Smoking Ban Vote Postponed

By Rachelle Bowden in News on Oct 6, 2005 12:05PM

Yesterday was the big day we were waiting for to see if Chicago would implement a ban on smoking in public places.. but we're all gonna have to hold tight and wait a little longer. Anti-smoking advocates* were all set for their victory, thinking they had the votes to pass the ordinance.. but a bunch of aldermen and restaurant owners are whining that they didn't have time to go over the ban and needed time to see the proposal from the IL Restaurant Assoc. SO.. The vote has been postponed.

Some people are pointing their fingers at Daley and saying he's responsible for the delay, but Daley says that " Everybody's for a form of smoking ban. . . . Everybody wants to be healthy. Fine. But [opponents] have a right to present their position." Good point. We've got to let everyone have their say before the ban goes in effect otherwise restaurants and bars that oppose the ban are going to cry foul play.

* Anti-smoking advocates are now putting ads on TV and spewing numbers online like "Everyday 8 people in IL die from second-hand smoke" and that a "2005 poll reveals that 62% of registered Chicago voters broadly support making the city's workplaces, restaurants, and bars smoke-free." One actual useful thing on their site - a list of Chicago's smoke-free restaurants.