Will Hubbard Park Lodge Survive the New Shorewood Smoking Ban ---

By David Tatarowicz

June 30, 2009

Shorewood's new Smoking Ban goes into effect tomorrow on July 1st .

As to the particular elements of the Smoking Ban --- no smoking in your office (place of employment), no smoking areas for employees, no smoking in lobbies, even restrictions on smoking outside building entrances............ it can, and has been argued, about whether the ban goes too far in the name of public health, and whether it is another "Big Brother" encroachment on Individual Rights ?

I think the ban has definitely crossed the line by "outlawing" smoking in Village parks (Estabrook is ok, it is a county park).

I don't think anybody can make a case for a health hazard to the good citizens of Shorewood if someone decides to relax on a park bench to enjoy their cigarette, cigar or pipe !

I quit smoking cigarettes over twenty years ago --- but I still enjoy a good Cuban a couple times a month . But now, I risk being busted by the SPD for poisoning the community !!!

Of all the restaurants and bars that are affected by the Smoking Ban , Hubbard Park Lodge may suffer the most. At any other establishment in town, patrons can at least walk out the door and light up.

But if you are at Hubbard Park Lodge for any function, or perhaps their superb Sunday Brunch, you would need to leave the building and walk through the tunnel and through the parking lot and back out to the street to have a legal smoke.

Stepping outside the Lodge for that cigarette makes you liable to arrest for violating the Shorewood Ordinance.

Even pulling into the Hubbard parking lot, while puffing on your cigarette would be smoking in the park, and not allowed by law.

Has Big Brother gone too far in Shorewood ?

It is ironic that many states have now legalized "medical marijuana" and the Federal Government has stopped hassling them or enforcing Federal law over State law ---- If and when WI goes the Med Grass route, will that be covered by this smoking ban ?

What Do You Think ? Your Comments Are Welcome!

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Tags: Shorewood Smoking Ban : Hubbard Park Lodge : Village Parks : Big Brother
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Jaime

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Wednesday Jul 01, 2009 10:43 AM

First let me state that, although I am a cigar smoker, I totally respect the idea of removing 2nd hand smoke from anyone who wishes so! On the other hand, as you said, the logistics of this new law/ordinance will prove interesting to work out! In addition to your thoughts about Hubbard Park and the Lodge, I have to wonder how this affects me when I take a stroll through our village and pass within the parameters of the 'entrance to a public place' while enjoying a fine cigar? Does this mean I can no longer walk along Oakland Avenue carrying a lighted puro? ...should be interesting how this is interpreted.

dtatarowicz

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Wednesday Jul 01, 2009 2:56 PM

Jaime

I also wondered about that myself ....... but I think that if you are not an employee, you can smoke in front of a shop .... however, will probably take a court case to figure that out.

However, for the store owners and employees , it does present a whole different problem. Many of them smoke, and in the shops that line Oakland ave, it is not unusual to see them out front enjoying a cigarette in between customers.

Since that will no longer be legal for them to do --- I think many of them will try to grab a quick smoke out the back door, drastically increasing a risk of theft and shoplifting if someone comes in while they are out back.

I would hope the Village Board will revisit this ordinace and delete the non-logical and practical portions such as the smoking in open parks and smoking in front of the entrances of stores.

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