Smoking ban OKd by Chicago City Council

[greatauntoftriplets]

Smoking ban OKd by Chicago City Council

By Gary Washburn
Tribune staff reporter
Published December 7, 2005, 12:36 PM CST


The Chicago City Council today approved an ordinance that bans smoking in virtually all public places in the city, but gives restaurant bars and taverns 2 ½ years to come into compliance.

Aldermen voted 46-1 in favor of the compromise that emerged from the council's Finance Committee this morning, minutes before the start of the regular council meeting at City Hall.

The sole "no" vote was cast by Ald. Brian Doherty (41st), whose Northwest Side ward adjoins suburbs where smoking in bars is permitted. Doherty has predicted businesses in his area will suffer as smoking patrons go outside the city limits.

The favorable council vote had been expected, as Mayor Richard Daley on Tuesday said he had no problem with the compromise.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-051206smokebanpass,0,1946655.story?coll=chi-newsbreaking-hed


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[LisaM]

1. The Washington state ban goes into effect tomorrow

Unfortunately, it's draconian regarding outside smoking so may not stand up.

One radio station announced that it began yesterday (untrue!) and I went out after work and the bar seemed to have gone non-smoking already. I voted against the ban, but I have to say, the bar was quite pleasant smoke-free.

[flamingyouth]

2. The 25 ft. rule will be impossible to enforce

But I agree with you, it will be nice to go out to smoke-free bars. :)

[JokingClown]

3. wait this ban refers to outside smoking???

[freeplessinseattle]

4. yep. harshest in the nation

in Seattle of all places. no smoking within 25 feet of any doorway, window, ventilators, etc, probably can't smoke walking down the street either if any cars are within 25 feet. wonder if they'll ticket people smoking in their cars with the windows down?

[flamingyouth]

6. In Washington, you can't smoke within 25 feet of a doorway

Like I said, it will be impossible to enforce.

[saigon68]

5. people still SMOKE CRACK ?

ISN'T THERE A LAW ABOUT THAT?

[Toots]

7. My home town did the same thing a couple of years ago

One fellow that owns a restaurant which most laborers frequent thought the new law would devestate his business so he decided to do something about it. He turned a storage room he had into a perfect copy of the main restaurant and called it his private club and charged members one dollar a year. If the place is private and not open to general public the ban does not apply. Remodeling the spare room cost him about fourteen thousand dollars and the damnedest thing is nobody uses it. Even the smokers feel more comfortable in the regular restaurant without smoking then to be in another room off by themselves. Funny how things work out sometimes. By the way the fellows business has boomed....