2008 Woodie Awards
Up in smoke
Smoking ban to influence area venues
Angie Thomas
Issue date: 8/23/07 Section: News
During the summer, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich signed a bill that puts an end to smoking in public places. Beginning Jan. 1, 2008, smoking is banned in all bars, restaurants and other public workplaces. This controversial bill has some people, including non-smokers, fired up.
Talbert Eisenberg is one of the owners of Cleo's Bar and Grill in downtown Edwardsville. Eisenberg is unhappy about the policy.
"It's going to (hurt) the bar business," Eisenberg said. "Go down the bar and see how many people are smoking, it's nearly 80 percent. This is going to screw everyone over."
Eisenberg said the new policy means people will have to smoke at least 25 feet away from the front door of any place where the general public can gather. Violators of these new rules can be fined upward of $100.
"There used to be about 200 local owned bars in the Madison County area, now it's down to 100," Eisenberg said. "This policy isn't helping anyone. It is the kiss of death."
Eisenberg also feels that the customers who do not come in because smoking is allowed is relative to those who come in because they can smoke. In the end, he says he prefers to have the smokers patronize his place.
"The only good thing about this policy is that everyone gets screwed equally," Eisenberg said. "No one gets a pass on this one. Casinos, private clubs, everyone has to follow the rules."
Mike Georges, a patron at a local bar, thinks the change will be bad for a small town like Edwardsville.
"It won't matter so much in a big city," Georges said, "but smaller places that have been here a while will go out of business."
Georges, who is a non-smoker, believes it is a person's right to decide not to patronize a place that allows smoking if it bothers them, but it is ultimately up to the individual.
"It's like going to a swimming pool and not being able to swim," Georges said. "People know what they are getting into when they go to bars."
Talbert Eisenberg is one of the owners of Cleo's Bar and Grill in downtown Edwardsville. Eisenberg is unhappy about the policy.
"It's going to (hurt) the bar business," Eisenberg said. "Go down the bar and see how many people are smoking, it's nearly 80 percent. This is going to screw everyone over."
Eisenberg said the new policy means people will have to smoke at least 25 feet away from the front door of any place where the general public can gather. Violators of these new rules can be fined upward of $100.
"There used to be about 200 local owned bars in the Madison County area, now it's down to 100," Eisenberg said. "This policy isn't helping anyone. It is the kiss of death."
Eisenberg also feels that the customers who do not come in because smoking is allowed is relative to those who come in because they can smoke. In the end, he says he prefers to have the smokers patronize his place.
"The only good thing about this policy is that everyone gets screwed equally," Eisenberg said. "No one gets a pass on this one. Casinos, private clubs, everyone has to follow the rules."
Mike Georges, a patron at a local bar, thinks the change will be bad for a small town like Edwardsville.
"It won't matter so much in a big city," Georges said, "but smaller places that have been here a while will go out of business."
Georges, who is a non-smoker, believes it is a person's right to decide not to patronize a place that allows smoking if it bothers them, but it is ultimately up to the individual.
"It's like going to a swimming pool and not being able to swim," Georges said. "People know what they are getting into when they go to bars."
Viewing Comments 1 - 7 of 7
irishmobster21
Jamez
posted 8/23/07 @ 12:57 PM CST
What's next? State-wide ban on cheeseburgers?
Stella
posted 8/23/07 @ 2:09 PM CST
It is about time that Illinois steps up to the plate to ban smoking in public places.
Health care costs for smokers is higher than non-smokers.
Second hand smoking causes asthma, cancer, heart disease to name a few. (Continued…)
Ben Chandler
posted 8/23/07 @ 7:29 PM CST
Firstly, let me mention that the new rule states 15 feet, not 25.
Among places accessible to the general public, the only exemption is tobacco shops, where the principal goods are anything tobacco related (I think it's 80%+ of sales have to be tobacco related). (Continued…)
BenC
Ben Chandler
posted 8/23/07 @ 7:31 PM CST
Firstly, let me mention that the new rule states 15 feet, not 25.
Among places accessible to the general public, the only exemption is tobacco shops, where the principal goods are anything tobacco related (I think it's 80%+ of sales have to be tobacco related). (Continued…)
BenC
Ben Chandler
posted 8/23/07 @ 7:31 PM CST
Whoops...sorry for the double post.
Pam
posted 8/24/07 @ 2:35 PM CST
In Response to Stella's comment...
Stella, before you get out your pomp poms, let me inform you that the same congressmen and governor that you wish to cheer on, voted down two months prior to the smoking ban, a protection for 0 to 12 year olds, who ride in the cars of smokers. (Continued…)
pdonahu
Pam
posted 8/24/07 @ 2:59 PM CST
Pomp poms? Sorry, spell check unexpectedly changed my word.,,although, it fits, (showiness, pageantry, spectacle, etc.)
Maybe there really is a ghost in the "Spell Check" Machine
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