Posted on 05/21/2006 3:27:09 AM PDT by SheLion
That big cloud of smoke you see leading out of Champaign-Urbana could be the trail of smokers driving to restaurants, bars and bowling alleys in neighboring communities.
City and village leaders in Gibson City, Gifford, Mahomet, Monticello, Paxton, Philo, Rantoul, Savoy, St. Joseph, Tolono and Villa Grove all say they have no plans to follow Champaign's lead in passing a comprehensive smoking ban, which will be effective Aug. 1 if Urbana approves a similar ordinance in the next several weeks.
Meanwhile, business owners in the surrounding communities say Champaign-Urbana smokers will be welcome there. They anticipate increased sales from C-U smokers looking for a place to puff.
In Savoy, Village Manager Dick Helton said no one has approached the village board about adopting a smoking ban.
"Even if it were proposed, I'm not sure there is enough support to put it on the agenda," Helton said. "This is not something that should be regulated. We believe it is up to a business to make a choice whether to allow smoking and up to the individuals to decide whether they want to support that business."
"Just because Champaign and Urbana pass an anti-smoking ordinance, doesn't mean we have to follow suit," said Savoy Village Board member Bill Smith.
Helton said he wouldn't be surprised to see Champaign-Urbana smokers head to the Old Orchard Lanes, Senator's Inn and Elks Club or to the new Applebee's restaurant that is currently under construction.
"If there are people who want to smoke in public, they will find a place where they are allowed to do what they want to do," Helton said.
B.J. Hackler, St. Joseph's mayor and vice president of the Illinois Municipal League, said his village gives its businesses the option to allow or prohibit smoking.
"There's no movement to ban smoking here because it doesn't cause a problem," Hackler said. "We already have quite a few people come to eat here from out of town. If they can't smoke in Champaign-Urbana restaurants, I suspect there will be quite a few more."
Rural business owners say they look forward to the extra business.
"We don't get a whole lot of business from Champaign-Urbana, but if the smokers are looking for someplace to go, they'd be welcome here," said Eric Thompson, co-owner of the Caddyshack Bar and Grill in Rantoul.
Philo Tavern owner Brad Bollman said the C-U ban could be good for his business.
"There's a possibility what is happening in Champaign-Urbana could be positive for the local towns," said Bollman. "There's also a possibility that people who feel strongly against smoking will start to go to Champaign-Urbana. We'll have to wait and see."
Some places I would go to to spend my money!!! Some good news out of Illinois!!
Bump!
We believe it is up to a business to make a choice whether to allow smoking and up to the individuals to decide whether they want to support that business.
RADICAL CONCEPT ALERT!
I think most of us do. :) Like the smell of stale beer. Yuk!
Wow! Sanity.
I am in awe.
Thanks for the ping!
I'll tell you what. I went bowling for the first time in many years. When we left, I and my little family all smelled like an ashtray. I don't care what my wife says, she will never, ever get me back into that place on a night when they allow smoking.
Smoking sucks. No ifs, ands, or butts. Smokers who light up right in front of me, forcing me to endure even a second of their noxious fumes, suck. The ones who throw their filthy butts on the street suck. I spend a lot of time and energy keeping myself fit and healthy. Smokers have zero right to inflict their filth into my lungs, my eyes, on my clothes, or anywhere else. Zero, none, no.
No sympathy here. Ban away.
You have a right to post your opinion here.
I have never heard a smoker here advocate discourteous smoking. So cool your jewels.
You have a right not to go bowling there. The OWNER has a right to do what he/she wants with their establishment.
If you don't like the radio or tv station, turn it off. Same thing.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.