Some say smoke ban may help on border

Tavern owners on both sides of the Wisconsin border are wondering which way customers will drift under Illinois' new no-smoking law.

Throughout the smoking debate, Illinois bar owners -- particularly those near the state line -- claimed they would lose business to Wisconsin taverns.

But Maureen Busalacchi, executive director of Smoke Free Wisconsin, said tavern owners in her state might also have something to worry about.

"My prediction is Wisconsin will lose business to Illinois because more people like smoke-free environments than not," Busalacchi said.

On Tuesday, Illinois became the 22nd state in the country to ban smoking in bars, restaurants and sports stadiums.

Under the new law, smokers must be 15 feet from entrances before lighting up. Violators will be fined $100 to $250. Three violations in one year will carry a $2,500 penalty.

Wisconsin is still smoker-friendly, but that could change.

A Wisconsin Senate committee will vote on a statewide smoking ban Tuesday. If it passes, the measure will go to the full Senate for approval.

Pete Madland, spokesman for the Tavern League of Wisconsin, said Busalacchi's assertion that Wisconsin bars will suffer because of Illinois' smoking ban is a stretch.

"Our members who have businesses on the border of Minnesota have seen an increase since (Minnesota) has gone smoke-free," Madland said. "If the nonsmokers are seeking out smoke-free bars, that would not be the trend."

Tony Bodanyi, owner of Jimmy V's Sports Bar in Fox Lake, was planning to get more business from Illinois nonsmokers, but never thought about the impact the ban could have on attracting Wisconsin residents.

"That's really interesting and a totally different twist from everything we've heard," Bodanyi said. "We're about six miles from the border. I'm really curious to find out about that one."

Tod Cobeen, with FitzWoody's Lakeshore Grill in Twin Lakes, Wis., said it will probably be an even swap for border bars.

"I could see people who don't want to be near smoking but who want to go out, leaving," Cobeen said. "But I think it will probably be a wash."

Ellen Hanson, a bartender at Kelly's Pub in Trevor, Wis., isn't worried about losing any business to Illinois.

After Tuesday, Hanson is excited about Illinois' smoking ban.

"I was here on New Year's Day and counted at least 14 people who wouldn't have been here otherwise but came to smoke," she said. "I think more people will come up to Wisconsin than we will lose. Made it a better day for me."