Officials say businesses need to prepare for smoking ban

Lake County health officials say bars, restaurants and businesses need to do more than remove ashtrays and post no-smoking signs to prepare for going smoke-free Jan. 1, per a new state law.

The Lake County Health Department's Tobacco Free Lake County program will host two free forums next month aimed at educating business owners about steps they can take to make a smooth transition.

Some people don't realize the Smoke Free Illinois Act that takes effect Jan. 1 applies to all businesses, said Kristine Andersen, the health department substance abuse program coordinator.

"All you need is one employee," she said. "Regardless if you are all smokers, if the public comes in, you have to be smoke-free."

Rules of the law signed July 23 have not yet been finalized because of a 45-day comment period, Andersen said.

At the forums, health officials will answer questions about how businesses can begin implementing the law, prepare their sites and offer employees who smoke solutions to quit through cessation programs.

"We're going to link them up with resources," Andersen said. "We are trying to make this transition go well to give (businesses) some guidelines so that they feel like they are in control and know what they are doing."

Many area bar owners are considering building outdoor shelters or sheds to accommodate employees and their smoking clientele, said Corky Anderson, president of the Tavern Owners Association of Lake County and owner of Corky's Pub in Beach Park.

The state will regulate such shelters, but exactly what requirements will be placed are unclear.

Andersen warns bars and businesses against building such shelters before state rules are finalized.

Businesses also need to understand the nuances of state, county and municipal smoke-free laws.

The state law does not allow smoking within 15 feet of a door, window or vent. But Lake County's smoke-free ordinance does not allow smoking within 20 feet of entryways of any workplace or public place in unincorporated areas.

Rules may differ depending on the community businesses belong to as some have adopted stricter ordinances than state law. Anytime the local rules are stricter, they supersede state law.

A forum for restaurant and bar owners will be held 3:30 to 5 p.m. Nov. 14 at Mickey Finn's Brewery, 412 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. A second forum for business leaders will be held from 8 to 10 a.m. Nov. 16 at the University Center, 1200 University Center Drive, Grayslake.

For information about the Smoke Free Illinois Act visit www.smokefreeillinois.org. A draft of the proposed rules can be found at http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/index/register/register_volume31_issue40.pdf.