Smoking Ban in Illinois

@wathanjim (2214)
United States
July 23, 2007 10:36pm CST
ILLINOIS GOES SMOKE FREE (07/24/07)ap Public places in Illinois will soon be forced to go smoke-free. Yesterday, Governor Rod Blagojevich signed the Smoke-Free Illinois Act, which will ban smoking statewide in all public places, including bars, restaurants and work places. The ban goes into effect January 1st and trumps most local ordinances, including those that allowed smoking bans to be phased in or exempted businesses with air filtration systems. Under the law, people will still be allowed to smoke in their homes, cars, outdoors, at retail tobacco shops and in certain hotel or motel rooms. Smokers who violate the law could be fined between $100 and $250. And businesses who repeatedly violate the law could be fined at least $2,500. What do You think?Does government have the right?Will this effect business?Will this effect You?What is next?
1 person likes this
1 response
sid556
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
24 Jul 07
I'm not sure if I agree that it is the governments place to enforce such a law but I do agree that someone needs to enforce it. No one should have to breath in someone elses smoke.
1 person likes this
wathanjim
@wathanjim (2214)
• United States
24 Jul 07
Ok I will agree on that.That is why there are smoking and non smoking areas in a lot of restaurants and bars.If they want to stipulate that they need to be in separate rooms with ventilation systems so be it.But we need to look at the rights of both sides smoking and non smoking.I feel a lot of small bars are going to loose a lot of business or have to pay fines they cant afford.