Wisconsin bartenders healthier since smoking ban

A smoking ban has made Wisconsin bartenders healthier according to a new study.

The study was carried out by the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. 500 bar staff were questioned, both before and after the ban was enforced. After the ban researchers say they found fewer upper respiratory symptoms among non-smoking bartenders.

Despite the health benefits, many bartenders are still unhappy about the ban because they say it has caused customer levels to decline. One bartender told WEAU news that customers complain about the smoking ban nearly every day.

At the same time, the study shows that more bartenders support smoke-free establishments. Support grew the most among young bartenders who smoke and those working in rural areas of the state.

Wisconsin’s smoking ban is one of many enforced in different parts of the US. There have been no attempts by congress to enforce a ban on federal level. This means that all smoking bans are entirely a product of state and local laws. Smoking laws vary greatly between regions: some places don’t regulate smoking at all, some ban smoking in certain areas, while some ban smoking nearly everywhere, even in outdoor areas.

New York City is one of the latest places to announce an extension to its smoking ban (which previously covered all indoor workplaces, bars and restaurants). From May, smoking will additionally be prohibited in outdoor areas of the city such as parks, coastlines and zoos.