The City Council approved a ban on smoking in nearly all public places Wednesday but gave taverns and bars located inside restaurants until the middle of 2008 to comply.
The measure was approved 45-1 after months of debate and aggressive lobbying on both sides of the issue by groups such as the American Cancer Society and the Illinois Restaurant Association.
The ordinance was a compromise between health advocates who wanted an immediate, all-out ban and businesses that wanted a less stringent measure.
The ban takes effect Jan. 16.
"Stupidity cannot be cured with money, or through education, or by legislation." ~ Robert A. Heinlein (1907 - 1988)
I think it is stupid for the government to ban what a restaurant owner can do in his/her facility. It makes me so angry. If non-smokers don't want to go there, than don't. Let people worry about their own health if noone is forcing any nonsmokers around them. When I get a good job and a nice lump sum of money, I will open a bar for cigar smokers only. no cigarettes, only cigars.
