RHINELANDER - There's no question.
Wisconsin is badgering its way from smoking to smokeless after the ban went into effect two weeks ago.
A local business owner says he's definitely seen a change of scenery at his business.
Mike Hastreiter owns Bucketheads in Rhinelander.
And since the smoking ban lit up, he says he's noticed a difference. "I've noticed people don't play the games as much or as long as they used to before, and they're a little more apt to move around a little bit."
But Hastreiter says he's also noticed more families coming into his smokeless business. "Just because of the fact that they have kids and didn't want them to be around the smoking environment."
But Mike's not the only one shifting gears.
Oneida County is also discussing how to best enforce the ban at places like the courthouse.
Niki Kostrova is the Tobacco Control Coordinator for Oneida County.
She says courthouse policy gets specific. "While you're smoking a cigarette, you need to be 25ft. away from the building and that no lit cigarette should cross that 25 foot threshold."
She also says it's important to put up appropriate signs and keep receptacles 25 ft. from the building as well.
But she also says enforcement isn't only up to police. "I think at the establishment itself should be enforcing the law and if there are issues and problems, then law enforcement would get involved at that point."
As for problems at Bucketheads, Mike says so far things have been quiet. "We had one instance where somebody mentioned that a customer was smoking and it happened to be somebody from out of state who didn't know."
So far, it's a smooth transition Mike hopes will continue.
The health department encourages everyone to be aware of and follow the rules of the establishment you're in.
Story By: Dana Blado