Lake Co. official: Wis. should ban smoking in bars, restaurants

One year after Illinois state lawmakers pushed smokers outside, Lake County's northern-most tavern owners remain upset customers are not allowed to light up in their establishments.

However, the chief legislative sponsor of "Smoke-Free Illinois" and officials at the Lake County Health Department said the program has not snuffed out profits as tavern owners feared last year.

State Sen. Terry Link, a Democrat from Waukegan, said he understands lingering complaints from Fox Lake and Antioch tavern owners that customers are driving to Wisconsin where smoking is permitted. Still, he contends the rest of the county backs the change.

"Change is a tough thing, but I commend the bars and restaurants in Illinois for embracing the change as they have," Link said. "The best way to help the taverns and restaurants (in Fox Lake and Antioch) is to get Wisconsin to change their laws."

Illinois became a smoke-free state Jan. 1 after legislators passed the "Smoke-Free Illinois" in 2007.

The law states patrons must go outside public establishments to smoke, and must stand at least 15 feet from an entrance, exit or window. Business owners must post "No Smoking" signs, remove ashtrays and report patrons who don't comply.

Previously, it was up to individual villages, counties and businesses to go smoke-free.

Lake County businesses - specifically those close to the Wisconsin border - complained snuffing out cigarettes would kill profits.

But, county health officials said data recorded has proved otherwise.

They said sales tax revenue is up 6.7 percent in drinking and eating establishments in Lake County in the first six months of 2008, compared to the first six months of 2007.

"In short, what we see from all this data is that Smoke-Free Illinois is good for health and good for business," said Barbara de Nekker, community health specialist. "It is clear that most people like Smoke-Free Illinois."

But, Tony Bodanyi, owner of Jimmy V's Sports Bar and Grill in Fox Lake and a nonsmoker, said the numbers do not reflect his dilemma: customers are crossing the border or staying home rather than coming to his once busy establishment.

Bodanyi said the health department's figures are countywide and not specific to businesses abutting the Wisconsin border.

"As long as tobacco is legal, can be taxed, and can be legally sold in stores, business owners should have the right to let people smoke in their businesses," he said.

Link said the economy - not the law - could be blamed for revenue woes in some places. But, he added, he has met with Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle recently regarding turning that state smoke-free. He said he was encouraged by Doyle pushing the issue forward.

"We went statewide with the smoking ban so we could level the playing field at home," he said. "Now, we need to get the neighboring states to get this done so we can level the playing field for those towns on the border."