City has no plans to deploy 'smoking police'

A statewide smoking ban in bars, restaurants and most public places goes into effect on New Year's Day. The Chicago Health Department is talking about how the city plans to enforce the ban.

Some bars and restaurants have already cut off smoking. Others are waiting until the law goes into effect next Tuesday.

There will definitely be some initial confusion and a lot of enforcement disparity as individual counties work with local police and health officials on strategies for enforcing a new law that takes effect, ironically, in the middle of New Year's Eve celebrations. The City of Chicago has an enforcement game plan ready to go, but it doesn't include spoiling New Year's Eve parties.

"There's not going to be any police. There's not going to be any smoking police. We're not going to have people sitting in a bar looking to see if somebody lights a cigarette. No. That's not going to happen, period," said Dr. Terry Mason, Chicago health commissioner.

The city won't be sending inspectors into bars and restaurants to enforce the smoking ban when it goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, at the same time party-goers are ushering in the new year, and that, according to the Illinois Restaurant Association, is a relief.

"The thing that makes this difficult is the actual effective date of it. And that it's going into effect in the midst of New Year's Eve celebrations," said Sheila O'Grady, Illinois Restaurant Association.

The ban in Chicago requires "no smoking" signs to be prominently displayed in bars and restaurants. So the smokers have to go outside and do their puffing at least 15 feet from the front door.

"I'll stay home and smoke in my house," said Paul Pantola, smoker.

The new law gives the city the power to fine individual violators. But the health department is only going after the owners of the bars and restaurants by mailing out warning letters after the first two complaints, sending out inspectors after a third complaint. And if there is evidence of non-compliance, the fine is $250 the first time, $500 the second, and $2,500 after that.

"I think eventually everyone realizes that's what the law is and they'll abide by the law," said Peter Bournakis, restaurant owner.

Based on the experience in 22 other states, the ban is expected to reduce the incidence of lung cancer by 19 percent and heart attacks by 8 percent, and 300,000 Illinois smokers are likely to quit.

As for the economic impact, health officials say the ban is actually good for business.

"Smoke-free was good for business in New York, it was good for business in Boston. and it's been good for business throughout the United States," said Joel Africk, Respiratory Health Association.

Even though Chicago won't be sending out the anti-smoking police, health officials are encouraging people to call 3-1-1 to report violations beginning as early as 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, when the signs have to be up, the ashtrays removed and the customers going outside to light up.

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