The Forum

As the WI statewide smoking ban slowly works its way through Madison, this odd story appeared from the AP.

Minnesota bars beat smoking ban
By GREGG AAMOT, AP, 3/6/08

MAPLEWOOD, Minn. - All the world's a stage at some of Minnesota's bars. A new state ban on smoking in restaurants and other nightspots contains an exception for performers in theatrical productions. So some bars are getting around the ban by printing up playbills, encouraging customers to come in costume, and pronouncing them "actors." if(window.yzq_d==null)window.yzq_d=new Object(); window.yzq_d['aeeGw0LEYrY-']='&U=13bt23co3%2fN%3daeeGw0LEYrY-%2fC%3d634526.11963950.12405399.8411986%2fD%3dLREC%2fB%3d4670851';

The customers are playing right along, merrily puffing away — and sometimes speaking in funny accents and doing a little improvisation, too.

The state Health Department is threatening to bring the curtain down on these sham productions. But for now, it's on with the show.  (READ FULL STORY)

The Shorewood smoking ordinance contains a similar exception.

Exceptions. The following areas shall not be subject to the smoking restrictions of this section:

(1) Retail tobacco stores. 

(2) Any stage of any theater when used in connection with any theatrical performance and so noticed in the program.