ban

On December 31, 2007, Chicagoans inhaled their last lungful of smoke-filled air in the city's bars, restaurants, bowling alleys and clubs.

Since the statewide smoking ban began this January, many bar and restaurant owners concede their businesses have not suffered. In fact, they, too, are happy to be breathing easier, as are their patrons.

"This has been our best month ever," said Mark Iverson, proprietor of the Diversey River Bowl. "We find it to be a very positive environment. We find it's a very good thing for the businesses."

Effective January 1, 2008, the Smoke Free Illinois Act prohibits smoking in most public places and places of employment, and requires "No Smoking" signs to be placed at all entrances.

Smokers can light up outside at least 15 feet from all entrances, windows and ventilation units.

"It's going exceptionally well," said Tim Hadac, spokesman for the Department of Public Health. "I think there's a lot more public sentiment out there for smoke-free spaces in general."

Hadac said there have been about 150 reports of alleged violations since the statewide smoking ban took effect in January. First-time violaters are fined $250. If caught violating the ban again within one year after the first violation, offenders are fined no less than $500. Additional violations committed within one year after the first can be fined no less than $2,500.

While many in the restaurant and bar industries agree the ban has been a boon to their business, Louay Bayazid, manager of Adobo Grill, a restaurant and bar in Old Town, speculated that hookah bars have been particularly hard hit.

"What they're doing is they've started to go BYOB, which still allows them to have cigarette smoking and everything," he said.

Alhambra Palace, a restaurant in the West Loop, opted to get rid of its hookah lounge rather than surrender its food and/or liquor licenses.

If hookah bars allow their patrons to smoke, Illinois law calls for the bars to give up their food and/or liquor licenses, thereby qualifying hookah bars for the same exemption given to retail tabacco stores.

Tabacco stores allow smoking only if 80 percent of their gross incomes derives from the sale of tabacco and tabacco accessories.

Bassam "Sam" Khalil, director of operations of Alhambra Palace, said the ban has not affected his business. "The hookah lounge was less than five percent of our business."

So is anyone complaining about the ban?

Steve Soble, owner of Southport Lanes, a four-lane bowling alley/ tavern, said his business has been "off" for a variety of reasons.

"I believe the smoking ban has hurt the least because it's a uniform law across the state."

"Litter has been a problem," he added. "I've never understood the flicking of cigarette butts on the ground and leaving them. It's a total issue."

Naresch Nair, director of operations for Martini Bar, believes increased litter outside the establishments is going to become an issue in warmer months.

"It's a never-ending battle with the cigarette butts," he said. "We're on it but it's a little bit of a hassle."

The Department of Streets and Sanitation, however, has not seen any significant increase in cigarette debris from the ban, according to the department's spokesman, Matt Smith.

Ultimately, Khalil is happy about the smoking ban.

"Don't misunderstand me, I'm a smoker," he said. "But it's healthier, the air is cleaner. Quitting is my next step."

"We're moving toward the day when our grandchildren will marvel that we actually smoked in bars and restaurants," Hadac said.