Illinois just passed the "Illinois Clean Air Act - Home Rule" amendment in August of 2005. It went into effect as of January 2006. That meant Illinois gave up its preemption from the 1989 Clean Indoor Act, whereby the state had the final word and no local law could be stronger, to allow every one of the 1200 municipalities in Illinois to pass their own smoking ban ordinances.
The original Indoor Clean Air Act banned smoking in public buildings where the public could be required to enter. This past summer two more Illinois amendments were passed by our General Assembly to allow counties to enact smoking bans in unincorporated areas and to ban smoking in college dormitories. Twenty-some cities. villages and Cook County have passed smoking ban ordinances, in various forms, to eliminate smoking in privately owned hospitality businesses. Now, those municipalities that have caved in to bans are screaming "foul" and want a state-wide ban to "level the economic playing field".
Obviously, the Home Rule amendment was just a stepping stone for the tobacco control industry.....as has been repeatedly illustrated in other states. The IL Home Rule Act has been in effect for less than a year....seems kind of fishy to already have smoke free activists demanding to change it again. Of course, this is the way tobacco control interests operate. Local bans first, then a more draconian state-wide ban. The Illinois State Assembly proposed both house and senate bills last session. The House passed theirs, but the Senate did not. So, the two could not resolve any differences. The senate's proposed bill was also less restrictive.
This senate hearing is to determine the demand for a state-wide ban. Though it is being held in Chicago, prior to the reconvening of the Illinois General Assembly, this hearing is very important. That is why She-Lion posted my Action Alert.....so that members of this forum would be informed.
The ACS, AHA, ALA, CDC, IL Dept of Health, high school kids and other Anti-Smoking activists will be testifying, in addition to representatives from the ILBA and IRA. Illinois Smokers Rights and Forces Illinois will also be represented by Jim Blogg and me, along with the Illinois Riverboat interests, Restaurant Associations and Bowling Associations. This upcoming meeting at 100 West Washington Street, Rm 16-503 is not a joke. The Senate wants our input and Illinois residents should not fail to take advantage of being represented when we have the opportunity! The speakers have been selected by invitation and are to keep their talks to approximately five minutes each.
The ACS has already tried to influence the upcoming hearing by calling it a Smoke Free Public Hearing in their newsletter and begging antis to pack the room. Pro-choice advocates, smokers and non-smokers alike, need to attend also. It's your choice, if you care one way or the other.
______________________________
Garnet Dawn - The Smoker's Club, Inc. - Midwest Regional Director
The United Pro Choice Smokers Rights Newsletter - http://www.smokersclubinc.com
Illinois Smokers Rights - http://www.illinoissmokersrights.com/
Respect Freedom of Choice!
Illinois just passed the "Illinois Clean Air Act - Home Rule" amendment in August of 2005. It went into effect as of January 2006. That meant Illinois gave up its preemption from the 1989 Clean Indoor Act, whereby the state had the final word and no local law could be stronger, to allow every one of the 1200 municipalities in Illinois to pass their own smoking ban ordinances.
The original Indoor Clean Air Act banned smoking in public buildings where the public could be required to enter. This past summer two more Illinois amendments were passed by our General Assembly to allow counties to enact smoking bans in unincorporated areas and to ban smoking in college dormitories. Twenty-some cities. villages and Cook County have passed smoking ban ordinances, in various forms, to eliminate smoking in privately owned hospitality businesses. Now, those municipalities that have caved in to bans are screaming "foul" and want a state-wide ban to "level the economic playing field".
Obviously, the Home Rule amendment was just a stepping stone for the tobacco control industry.....as has been repeatedly illustrated in other states. The IL Home Rule Act has been in effect for less than a year....seems kind of fishy to already have smoke free activists demanding to change it again. Of course, this is the way tobacco control interests operate. Local bans first, then a more draconian state-wide ban. The Illinois State Assembly proposed both house and senate bills last session. The House passed theirs, but the Senate did not. So, the two could not resolve any differences. The senate's proposed bill was also less restrictive.
This senate hearing is to determine the demand for a state-wide ban. Though it is being held in Chicago, prior to the reconvening of the Illinois General Assembly, this hearing is very important. That is why She-Lion posted my Action Alert.....so that members of this forum would be informed.
The ACS, AHA, ALA, CDC, IL Dept of Health, high school kids and other Anti-Smoking activists will be testifying, in addition to representatives from the ILBA and IRA. Illinois Smokers Rights and Forces Illinois will also be represented by Jim Blogg and me, along with the Illinois Riverboat interests, Restaurant Associations and Bowling Associations. This upcoming meeting at 100 West Washington Street, Rm 16-503 is not a joke. The Senate wants our input and Illinois residents should not fail to take advantage of being represented when we have the opportunity! The speakers have been selected by invitation and are to keep their talks to approximately five minutes each.
The ACS has already tried to influence the upcoming hearing by calling it a Smoke Free Public Hearing in their newsletter and begging antis to pack the room. Pro-choice advocates, smokers and non-smokers alike, need to attend also. It's your choice, if you care one way or the other.
______________________________
Garnet Dawn - The Smoker's Club, Inc. - Midwest Regional Director
The United Pro Choice Smokers Rights Newsletter - http://www.smokersclubinc.com
Illinois Smokers Rights - http://www.illinoissmokersrights.com/
Respect Freedom of Choice!
Health watchdogs are to collect the smoking devices from eating and drinking places under a sweeping purge of tobacco products signed into law by the president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
snip
The government is setting up enforcement measures in a broad package that also bans smoking in all public buildings and workplaces and on public transport, and outlaws selling cigarettes to under-18s. People found smoking at work face being docked a month's salary.All advertising and publicity promoting tobacco is to be outlawed. Police will be empowered to fine offenders up to £30 or issue a court summons.The government says that 50,000 Iranians die each year from tobacco related illnesses.
http://www.iranfocus.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=8988
Totalitarian Fascism is alive and well not only in Iran but in Illinois,
Good luck, I'm not a smoker but these people go to far.