Illinois anti-smoking legislation continues

[omowasu]

Bear in mind, I am not a cigarette smoker. I have a cigar at the bar once in a while - while watching the game or relaxing - and I choose to do so because I have a place to go relax, get a meal, enjoy a stogie with a cold brew, and chat it up with friends (some of whom smoke cigarettes, some cigars, and some are nonsmokers). While there, we may ring up a 100.00 - 200.00 tab with meals and drinks. Take out the cigar for me and cigarettes for them, and I would just as soon stay home and invite the friends over.

Effective 1/2/07, several large suburbs of Chicago will ban all indoor smoking and smoking within 15 feet of a building entrance. Smoking will also be banned in "semienclosed" spaces such as a bar patio or outdoor venue. The "clean air ordinance" also bans smoking in bowling alleys and sports arenas. Its funny how the "clean air ordinance" doesnt cover auto exhaust, 2-cycle lawn implements, grills, woodburning fireplaces, dust, paint fumes, restaurant exhaust (carcinogenic), asphalt odors, etc...

The following suburbs will be hit:
Arlington Heights (except Arlington Park race track)
Elk Grove Village
Buffalo Grove
Hoffman Estates
Rolling Meadows
Schaumburg

Elk Grove Village is taking it one step further, with not only a "clean air ordinance", but an attempt to completely ban the SALE of any tobacco products in city limits.

These bans augment those already implemented by Chicago itself in addition to other suburbs such as Deerfied.

Some municipalities chose not to participate in the latest rounds of legislation. Many of these municipalities surround those implementing a ban, making restaurant and bar owners in banned areas very nervous. Estimated impact to some Schaumburg nightclubs which allowed smoking and sold tobacco products is a major business downturn.

As a result, anti-smoking municipalities are trying to pressure the Illinois legislature to ban smoking state-wide, to "level the playing field" so to speak and prevent towns that do not have ordinances from taking the revenues from those that do.

Business impact to Sangamon county has been brutal since the ban on 9/15/06 (remember this LOLH'ers?):
http://www.smokersclubinc.com/module...ticle&sid=3708

"How long can you and your family survive without a paycheck? A month, perhaps two months? This is what Springfield's bar owners are experiencing because of the smoking ban. Their net business income is their paycheck - and scores of them have been without a paycheck for two months now. These people and their families are suffering immeasurably. "

"When small businesses account for about two-thirds of our country's economic growth and new jobs, it is difficult to comprehend elected officials' reasoning in voting to implement an intrusive ordinance which will hurt those same business owners."

[c2000]

Level the playing field?? Funny according to the anti smoking wackos bar and restaurants that go smoke free have shown no loss in business and in fact usually business picks up..This is what goes on,,these cities and suburbs ban smoking ,,the banned business complain and here comes the level playing field theory so the whole state ends up smoke free. There are folks making a living off the kangaroo court tobacco settlements that get paid to get these anti smoking agendas passed..

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by omowasu

Effective 1/2/07, several large suburbs of Chicago will ban all indoor smoking and smoking within 15 feet of a building entrance. Smoking will also be banned in "semienclosed" spaces such as a bar patio or outdoor venue. The "clean air ordinance" also bans smoking in bowling alleys and sports arenas. Its funny how the "clean air ordinance" doesnt cover auto exhaust, 2-cycle lawn implements, grills, woodburning fireplaces, dust, paint fumes, restaurant exhaust (carcinogenic), asphalt odors, etc...

The following suburbs will be hit:
Arlington Heights (except Arlington Park race track)
Elk Grove Village
Buffalo Grove
Hoffman Estates
Rolling Meadows
Schaumburg

Add Palatine to the list as well....

[omowasu]

Crap. The really sad part about Palatine is that it used to be one of the most cigar friendly suburbs in the Chicago area. There used to be great bars like Burning Ambitions which had blues music and a great cigar atmosphere (in addition to an attached B&M). They are all gone now, and the ordinance is the icing on the cake for any more of those places. May they rest in peace.

And I have to wonder, how many people will actually go to Durty Nellies for a show when they cant smoke? They cater to the smoking demographic!

Oh well, we will soon herald the day of the speakeasy once again!

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by omowasu

Crap. The really sad part about Palatine is that it used to be one of the most cigar friendly suburbs in the Chicago area. There used to be great bars like Burning Ambitions which had blues music and a great cigar atmosphere (in addition to an attached B&M).

Actually the bar that opened in Burning Ambitions old spot, Charlie's, has been one of my favorite cigar smoking spots the last year. Still very cigar friendly and still with most of the motif, and the ventilation system, of B.A. Sucks that soon they will all cater to the nay sayers.

[daveteal]

Theres a resturant around the corner from me in chicago where i would go and have a coffee and smoke with the owner and patrons.Every sunday we would watch sports than i would order for the family to go.Now the place is half dead cause of the ban ,so you cant tell me its helping business.