“I don't think anyone believes that the right of smokers to smoke is more important than the right for everyone to breath fresh air,” says Margaretha Haglund, head of tobacco control programmes at the Swedish National Institute of Public Health.

And with that general attitude prevailing, on June 1st Sweden will join Ireland, Norway, Italy, and Malta in implimenting a nationwide smokefree workplace law.

“It’s definitely a positive step for Sweden,” says Daniel Franzén (23) originally from Karlstad. “There’s so much emphasis here on creating healthy conditions in the workplace, why should bars and cafes and restaurants be any different?”

The law initially sparked criticism from the Swedish Hotel and Restaurant Association although proprietors have been appeased by the general public’s support. In a study conducted by SHR in April 2005, 98 per cent of those asked said the law will have no bearing on the frequency they visit restaurants, bars, cafes or clubs.

This week, Belgium announced that it will be the next European country to move toward clean indoor air.

Several WI cities and towns have passed smokefree workplace legislation. Middleton and Shorewood Hills banned smoking in their restaurants in 1994, with a few exceptions. Fond du Lac, La Crosse, Ashland, Eau Claire, Kenosha, Neenah and Onalaska have followed suit in recent years.

Joe Cherner at SmokeFree.org says, "All workers deserve a safe, healthy, smokefree work environment. No one should have to breathe tobacco smoke to hold a job, because it causes cancer."

The problems voiced in Appleton lately regarding the loss of convention business due to the smoking ban should be recognized as a strong reason for statewide law regarding safe smokfree workplaces.

Joe Cherner provides an on-line way to Urge Governor Doyle to Enact Smokefree Law; No Preemption.

"Political candidates have a choice, they can either pander to people's fears in an effort to win, or speak the truth in order to lead." says 1992 New Hampshire gubernatorial candidate and radio talkshow host, Arnie Arnesen.

Give her show a listen, streaming at www.arniearnesen.com. For three years (2001 to 2004) she hosted her own political talk show, Capital Ideas on WNDS TV. It was the highest rated political talk show in the state and the New Hampshire Association of Broadcasters selected it as the top talk show in the state in 2003. In addition to the radio and TV, Arnie has had a biweekly column in the Boston Globe and is a regular speaker at major academic institutions.

Living in Door County was once like living in a remote rural community. Over a decade ago Wisconsin Public Radio began to open a broader channel to alternative media with the addition of a northern Door transmitter. Now as public radio moves ever closer to the mainstream the World Wide Web provides unlimited options for news and entertainment that push out the boundaries. Try Amy Goodman's Democracy Now! for another fresh take on the news.