The new smoke-free ordinance for the Village of Shorewood becomes effective July 1, when all Shorewood indoor public places and workplaces, including restaurants, bars and other places of employment, will be required to be smoke-free. The ordinance also applies to common areas of rental buildings, waiting rooms and lobbies of all buildings open to the public, health care and child care facilities, public transit/shelters, any place of employment not exempt, and village parks as posted.
Every building that is a place of employment must have at least one smoke-free entrance, along with a sign that states “No Smoking” posted at every entrance, in prominent locations inside a business, and in outdoor nonsmoking buffer zones.
In June 2006, former U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona said: “The debate is over. The science is clear: Secondhand smoke is not a mere annoyance, but a serious health hazard that causes premature death and disease in children and non-smoking adults.” Secondhand smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals, including at least 69 carcinogens.
On May 18, Governor Jim Doyle signed legislation for a comprehensive smoking ban in workplaces in Wisconsin after July 5, 2010. A full year before the deadline, Shorewood is very proud to be a leader in offering safe workplaces and dining venues that will ensure that we all can breathe clean, smoke-free air.
For more information, visit villageofshorewood.org or smokefreeshorewood.com. You may also contact the Village of Shorewood Health Department at 414.847.2710.