Bars finding ways to aid those affected by ban

A couple of Lake County bars are using a little creativity to head off grumbling by patrons forced outside by Illinois' new smoking law.

They've hoisted tents and winterized beer gardens all in the name of giving smokers a warm place to light up.

At KC's Cabin at Wilmot Road and Route 173 in Fox Lake, bar owners put up a 15-foot-by-15-foot blue and white tent. It comes complete with a space heater, indoor-outdoor carpeting and ashtrays.

"We've had plenty of time to prepare for it," said Pete Franke, a tavern employee. "This isn't the greatest thing in the world, but it's better than standing outside."

Fox Lake Police Chief Mike Behan said using outdoor structures to keep smokers warm is allowed under the state's new smoking law. Such structures require a village-issued temporary structure permit, he said.

According to the village's building department, KC's Cabin and Pug Mahones on Grand Avenue are the only taverns so far to apply and receive permits for smoking tents.

The tent at Pug's is at the rear of the building, officials said. It also has a space heater and ashtrays.

Nutties Sports Bar on Grand Avenue in Lake Villa modified its outdoor beer garden deck for winter use.

Owner John Skoullos measured 15-feet from the back door of his building to inside his roofed wooden deck. He hung thick plastic sheeting to block the wind and marked a yellow line on the ground showing where people could smoke.

He installed a space heater and some stools.

"We built the deck last year as an additional space for people to hang out," he said. "But, this works for us with the new law. It'll give smokers a nice place to smoke when it's cold."

Under state law, alcohol cannot be served in the structures, and there must be plenty of ventilation for the smoke to escape, Behan said.

"It's a little shelter for some smokers, if nothing else," he said. "I don't have a problem with it, as long as a permit is in place."

Bill Mays, the director of community health for the Lake County Health Department, said if tavern owners want to go to these extra lengths to protect smokers from the cold, that's their prerogative.

"It's understandable that taverns and bars would want to hold onto customers and make it more convenient for smokers standing in the cold," he said. "From a public health standpoint, though, we were hoping people could use this law to quit. But, we understand that won't happen all together."

Since the law went into effect at midnight Jan. 1, smokers have grumbled loudly to bar owners about having to step outside.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed a statewide smoking ban into law in July. The state joined 21 other states in prohibiting public smoking.

The law pre-empts 46 other anti-smoking laws passed in the suburbs, Chicago and downstate.

Under the new law, smokers must be 15 feet from entrances to light up. Violators face fines of $100 and $250. Bars, restaurants and offices that allow smokers face similar fines. The third violation in a year will carry a $2,500 fine.

It is still legal to smoke in homes, cars, outdoors, at cigarette shops and in certain hotel rooms.

Gimme shelter

Bar owners planning to open a structure to keep smokers warm must follow a few guidelines:

• Structure must be at least 15 feet from any doors, windows or ventilation systems. The distance could be further depending on local laws.

• Local village or county must be contacted to determine if a temporary permit is needed.

• Structure should have plenty of ventilation to allow smoke to blow out.

• Space heaters or other devices must be working properly.

• Fire extinguisher must be handy in case of a mishap.

Source: Lake County Health Department, Fox Lake Police Department, Illinois state law.