Un-Happy New Year for Cigar Smokers
Illinois Cigar Smokers Held Hostage
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Day: 5510
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The Smoke Free Illinois Act bans smoking in all public indoor
places as of January 1st 2008
including bars, restaurants, businesses AND PRIVATE CLUBS.
See:
Smoke Free Illinois Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
For all of us Cigar Smokers, this is not good news. These are the remaining
places you can still smoke cigars legally in Illinois:
- At home
- Your vehicle
- A hotel or nursing home room on a
smoking floor
- Outside a public building as long as you are
a minimum distance of 15 feet from entrances, exits, windows
that open or ventilation intakes
- Tobacco stores
The law should have allowed for PRIVATE SMOKE CLUBS that only
accepted and admitted members that approve of smoking.
Instead, the act specifically prohibits smoking in private clubs.
This is ridiculous! Why can't smokers get together - far away from
all the cry babies - and light up a stogie?
Not allowing PRIVATE SMOKE CLUBS goes beyond keeping second hand smoke
away from non-smokers. It's a first step militant anti-smokers
have taken towards banning smoking altogether.
Representative William B. Black
has sponsored
House Bill HB4104
that would allow for Private Smoke Clubs if three fifths of
the members approve. Hopefully, Illinois law makers will
approve this bill.
The only current exemption that is "friendly" to cigar smokers is
tobacco stores and even those have restrictions. If they existed
as tobacco stores prior to 2008, they are grandfathered.
Otherwise, they must be in a standalone building where the
smoke cannot affect other surrounding businesses. Also, the
law prohibits those establishments to have a liquor, food or
restaurant license.
Feb 2008 Update
As of Feb 6 2008, there will be a hearing to discuss
HB4104 by the Environmental Health Committee in Springfield, IL.
Stay tuned for more details.
Additionally, there is at least one other bill under consideration
that would allow smoking in private establishments is passed
See the Bills.
March 2008 Update
As of March 2008, the bill was re-referred to the Rules Committee.