And again…smoking ban!
It was announced officially that Illinois government approved the implementation of total smoking ban. This week Gov. Blagojevich signed the Smoke-Free Illinois Act according to which ban will start on July 1, 2008.
So, Illinois becomes the 22nd state that bans smoking in public places.
This number will increase while more and more states are planning to introduce tobacco veto at all in the nearest future. For instance, Deerfield already prohibits smoking in such outdoor public places as parks, school grounds and outdoor dining areas.
Along with the restriction on lightening up tobacco in crowded places, increase of taxes on cigarettes follows. Also, it is planned to introduce embargo on candy-flavored and alcohol-flavored cigarettes.
According to the Smoke-Free Illinois Act single places where smoking is allowed are homes and personal cars.
Those who will break the law will pay fine in the amount of $100 and $250 and at least $250 for the first violation and at least $2,500 for a third violation within one year of businesses.
Businesses mostly affected by ban are bars, casinos, bowling alleys, etc because a greater part of their avenue comes from smokers and tobacco selling. For example casinos could lose approximately 20 percent of their business, which will cost $144 million a year in tax revenue to the state, the association said.
There are states where ban has been already introduced. There are plenty cases of bankruptcy. They result in loss of property and unemployment.
Smoking prohibition upsets the major part of Illinois citizens, because the smokers constitute for about 1.9 million people, from which 21 % are men and 19% are women.
