I-Smoke: Illinois Smoking Ban Lifted?
by The Illinois Smoking Ban effective into law as of January 1, 2008 has left many "butt-lovers" without a place to light up. Illinois is attempting to lift the strict smoking ban.
Two new smoking bills, which are designed to allow smoking in some (realistic) public places in Illinois, have been passed through the Illinois House of Representatives and are currently in the Illinois Senate (As of April 2011)!
The original Illinois smoking ban (Smoke Free Illinois) went into effect in January 2008. In February 2009, the following sections were amended: Sections 10, 15, 35, 40, 45, 50 and 60. The amendments did not offer relief of restrictions, however, and are not necessarily worth looking at– if you must, here is the amended law.
It is no secret that smoking is a degenerative habit. Americans had known this fact for decades–long before the America inflicted smoking bans.
Other degenerative habits:
Gambling (currently no smoking inside casinos in IL)
Drinking (currently no smoking inside or on outdoor patios in IL)
Why protect the non-smoking drunks and gamblers. (I am not judging, I drink regularly and like to gamble when I can afford it… I am also a smoker.)
Most smokers are generally courteous to non-smokers as we realize our choice to smoke should not be thrusted upon someone who chooses not to smoke. Granted, America still sees its share of rude smokers even since the ban, namely, lighting up right in front of a public entrance and exhaling smoke everywhere.
Money talks, as it tends to do, and has shifted to the smokers’ favor! Too many people are traveling to bordering states to gamble. Just last week for our anniversary, my hubby and I were going to drive to Indiana and pay the extra money for a hotel room to stay (didn’t want to drive all the way back) just so we could smoke and gamble at the same time. Illinois have shown a huge drop in casino revenue– I say “serves Illinois right!”..their big ideas..umph.
Bars and restaurants are undoubtedly seeing the decline too. As for my “family” (4 out of 5 in the house smoke) and our friends (5-10 regulars), we have changed to holding house parties so we can smoke and drink and play cards. Take-out has replaced restaurants because we cannot smoke there. We are saving a lot of money that way but we all miss going out to the bars, restaurants and casinos to get together.
There are some “Anti Smoking Ban” groups who are calling Illinois lawmakers “Nazis” for not allowing them to smoke. This article is not about any of that and most smokers do not feel that way. I realize the effect of second-hand smoke and I am not denying it. I feel if we can safely and effectively co-inhabit public places to make it enjoyable for all of us then I say “Let’s do it”! The more people who are out spending money, the better for the economy! I have never has so much money in my savings account. All that money used to go to the bar owners, restaurant owners and the casino (the State of Illinois). Now, it’s just sitting in my bank account and NOT being spent in my local economy. Let me add that they should legalize and tax the heck out of marajuana too. I do not smoke it, but it makes an immense amount of sense to stimulate the American economy. I do not, however, think that pot should be smoked in public places.
ILLINOIS HOUSE VOTES TO LIFT CASINO SMOKING BAN
BY DAVE MCKINNEY Sun-Times Springfield Bureau Chief Mar 30, 2011 02:10AM
“SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois House voted Tuesday to lift a smoking ban in all of the state’s casinos during a debate that pitted the health of bettors and casino workers against hundreds of millions of dollars in lost revenues.” More…
Read the Actual Bills:
House Bill 1320 – “Liquor/Smoking License” House Bill 1965 – Smoke Free IL – Gaming Exempt
Long live the freedom of choice for American smokers! As long as we effectively segregate smokers from non-smokers, live and let live–or die as the case may be. As smokers, we take our chances with cancer and asthma. We pay enough taxes (in cigarettes alone) to cover any medical expenses our smoking habit may have caused us. But wait, what did Illinoians pay for those “Open-Road Tolling–brought to you by your buddy Blago” cost us? 14 Million? I can’t remember but cheese and rice I better be able to have a smoke with my Cosmo for all the taxes I pay if Illinois budgeted that much money for frivolous signs.
Yey! I am so excited, aren’t you? I’ll update this article as I know more!
You should go have a smoke. =)
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