IL: Smoke ban begins

Daily Herald ^ | 6-3-05 | Sara Faiwell

[SheLion]

Highland Park enacted Lake County’s 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 department’s director of community health services. “Highland Park’s leadership in this regard is an important precedent.”

Health department officials say the action is the most sweeping they’ve seen. That’s 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 Park’s smoking ban is not without opposition.

Richard Holleb, owner of Norton’s 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 what’s to come over time in most cities.

“Personally, I think it’s 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 won’t 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 Park’s example if the governor enables them to do so.

“It’s an important public health principle,” he said.

[Gabz]

You are correct - you have a right to your opinion - you do not have the right to attack other posters.

[muir_redwoods]

you are free to miss the point as often and as widely as you like.

[Gabz]

Just as you are free to miss the point as often as you like.

Good night.

I will check back in the morning...........

[Bernard]

I live in McHenry County and I'm waiting for my village to take this up. Of course, if the village officials were really concerned about health issues, they would ban the SALE of tobacco as well as the use of tobacco, but that would cut into the precious revenue stream and we just can't have that.

[Gabz]

If that is your opinion of her posts, why do you bother reading them or posting to the threads?

You and I have differnt ways of dealing with things, I guess - if I don't like a particular topic, or the person who posts the most threads about the topic, I just avoid them. I don't go on the thread and make a nasty comment about the person who posted the thread.

Have a pleasant evening.

[Garnet Dawn]

"There are many rules/regulations/laws a small business must adhere to - but I've got a problem with them being changed AFTER the business has already established it's clientele. That is EXACTLY what smoking bans do.There are many rules/regulations/laws a small business must adhere to - but I've got a problem with them being changed AFTER the business has already established it's clientele. That is EXACTLY what smoking bans do."

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Right on target!!!

The number of people allowed in a closed space at one time is based on the size of the space, the same as elevators, to avoid people being hurt, trampled or having a floor cave in due to overcrowding. I have personally seen where this law isn't always enforced. Sprinklers make sense, but a lot of places still don't have them. Checking a kitchen to prevent food poisoning and protecting diners from being served rancid food makes sense. Bathrooms are not "designed" by the state, but it does prevent contageous diseases to require a bathroom to have running water and a toilet that flushes. All the licensing, taxing and fees are just a little more greed and control from the government, but they do keep track of legitimate businesses to enforce guidelines against disease and illegal activities. The handicapped modifications are not always observed either, but do have a humane goal. (I just wish there weren't so many rude handicapped people who expect everyone else to jump out of their way and use their wheelchairs like battering rams on the unsuspecting.)

At any rate, many restaurant regulations do make sense. Smoking bans do not. If you don't like smoke, go somewhere else! Non-smoking restaurants were already in the majority in Highland Park, but the Antis just couldn't stand not having complete control.

[T.Smith]

We have a history. She's been none too polite, unprovoked, more than once.

Take care.

[Raycpa]

Rolling rolling rolling.

Smokers are in desperate need of a major makeover. Queer eye for the fag guy.

[Garnet Dawn]

That is my opinion of her posts. She beats the same dead horse over and over and over... She is also inclined to ridiculous posting strategies that include rainbow colors, obnoxious .gifs and huge fonts. In short, her posts are rambling and incoherent. That is not an attack, it's an opinion. I came to the thread to state that opinion. I'm sorry you don't like it.

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Seems like you follow SheLion's threads faithfully. She must be doing something right, even in your eyes!

Of course she keeps beating on the same subject. It is one of the most important subjects any of us can choose. She is trying to protect our Freedom of Choice, which is what the Antis want to eliminate....that, and keeping the smokers' money rolling in to pad their payrolls and promote more grants so that they can keep raking in their fat paychecks.

There are too many people who just don't care. SheLion does. I personally like her .gifs and .jpgs. They break up the monotony...and they say something. Ever heard "A picture is worth a thousand words"? Colors, cartoons and comic strips have been around for a long time...See you've been missing something!

Maybe you should find something more constructive to do with your time, rather than criticizing people who have strong beliefs. You must be a sad person because you give the impression that you completely lack creativity and a sense of humor.

Smokers Rights Advocates are going to keep harping on the same subjects until anti-smokers give up. Get used to it if you are going to follow the topics on this forum. Be glad! Maybe we will keep the Anti Nazis so busy, they will leave you alone and not try to take away any more of YOUR basic rights to choice!!!

[Garnet Dawn]

Hi Bernard, Take a look at IL Smokers Rights at http://www.illinoissmokersrights.com/. You will see we are trying to fight back, but we need more people. We have collected a lot of useful information.

It can't happen in McHenry, unless the Governor signs the "Illinois Clean Air Act - Home Rule". On the site, click on the link for the Illinois Smokers Group and consider joining. You will be very welcome on the forum!!

[The Foolkiller]

Oh boy! Another incoherent smoking thread brought to us by SheLion!

3 posted on 06/03/2005 2:46:00 PM PDT by T.Smith

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It's another thread no one's forcing you to read.

[The Foolkiller]

The state mandates sprinklers, handicapped access, restroom design, inspects the kitchen, verifies the content of the menu, licenses the liquor and beer sales, regulates how many customers can be in the restaurant at one time, regulates the hours it can be open and what it can serve at what hour, assesses the wait-staff a presumed tips-income and helps design the parking lot.

Now, what was your concern?

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The state having the right to tell them who their customers can be. And you forgot the part where the state taxes them up the ass.

[justkillingtime]

As will I !!!!

[The Foolkiller]

I have as much right to an opinion as you, even if you don't like my opinions.

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Or, then again, maybe she just doesn't like YOU. I don't, either. ;)

[justkillingtime]

well ...now we have a history...when I see you dis-respecting people...I will report you..and i will be watching!!!

[SheLion]

The state mandates sprinklers, handicapped access, restroom design, inspects the kitchen, verifies the content of the menu, licenses the liquor and beer sales, regulates how many customers can be in the restaurant at one time, regulates the hours it can be open and what it can serve at what hour, assesses the wait-staff a presumed tips-income and helps design the parking lot.

The State has many more laws then that.  We don't need any more in regards to the restaurant you own.  Next they'll be telling you that you can not allow cellphones because they bother a few people, or babies because smoke from your pizza oven will kill them, or people wearing cologne because someone might be allergic.  Where do you suggest "they" stop running your business and leave it up to your common sense to know what you want in your building AND let the public decide where they want to go and how they want to spend their money?

Consumers will dictate the market if you let them

You put up a no scent sign and then you decide if you want to leave it up or not.

[SheLion]

Bull. As I heard someone say recently, having a smoking section in a restaurant makes as much sense as having a peeing section in a pool.

Well, how often do they CHANGE that water in a pool?  Restaurants with big smoke eaters are constantly changing the air.

So this ridiculous analogy doesn't fly.

[SheLion]

Rolling rolling rolling.

Smokers are in desperate need of a major makeover. Queer eye for the fag guy.

Talk about coming into a thread and bashing us!  Take a look at THIS jerk! I wonder if he has many friends.

He sure doesn't in HERE!

Rolling rolling rolling.

Smokers are in desperate need of a major makeover. Queer eye for the fag guy.

Talk about coming into a thread and bashing us!  Take a look at THIS jerk! I wonder if he has many friends.

He sure doesn't in HERE!

[SheLion]

Smokers are in desperate need of a major makeover. Queer eye for the fag guy.

You posted this at 11:04 pm.  Got a little something "under the belt?"  LOL!