Sugar Grove trustees favor smoking ban
 
February 14, 2007
Susan O'Neill

Sugar Grove trustees are considering clearing the air by passing a smoking ban in public places, similar to an ordinance being considered by the Tri-Cities and recently passed by St. Charles.

During a discussion at Tuesday's Committee of the Whole meeting, trustees reviewed written public comments and feedback on the possible ban, and listened to residents who attended the meeting.

Sugar Grove resident Erin Erickson wanted to know if smoking could be banned around the entrance of a bar or restaurant.

“I have asthma, and my concern is having to walk through 10 people smoking to get into the entrance,” she said.
Erickson said she has had to leave a restaurant in the village because smoke exacerbated her condition. She said that even though she and her husband sit in the non-smoking section, the smoke still affects her.
“We end up getting take-out,” she said.

Her husband, Ken Wiesner, said that they and their Windsor West neighbors often go to a smoke-free bar in Yorkville because it is more comfortable.

“My wife and I are definitely against smoking,” said Wiesner. “We are fully behind the move to make Sugar Grove smoke-free.”

The couple represents the other side of the argument that when businesses go non-smoking they may lose business. The Wiesners said they will go out of their way to frequent establishments that do not allow smoking.

Claire Dobbins, Kane County Health Department director of preparedness and communicable disease control, explained the effects of secondhand smoke to board members and attendees of the meeting. She said that there are 4,000 chemicals in cigarettes and 69 kinds of carcinogens.

“There is no safe level of exposure,” she said.

“The scientific evidence is now indisputable; secondhand smoke is not a mere annoyance. It is a serious health hazard that can lead to disease and premature death in children and nonsmoking adults,” she said, quoting United States Surgeon General Richard Carmona.

Dobbins explained that the studies have shown that secondhand smoke causes lung cancer, heart disease, bronchitis and asthma. She added that no filtration equipment can remove all of the harmful chemicals from the air caused by cigarette smoke.

“The air may smell better, but it is still dangerous to anyone who breathes it,” Dobbins said.

She said that many business owners worry about losing customers if they go smoke-free, but economic studies in California, Delaware, Florida and Massachusetts have shown no adverse effect on restaurant business. In addition, she said that a New York study showed an increase in business after the laws went into effect.

During the month of January, the village received 18 individual comments about the potential ban, with a total of 16 in support of a smoking ban and two against a it. Earlier, 16 Sugar Grove Chamber of Commerce and Industry members weighed in with their opinions: 13 favored a smoking ban, while three opposed.

Village Board members said they were in favor of the ban, nor did they think that existing bars should be “grandfathered in.”

However, trustees agreed that an exception should be made for private clubs, such as the American Legion. Bob Bohler said he thought the exception should apply not only for private clubs that currently exist, but future ones, as well.

“I think this (smoking ban) is a good thing,” said trustee Kevin Geary. “Employees are there to earn a living, not get cancer. They (smokers) shouldn't be able to freely share their smoke with other people.”

A Kane County committee has been holding discussions about a possible countywide ban for several months. The county will hold a public meeting to gather opinions on the smoking ban on Monday, Feb. 19, at the Sugar Grove Fire Protection District building. This meeting is one of several the county will host throughout Kane County.

The Sugar Grove Village Board will revisit the issue on Tuesday, March 20, and could vote on the measure in April. The ban, if passed, would be effective on May 14.
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