(IL) Lawmakers send smoking ban to governor's desk

[Khaotic]

Source: Associated Press

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) May 1, 5:12 PM EDT -- Get ready to snuff out those cigarettes. Illinois lawmakers have voted to ban smoking in bars, restaurants and other public workplaces.

The legislation passed the House 73-42 Tuesday and now goes to Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who supports the ban "enthusiastically." If he signs the measure, the smoking restrictions would take effect Jan. 1 and make Illinois the 19th state the country to impose such a ban.

Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/I/IL_XGR_SMOKING_BAN_ILOL-?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2007-05-01-17-12-28

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I can't wait till Iowa governor (Chet Culver, Democrat) follows suit. - Davenport resident

[Jesterstear]

1. Can't wait?

Here I thought that liberals were about protecting rights, not trampling on them.

[Critters2]

2. Not the right to pollute the air.

I think you've confused us with Libertarians.

[Jesterstear]

7. What about the right of the business owner?

The business owner is the one that should be deciding what goes on in his or her business. If this were anything else, liberals would be screaming bloody murder, but smoking is one of their little pet peeves. Of course it couldn't be because the tobacco lobby gives money to the Republicans now, could it?

If there's enough demand for a smoke-free establishment, let someone open one up. If someone doesn't like it that a bar allows people to smoke, DON'T GO THERE.

[StarryNite]

8. How about the rights

of nonsmokers, including children, to not have to inhale toxins from smokers?

[Jesterstear]

9. WHAT ABOUT THE CHILDREN??? (insert handwringing)

Well thank you! Liberals always bitch about the "what about the children" line when Repubs use it to try and ban things, but here you are hauling it out when it serves your purpose. You're pretty much proving my point for me.

I don't know of many children that go into bars. I don't know of many people that are forced to go into any restaurant or bar against their will. If the market is there for a smoke-free facility, then one will open up. If I, as a business owner, want to open a bar, I should be the one to decide if smoking will be allowed or not. Big Brother should not be the one dictating that to me.

I wish Dems would take their blinders off and realize that they're acting just like Republicans do, but I know it'll never happen. It's that whole "holier than thou" attitude in politics where it's bad if one side does it, but it's OK if you do it.

[Umbram]

11. Liberals

I think there is a fairly wide range of opinions on this and many other issues here. When you suggest what "Liberals always" complain about, you are doing so either to reinforce your own negative stereotype about liberals or to suggest that there is a cohesiveness of thought on this particular issue.

There was a thread here a few months back about a smoking ban in Bangor, Maine, if I recall correctly, that had people arguing all sides of it. The same goes for threads on abortion, the death penalty, etc.

I imagine if you simply argued policy (without feeling the need to tell those that disagree with you that they have a "holier than thou" attitude") you might find plenty of liberals agreeing with you.

[StarryNite]

14. Get off your high horse

The only thing your concerned about is you! I remember when people used to smoke everywhere. I had to smell that crap even in grocery stores. I remember seeing ashes on food products and cigarette butts on the floor. I'm sure when smoking in grocery stores was first being banned smokers were up in arms about that too. Funny, there are still grocery stores in spite of the fact that you can't smoke in them.

[Withywindle]

16. If the children are in bars, I think there's another problem at work...n/t

[StarryNite]

17. It doesn't say just bars...

"voted to ban smoking in bars, restaurants and other public workplaces."

Sometimes it helps if you read the whole thing. ;)

[Withywindle]

19. Well, I don't have a problem with banning it in restaurants or most

"other public workplaces."

I just think there should still be places where smokers can go and be smokers. (And that includes people who work as bartenders etc. who WANT to be able to smoke on the job--I've never met a bartender who didn't smoke!)

[laylah]

3. I agree with not polluting the air...

I always present myself as a "polite dirty smoker" asking if my lighting up is okay with the person next to me. If the answer is no, then I won't. That said, I call BS on the no smoking in bars! That is not right! There are numerous no smoking bars in the area where patrons, and workers, can choose to go. Once again, Blago reminds me why I do not like him and the legislators here in this state can kiss my smoking butt too!

I have NO problem with non-smoking restaurants or work places but bars? No! Not right! :mad:

[DemKR]

4. Wonderful news!!! n/t

[rosesaylavee]

5. One of our local mayors

who is know for his liberal leanings in this red part of the state, was opposed to a local smoking ban as he didn't feel it was his right to decide the smoking issue for local merchants.

I haven't smoked in 20 years. I agree that this is a local merchant matter. If the smoke gets to you, don't frequent that bar or restaurant. Most places have designated smoking places for smokers - why can't that stay that way?

