Illinois adjusting to no smoking law

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By Dustin Lemmon | Sunday, June 29, 2008 7:26 PM CDT | () comments

When Illinois’ no smoking law went into effect Jan. 1, the biggest problem Terry Tilka, owner of the Rock Island Brewing Co., faced was employees sneaking off to the restroom for a smoke.

Tilka found hidden ashtrays and said female employees would smoke in the restroom stalls.

“The minute anyone lights up inside the bar you can smell it,” he noted.

Tilka, who was a smoker for more than 30 years, said he prefers the new environment and thinks most of his customer do, too.

“The carpeting is not getting burned, the place isn’t smokey at night,” he said. “It’s fine. I think it’s great.”

Tilka said it’s hard to tell what impact the law has had on business. He said a rough winter kept a lot of people away, and the poor economy and high gas prices might have more to do with any downturn in business than the new law.

Theresa Foes, assistant administrator for the Rock Island County Health Department, said most businesses have adjusted to the new law with few problems.

“I actually have been surprised by how positive it’s been,” she said. “Obviously, I was looking forward to the law, but I expected some upset business owners.”

Foes has received 35 complaints of no smoking violations since the law went into effect Jan. 1. Most came in January, but recently she has seen an increase. Foes speculates that word of the new law coming to Iowa has reminded some in Illinois to report violations.

She said the complaints vary from people actually smoking inside to someone violating the 15-foot rule, which requires smokers stay at least that far away from the door when smoking. Letters are sent out and most business owners comply without much objection, she said.

Kristin Burke, marketing and events coordinator for the Illinois Quad-Cities Chamber of Commerce, could not recall any complaints about the impact of the no smoking law from local businesses.

“I have not heard much from chamber member businesses,” she said.

Dan Genac, owner of 5th Avenue Cafe in Rock Island, installed a patio and covered dining area last September without the no smoking law in mind, but said it has been a benefit to customers and employees who want to smoke.

“We definitely have people (who smoke) that want to sit out here, and then you have some who want to sit outside and don’t want the smoke, so you have it both ways,” he said as he sat on the patio smoking a cigarette.

Genac said some of his customers who are smokers prefer sitting inside the former Maid-Rite for the old diner atmosphere. He also has some non-smokers who like sitting outdoors by his waterfall or brick oven.

“I did not plan it that way,” Genac noted. “It just worked out that way, but I do have a place to offer (smokers) to sit.”

Burke noted that she oversaw some seminars to instruct local businesses on the rules of no smoking law earlier this year. She said it will be easier for Iowa businesses if they know how the new law works in advance.

“I think the most important thing we saw was getting to know the facts,” she said, noting there were some confusing rumors when the law first went into effect.

Foes said Iowa businesses should rely on no smoking signs to do the work for them.

“I think it helps to have the signs up because it does remind you as you walk in and out of the door,” she said. “Many times all it takes is just a reminder from the staff. Once they say something people will comply.”

To report smoking violations in Illinois call toll-free (866) 973-4646 or visit smoke-free.illinois.gov