MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Managers of some Wisconsin hotels want an exemption to the statewide smoking ban before it takes effect next summer.

The ban covers all workplaces, including bars, restaurants and hotels. That means an end to designated smoking rooms.

Tom Ziarnik (ZAR'-nik) manages Doubletree Inns in Madison and Milwaukee. He wants to be able to set aside 25 percent of rooms for smoking.

State Rep. Gary Sherman agrees. The Port Wing Democrat says without an exemption, tourists could take their business across state borders.

Several lawmakers favored such an exemption when the ban was being debated. But they reversed their votes in a compromise to ensure the overall ban passed.

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Information from: Wisconsin Public Radio, http://www.wpr.org

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