Smoking Ban

The Illinois General Assembly passed a bill that will give county governments the same authority cities now have to ban smoking in public places. The Springfield smoking ban, which goes into effect this September, has been a hot topic around town. One of the most frequent questions people ask me is whether I would support expanding the ban to all of Sangamon County.

As an asthmatic with an allergy to cigarette smoke, a public smoking ban is an easy issue for me to support. There are places I can't go, or can't stay at for long, without getting a headache and risking an asthma attack due to excessive smoke.

I don't hold any animosity toward cigarette smokers. Most smokers I know are considerate and thoughtful about not smoking near anyone if it bothers them. But, its unrealistic to pretend smoking in public doesn't effect people other than the smoker.

Opponents of the smoking ban frequently bring up the rights of smokers and business owners. I'm sympathetic to the rights of business owners, but individual rights are not guaranteed if exercising them violates the rights of others. I would like to think I have a right to be in a public place without needlessly being given an asthma attack.

I'm also concerned about the rights of workers to have a workplace that doesn't give them an increased risk of cancer. Those who say restaurant staff and bartenders can simply find another job are not facing the realities of today's economy. Most people can't afford to quit their job and easily find a new one at any time they please.

Unquestionably, a person has the right to smoke in private where it doesn't effect others. But, smoking in public is a public health issue that effects many. That's why I support a public smoking ban.