New Adjustment on Smoke Free Illinois Act Could Impact Local Beer Gardens

smokingLawmakers have added clarifications to the Smoke Free Illinois Act, which would ban smoking in beer gardens at bars and restaurants.

The clarification calls for a ban on smoking in areas that food and beverages are served, indoors and outdoors.

Gimpy’s on 150 Owner Tiffany Leffler tells WGIL that she doesn’t think customers will be happy about it, but they can always step out to the front of the bar.

“You know they could still go out front, but we’ve got quite a large beer garden and I don’t think that people would be real happy about it,” says Leffler. “I don’t know that it would really effect my business though because they could just go out front.”

Leffler says she doesn’t think it is a good idea to ban smoking in garden or patio areas, since it was fine at the 15 feet regulation.

“I don’t think that it’s a good decision. I don’t see any reason that if they are outside and 15 feet away with the current law. But they will go out front.”

Leffler says the new clarification could create some issues with people trying to bring their drinks out front with them when they go for a smoke, but they will just have to monitor that.

The act was adjusted to create a smoke-free environment for employees who may have to pass through areas where smokers have previously been able to light up.

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