THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEEK OF FEBRUARY 11, 2007
Smoke Draws A Crowd
Village Weighs Pros, Cons Of Possible Ban
By ANDREA ZELINSKI
Journal Reporter
Over 100 crowded into Glenview's Village Hall for what would be a long, personal discussion between constituents about imposing a local smoking ban.
About 30 residents, business owners and advocates on both sides of the smoking debate relayed their thoughts, opinions and experiences to the Glenview Village Board of trustees in hopes their words wouldn't fall upon deaf ears.
Joe Barrett of the Glenview Chamber of Commerce told board members the chamber would not take a stance on the issue.
Other speakers ranged from local residents, neighboring patrons, doctors and business owners.
"Do not let Glenview be the ash tray of the North Shore," said resident Ellen Brow.
The smoking ban debate comes after Cook County adopted the Cook County Clean Indoor Air Ordinance, which prohibits smoking in most enclosed public places, like bars, taverns and restaurants. The list also includes places like arcades, bowling alleys, and performance spaces.
Cook County gave all local municipalities until Mar. 15, 2007 to establish their own, custom-made ordinance. If the board does not enact its own ordinance or adopt the Illinois Clean Indoor Air Act, which will maintain the status quo, the village will adopt the county's ban by default.
The smoking ban workshop was held Thursday evening, Feb. 8, at Village Hall.
Many members of the audience wore round stickers at the workshop, reading "everyone deserves smoke-free indoor air."
Pro-smoking ban speakers argued that restaurant patrons aren't the only people that suffer from second hand smoke. They noted that business employees who might have to work in the environment for eight hours a day suffer too.
Garnet Dawn Scheuer, a representative from the Heartland Group representing smokers rights, said the health threats of second hand smoking have been exaggerated. When Scheuer stopped to take a breath and a sip of water during her speech, the group quietly chuckled. One woman whispered "she smokes too much."
Meanwhile, some business owners argue that their smoking customers will take their business else where.
Tom Hanson, new owner of Brother's Tavern said he hasn't been around long enough to survive that drop in business.
The workshop never turned emotional or snippy, but rather a consistent plead with the village board to keep all options considered when deciding on a possible smoking ban.
Of the members on the board, only one of them have been regular smokers. Trustee Philip O'C. White said he used to smoke but quit cigarettes in 1962 and cigars in 1992. Both trustees James Patterson and Paul Detlefs said they smoke an occasional cigar. Trustee Kimbal Woodrow was absent from the workshop.
The board didn't take any votes at the workshop but plans to discuss its options at the Feb. 20 board meeting. The board may decide to vote at that meeting or push the decision back to its Mar. 6 session.