[Scout1071]

6. I was in Chicago in March and I was gagged out of a few bars.

And I am a social smoker! I was so grossed out. I left my clothes in the laundry room. If I could have, I would have taken a shower before bed.

Now, having said that, they need to work something out in Chicago because it is just too damn cold to smoke outside for a lot of the year.

[kysrsoze]

10. Yeah, it can get pretty bad here in some of the bars. People like their smoke

We just quit smoking (finally). I fully agree with the ban in restaurants. Even though I think it's better overall for peoples' health, I don't know that I agree with banning smoking in bars. I made my choice to smoke for as long as I did, so I'd feel like a hypocite by saying, "OK all you other people can't smoke anymore either." If you're going to a bar, I kind of think you should deal with it or find a bar that doesn't allow smoking. There are plenty of non-smoking bars and lounges popping up in the city.

[davsand]

12. I'm not too thrilled with this one.

Understand, I am an ex smoker--so I'm not exactly a fan of the tobacco companies. I am not speaking from the position of anybody with a vested personal interest in the issue (like I would be if I was still smoking.)

I honestly think this is a bad plan simply because it erodes business owners' rights. I "get" the fact that smoking is bad for your health. I "GET" the argument that second hand smoke is a problem. I also understand quite well that Illinois is a state that is viewed as "unfriendly" to business as a whole. THAT will make my individual taxes go up when I'm paying local taxes and state taxes that some business is not paying because they either closed up shop or moved out of Illinois. My taxes will also go up when employers close up and more services are needed for people who are no longer working.

In the wake of the recent discussion here in Illinois about using corporate taxes to fund universal health care, I am of the opinion that we are politically pretty much screwed as far as attracting new business here in Illinois. As long as the Dems control the state House and Senate (if this anti smoking bill gets signed) there is going to continue to be a perception that Illinois doesn't CARE about fundamental rights of property ownership like HOW you use your property. Good luck with economic development with THAT kind of image...

My opinion on this is that the marketplace dictates this kind of stuff. If you want to go home from the clubs without smelling like an astray then go to clubs that don't allow smoking. If you want to go out and eat and not have to be exposed to smoke then GO to restaurants that don't allow smoking. If enough people feel that way we'll see more non-smoking places available. NOBODY is draggin' you into these places right now, and nobody is chaining you to a chair keeping you there if somebody lights up.

I honestly think there is a very real hypocrisy about smoking at work here. We want to outlaw it in private business based on the argument that smoking is bad for you and second hand smoke is deadly--but yet we still don't have laws on the books to prohibit smoking in CARS with kids riding in them, and we still allow the sale of tobacco products. Could there be a tax incentive at work here to keep smokers shopping here in Illinois? Yep, sure there is. If everyone is serious about the threat of smoking to public health maybe we need to take these measures before we mess with the property ownership rights of people who are trying to run a business.

Sorry, I'm abandoning ship on the Dem party line on this one.



Laura

[ItNerd4life]

13. Sadly, it's not just republicans trampling on people's rights.

Some misguided Democrats do the same thing. This bill sickens me, let the marketplace sort these things out.

Next we're going to ban loud music in bars because it can destroy your hearing.

Can't think of anything else we should ban because it can cause harm to other people, but it's a scary trend.

[Withywindle]

15. Sigh. I suppose it was inevitable.

The argument about losing business IS true--a lot of bars will lose mine when this goes into effect. (Cheaper to have friends over at home anyway.) Not the ones with live music, since the music is the reason I go to those, and not the trendy meat markets because I don't go to those anyway--just the comfy old-man corner taverns that used to be such relaxing places to hang out. A lot of those WILL go out of business; their clientele is mostly working-class, older folks who SMOKE. (So are their owners and employees!) Another part of real Chicago culture gone.

[StarryNite]

18. You might be surprised.

[Withywindle]

20. at what?

I mean, sure, everyday I get surprised by SOMETHING, but...that's awfully vague of you.

[Pastiche423]

21. And so might you

[StarryNite]

22. I think it's different

if some establishments allow smoking and others don't have it. But when it is banned in all the bars, restaurants, and work places then they are all on level ground. The smokers still have the option of staying home to eat, drink, and smoke. A state wide smoking ban just went into effect on May first here in Arizona. It was put to a vote and the ban passed last fall. Now some places that I quit going to do to the smoke will be getting my business once again. I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels that way. What is it, something like 80% of adults are nonsmokers now? I actually don't think that's accurate. I think there is a higher percentage of smokers than 20% but smokers are now in the minority.