As an ex-smoker, I know that people will only quit when they are ready to. As a believer in property rights, I don’t think forcing a ban on bars and restaraunts is the right thing to do. If there is a demand for smoke-free environments, someone will capitalize on it.

I am so glad I will not be forced to participate in others’ (smokers are a minority by the way) unhealthy addictions in Illinois. I think there should be some sort of award for businesses who ban smoking early and always. Children and adults who do not want to inhale smoke should not have to.

I’m not a smoker. I know from having many friends that smoke, they will not stop until they are ready. The Illinois Smoking Ban will send all the smokers to bars and casinos in Missouri. I will be heading for the Illinois bars and casinos. I’m glad at lease Illinois had the common sense to let us breath cleaner air. Missouri need to follow.

Switch your thoughts to cannabis. If someone were to light that up, would you be offended? Forget the legalities. If a legal med can user lit up, how would you feel? Which is the more dangerous drug? Smokers tend to defend the most dangerous things, around kids or not. And of course I would obey whatever law covered where I was sitting. But you don’t need a law to be considerate, unless you smoke nicotine. They tend to need a BIG nudge sometimes. Witness how desperate you were when you thought you were out of ciggies. I have yet to see a cannabis user act as crazy as a nickie addict does. Do you know volume per volume nicotine is more addictive than heroin? Look it up (not on a tobacco company site) It IS! Why would you use that around kids?

Smoking is the only thing you can do that directly affects the health of other people without violating their rights, at least until some of the states realized that it is ridiculous to let that go on. It will be nice to go bowling without smelling like a Marlboro commercial when I leave…

I hope the law extends to the St. Clair County courthouse, the doors and sidewalks leading to it and the parking lot access.
If a person was held down and forced to guzzle a beer it would be assault. I feel assaulted when I have to walk, stand in line, sit, or eat, through smoke.
It’s not about making anyone quit. Their addiction is their business, they just need to keep it private. I don’t want to be involved.
St. Louisians, welcome to smoke free Illinois!

I really have always been stunned by the outrage a few non smoker express. I have come to realize it is but one small thing in their life they feel they can speak out about and affect. So good for them for speaking out and trying to make something better!

However, remember it IS a slippery slope. Soon you too will have insurance issues for you are heavy in frame, had a cold one time and now have pre-existing conditions, or live in the wrong neighborhood. By not standing together we will soon be split into little splinter groups too weak to withstand unfair practices.

And all of us are in some type of little group. Drinkers or not. Smokers or not. Religious or not. Rich or not. Male or not. Tall or not. So go ahead and rip the smokers now, but realize in being so darn judgemental you are opening yourself up to the same in areas you treasure.

Personally, as a non smoker, I think most of us could care less if you smoke and a few really squeeky wheels are making a heck of a lot of noise. My granparents said if you can’t say something nice you should say nothing. Interesting advice ignored in todays world.

Thank the man upstairs that I live in one of most smoke-friendly states. I don’t cross that bridge to Illinois and glad I won’t ever have to. As for the bowling alley not smelling like smoke as noted; let’s hope your bowling alley survives becoming smoke free. I worked for a business supply company and they didn’t extend credit to any bowling alleys, because they were shutting down and up on bankrupcy filings. I hope you have enough smoke free bowlers to keep the place going.

I can understand non-smokers not liking it in their face. As for 2nd hand smoke, my mother is a retired nurse that grew up in household of 3 heavy smokers…3 packers! She is in her early 70’s and it never affected her health.

As for the United States of America; the free country this is supposed to be. To force owners of businesses to comply with government rules is like being under communist rule. The business owner should make the decision. He owns his building and lot and he should have the choice of alienating his clientel, whether smokers or non-smokers. This WAS supposed to be a free country.

And if the lobbyists for “smoke free america” ever got there way, our governments would be broke. After all, we are providing all that wonderful tax money they are making at our expense. If America was completely smoke free, our goverment budgets would all be shot, since states rely on this money to bring them out of budget shortfalls.

Face it…the smokers of America are keeping the country out of depression and bankrupcy. Boy, no wonder we smoke…we are carrying the load!!!

It’s unfortunate that Illinois feels compelled to legislate courteous behavior. Most if not all smokers realize that their habit is offensive to many non-smokers, and yet some smokers invariably light up in confined areas without adequate ventilation. I commend Illinois’ proactive action. But if Missouri plays its hand smart, it’ll continue to avoid enacting more stringent smoking regulations and thus herd customers to Missouri from nearby Illinois bars.

The Fun Police are at it again!

Who in the heck cares about tobacco smoke? Is everyone scared chickensh#%&t nowadays? Let me tell you - there are a lot more important things to be scared about, like global warming, Anton Chiragh (see the movie “No Country For Old Men”), and Mike Huckabee ads.

You see, liberals and conservatives have formed an alliance against free enterprisers (like myself) to prevent people from pursuing happiness and making extra bux for the holidays and beyond. Bah Humbug!