Posted on 06/03/2005 2:41:36 PM PDT by 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.
I have been using .gifs and .jpg's in FR since 2001. (Maybe T.Smith doesn't know how. LOL!)
Many many people in FR use images and pictures. For instance:
68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; who is an icon of Free Republic.
Tom Guy
Just Amy
He follows the smoking threads so he can bash me. heh!
He wrote that after 2am. Me thinks he's another one that has had one too many. These anti's post late only after they get their nerve from a bottle.
Yes! We as decent Conservatives don't LIKE you. So go away! Go back to the DU boards where people of like mind will welcome you!
That's correct. And Dave, I am so sorry I left you off the list, but I just gave a few. I would have had a post a mile long if I named all of you that post images.
What a jerk he is! Blaming ME for posting .gif's and .jpg's. LOL
I guess he doesn't visit the other threads much, right? haha!
So you think "I" am the only that post images, eh!
Check it out!
Amy's Place .. Poetry and Potpourri
And this is just from one THREAD!
You aren't too smart when it comes to FRee Republic, are you!
If you hate my threads so much STAY THE HELL OUT!
And my threads are "incoherent?" For your information, I do not write the articles. I just post them. So if you think they are incoherent, try writing to the author!
I always post the actual article so you can go there and obtain the author's email addy!
Talking to T Smith is like talking to the proverbial brick wall.
Oh I know it! But he gets his digs in, so I have to get my digs in too.
For the lurkers, you know. 
Truth isn't bashing. Smokers are losing these battles left and right. Until you realize that you need a total image change, you are not ever going to turn this tide. Ignore this at your peril and continue to think that the insane response to date will be effective.
What kind of image change do we smokers need?
Jusr curious.
Observe pipe and cigar smokers.
We have plenty of wins across the United States. Plus, the postal service refuses to ban boxes to tobacco products to online orders.
Like Mears ask: just what kind of make over do we NEED?
You sure are one piece of work.
I guess he isn't interested in the war on terror threads. I am there a LOT and I never see him. If I did, he would probably bash me too. But I don't think THAT crown would put up with him for very long.
I DO have other interests beside the smoking threads. I sure wish HE did! ugh!
I'm not typing or spelling very good. hehe I am in a hurry to get back outside. I am finally able to plant my flowers. The whole month of May was so cold and rain every day!
I'm working on a new image. I used to be polite. Now I project the image that if I'm crazy enough to roll up a bunch of dried leaves, stick 'em in my face and set 'em on fire, everybody should probably consider not messing with me.
Hehe! THAT'S telling him!!!
Sometimes I wonder why I bother. No hope for reasonableness from that quarter.
I'm working on a counter-demonstration for the next Great American Smokeout, I'm so tired of this.
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