Chicago Smoking Ban - Follow-up
On December 7th, 2005 the Chicago City Council passed an anti-smoking ordinance. Starting on Jan 16th, 2006 smoking will be prohibited in most public places, from Chicago Transit Authority train platforms to condominium lobbies and hallways. Restaurants that don't have bars must close their smoking sections. Smokers will be required to stay at least 15 feet from the entrance of any building where smoking is prohibited, that's practically every public building in the city.
Smoking will still be allowed in bars and restaurants with bars until July 1, 2008. This is to give owners a chance to filter the air to an acceptable level. But, it is said, that there does not exit a technology that will clean the air to the required purity to satisfy this law. So in effect in two and a half years all bars will also be smoke free.
For individuals who violate the law, the fine can be up to $100; for business violators, the maximum fine can be $2,500.
Individual rights are getting to be like the Marlboro man, slowly riding off into the sunset.
posted by George Lunt @ 3:03 PM
10 comments
10 Comments:
Sheesh, I can never understand why you think your rights are any more valuable than the people you contaminate with your dirty discusting habit!
Before they had NO SMOKING in public places in my state I had to BURN MY CLOTHES every night when I returned and stunk just like you do!
Screw you and your dirty filthy discusting habit that does nothing for you except give you a dick to hold in your hand all the time while polluting the air for those that don't want it.
Where do these dopes come from?
I like going to resteraunts and being able to breathe the air...
I used to live in a small town that had a great little bar where many of my friends went to hang out, shoot some pool, have a brew; heck some community center committee meetings were held there, too. Was a warm inviting place to hang, except for the cigarette smoke.
Personally, it's up to you if you want to kill yourself with your gross addiction, but I would like to be able to go to a bar without getting a severe headache, chest pains, and really stinky clothes and hair.
All of which I get after spending only 15 minutes in a smoke-filled bar.
A similar ban was passed in South Africa some years ago. At first there was definite uproar among the smoking population, however as time passed and most establishments constructed their smoking sections, non-smoking patrons became happier and smoking patrons didn't have to deal with the death stares of the general public ;-) .
What most non-smokers and even smokers don't understand is that, for smokers, it isn't a choice.
If you've never smoked, it isn't testimony to your ability to resist. You simply aren't a smoker. You're genetically a non-smoker.
I agree that smoke is irritable to non-smokers and many smokers as well. However, blaming smokers for polluting the air is irrational. You absorb as many, if not more, pollutants simply living in cities like Mumbai (Bombay) and several more aross the globe.
Having said that, strictures on smoking are useful. Being forbidden to smoke in certain areas, I, a smoker, begin the arduous journey to rid myself of this demonstrably dangerous habit.
But please, do not imply that I blow smoke in your face. I don't. Most smokers don't. The ones who do perhaps have a personal problem with the recipient of the "smoke-in-your-face".
Deepak
anonymous, what I can't understand is why your rights are any more valuable than his. Or mine. Or anyone else's. The neo-Puritans have won. Enjoy your smug, superior attitude.
yea we cant smoke on the beach here but have you seen our smog? lmao man freaking aholes.
I could care less about your rights to smoke, which you can still do outdoors or in the privacy of your own home where you won't be a menance to me or anyone else. And the Marlboto Man didn't ride off into the sunset, he died of lung cancer, which is where you are heading if you don't quit.
Smokers have a right to smoke, that's for sure. Places like the airport have those smoking rooms so that it creates a nice gas-chamber effect. Probably kills you four times faster.
Nicotine is second to caffine as far as the number of people addicted to it. Caffine side effects include high blood pressure and headaches. Nicotine kills and makes others around you ill.
I do wish there was a way for people who do smoke to continue to smoke when they go out...but there is just too many other non-smokers that get sick from that stuff, especially asthmatics.
It's a major issue here in St. Louis, and I'm sure it will be in major cities across the country.
Okay, the one who should make the choice about whether a restaurant allows smoking or not is the OWNER, who OWNS the place! It is his or her PRIVATE PROPERTY! If the restaurant owner wants to allow smoking, it's no one's business! If the government can dictate to you how to run your business, then it's a waste of time to try to own one, since most people start businesses because they want to be their own boss!
Well, here in Chicago, there are many places where you can still enjoy food and a smoke, despite the new smoking ban! Many bars serve great food- and you can smoke in bars! Also, any restaurant with a bar area can allow smoking within 15 feet of the bar as well. Also, there are many nearby suburbs that allow smoking. I've made a website to help us all record and review our favorite Chicago restaurants and bars where we can smoke and enjoy good food! Check it out!
http://smokefriendlychicagoeats.ning.com
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