Chicago Aldermen Reach Agreement to Make Chicago Virtually Smokefree by January 16; Bars Given Extension
Chicago, IL -
Following the lead of other major cities, the Chicago City Council Wednesday approved an ordinance that bans smoking in virtually all public places in the city.
After months of debate, Chicago aldermen reached a compromise on an ordinance that bans smoking in most buildings and public spaces beginning January 16, 2006. Taverns as well as restaurants with bars are exempt from the no-smoking ban until July 1, 2008. Private clubs and lodges are not affected.
The two-year grace period given to bars was part of a compromise by aldermen. There is a loophole for bars which implement high-tech ventilation systems to remove carcinogens found in secondhand smoke; however, no such technology currently exists.
The council approved the measure 45-1 after months of aggressive lobbying by both sides of the issue including the Illinois Restaurant Association and the American Cancer Society.
There has also been much public debate about the ordinance in Chicago and throughout the Lakeview neighborhood.
Two GLBT bars are already smoke-free, Minibar, 3341 N. Halsted, and Marty's, 1511 W. Balmoral. Minibar opened on October 14, 2005 to become the first bar in Boystown to go smoke-free. "I often find myself going to Minibar just to avoid the smoke," says Jordan Burns. "It really dries my contacts and ruins my clothes."
The trend to restrict public smoking continues nationwide. On Tuesday, the Washington D.C. Council voted to prohibit smoking in bars, restaurants and other indoor public places.
Chicago joins New York, Boston, Los Angeles and many other cities in going smoke-free.
Talk About It: Post Your Thoughts
After months of debate, Chicago aldermen reached a compromise on an ordinance that bans smoking in most buildings and public spaces beginning January 16, 2006. Taverns as well as restaurants with bars are exempt from the no-smoking ban until July 1, 2008. Private clubs and lodges are not affected.
The two-year grace period given to bars was part of a compromise by aldermen. There is a loophole for bars which implement high-tech ventilation systems to remove carcinogens found in secondhand smoke; however, no such technology currently exists.
The council approved the measure 45-1 after months of aggressive lobbying by both sides of the issue including the Illinois Restaurant Association and the American Cancer Society.
There has also been much public debate about the ordinance in Chicago and throughout the Lakeview neighborhood.
Two GLBT bars are already smoke-free, Minibar, 3341 N. Halsted, and Marty's, 1511 W. Balmoral. Minibar opened on October 14, 2005 to become the first bar in Boystown to go smoke-free. "I often find myself going to Minibar just to avoid the smoke," says Jordan Burns. "It really dries my contacts and ruins my clothes."
The trend to restrict public smoking continues nationwide. On Tuesday, the Washington D.C. Council voted to prohibit smoking in bars, restaurants and other indoor public places.
Chicago joins New York, Boston, Los Angeles and many other cities in going smoke-free.
Talk About It: Post Your Thoughts
