Posted on 06/03/2005 2:41:36 PM PDT by SheLion
Highland Park enacted Lake Countys first smoking ban Wednesday, a move local health officials say is something they hope all municipalities will soon consider.
It means all indoor public areas, including restaurants, taxis and places of work, in the city are off limits to smokers. The ordinance was approved by the city council in April.
The second-hand smoke issue is becoming really big, said Bill Mays, the county health departments director of community health services. Highland Parks leadership in this regard is an important precedent.
Health department officials say the action is the most sweeping theyve seen. Thats due, in part, because Highland Park is one of 20 communities in Illinois that can legally enact smoking bans tougher than state standards.
All that is poised to change if Gov. Rod Blagojevich signs off on a plan that would allow individual municipalities to snuff smoking on their own turf. The plan, in the works for more than a decade, was recently approved by the state legislature and awaits approval from the governor.
However, Highland Parks smoking ban is not without opposition.
Richard Holleb, owner of Nortons Restaurant on Sheridan Road, said he had 350 customers sign a petition against the ordinance before it was passed. His restaurants turn into bars at night, where he used to permit smoking once the kitchen closed.
My guess is that I will lose business, Holleb said.
For local residents like Simon Pestell, who walked through downtown Highland Park Wednesday with a cigarette in hand, the ban foreshadows whats to come over time in most cities.
Personally, I think its stupid because restaurants have good ventilation systems now, he said.
At Rosebud restaurant, general manager John Folinazzo said he knows non-smokers will be happy cigarette and cigar fumes wont be coming from the bar area anymore.
In the summer, people can come and sit on the patio to smoke, but the winter is a whole other story, he said
Highland Park officials were not available for comment.
Mays said he hopes other communities follow Highland Parks example if the governor enables them to do so.
Its an important public health principle, he said.
Thank you! I have no idea why he has it in for me, but it sure leaves a lot to be desired!
I suggest you not do that.
They don't tolerate ANYONE else's point of view, T. You can't say it, you can't even think it...you have to go away on a free forum...(I think that's a major symptom of addictive behavior).... ;)
I'm just glad they're paying taxes I don't have to...LOL!!!
Don't worry. Soon, something you enjoy will come under attack by the lifestyle Nazis. If you enjoy eating, drinking, moving about freely from place to place, etc., someone will eventually take exception and want to tax and/or regulate that behavior.
I'm just glad you're paying for me until they do!
Thanks!! Keep smokin', y'all!!! I am in FULL support!!!
And when you send FRee mail like you did to one of my friends, then that proves my belief about you.
You need help.
Good bye!
I am reporting #106 as abuse. I have not sent FReepmail to ANYONE today!!!
I hope that wasnt directed towards me, as I look forward to your threads,especially this one since I live in next town over from Highland Park.
Who the he** cares???!!!!
What. got a guilty conscience?!
That was for T. Smith for your information! Get over it.
You are another one that comes in to our Conservative smoking threads and trashes us. Get a life!
No no no! I just pinged you to let you know what I was posting to T.Smith!!
I don't trash you at all!!! Look at my posts!!! I thank you EVER so much for paying taxes so I don't have to!!!
Smoke on!!!
When they start taxing that exorbitantly, I will be growing my own or buying in Mexico.
Do you rejoice whenever you find someone paying a tax that you don't have to, or is it just the smell of tobacco that you hate so?
I rejoice your ingenuity!!!
That's what built the former Land of the Free and Home of the Brave. Quite a few of the founders were smugglers. They have a noble function.
It amazes me that most Americans don't acknowledge that Joseph P. Kennedy made his money bootlegging!
I don't pay taxes for you either, paulat. I roll my own!
RANT ON!
As I've said, I bow to ingenuity!!! The Indian tribes up here have figured it out and are building a multi-million-dollar factory.
Smoke on!!! I am in full support!!!
Well, thank you then. I appreciate it.
Sorry, jack, I roll my own , too. Pay your own damned taxes.:D
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