their establishments.
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