Marquette students returning from a night out are more likely to stink than UW-Madison or Loyola-Chicago students. The smoky student body odor acquired from a fun evening could decrease if the city of Milwaukee decides to join the two cities by implementing a no smoking ban in closed public places, and there's no good reason why this shouldn't happen.,”Marquette students returning from a night out are more likely to stink than UW-Madison or Loyola-Chicago students. The smoky student body odor acquired from a fun evening could decrease if the city of Milwaukee decides to join the two cities by implementing a no smoking ban in closed public places, and there's no good reason why this shouldn't happen.

As of Jan. 1, it is illegal to light up in Illinois bars and restaurants, creating a healthier and more pleasant atmosphere that would do Milwaukee good too. It just makes more sense to ban smoking than to permit it in public places. The city, its citizens and the environment would acquire benefits that would far outweigh the disadvantages of such a law.

No one enjoys being in a closed area with smokers. The swirling, suffocating smoke makes it hard to breathe and creates an unhealthy situation for those who are only trying to relax and enjoy themselves. Choosing to go out to eat should not mean choosing to come home to wash a jacket because of the smoke-embedded fumes.

Being in an atmosphere with smokers is obviously not something anyone wants to do their lungs. Subjecting one's eyes to the clouds of smoke means accumulating itchy red eyes that may water through a celebration dinner or a few drinks with a friend. All this because nearby patrons choose to smoke, whose addictions or leisurely habits jeopardize the enjoyment and health of their fellow citizens.

Nobody asks for this smoky experience, and Milwaukee bar and restaurant patrons should be no exception to those legally protected from the smoke effects.

A concern that has been coupled with the smoking ban in other regions is that the law would take a toll on the business of venues that currently offer smoking accommodations. Ultimately, a healthier, more pleasant venue will encourage consumers.

Last Tuesday, a Wisconsin senate committee voted 3-2 to pass a bill that would implement a smoking ban that would allow bars and restaurants until 2010 to put the law into action, but would immediately ban smoking in state workplaces.

For the ban to become law, the bill must pass both the Senate and Assembly and be signed by Gov. Jim Doyle. We encourage these governing bodies to sign the bill so that one day we can enjoy clean air in all public places.

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