SB 500 Passes

Illinois Senate Bill 500 advanced yesterday with a 34-23 vote. This bill is a statewide smoking ban bill which would outlaw smoking in all public places, including restaurants and bars.

You hear about all these smoking bans and it is played up as really popular and wanted. This bill passed with just shy of 60%; not actually a landslide margin. The House has a bill in the works but has not been voted upon yet.

Doesn't this state already have enough bad legislation in place? I am a non-smoker and I do not agree with these smoking bans in restaurants, bars and such. While I favor smoking bans in most public places, especially where individuals have legitimate business to do, restaurants and bars are completely elective places to frequent. Additionally, I would favor that these establishments place signage indicating whether they are a smoking or smoke free environment. This way, the individual and the business owner decides who to cater to and which establishment to enter; not the government.

Furthermore, smoking bans are just another step to losing our freedoms. Last I checked, using tobacco was legal for adults. But before long, there will be a smoking ban in your own home. Don't think it's possible? The government came into our own automobiles and mandated that we wear seat belts. Sure it's a smart and safe thing to do, but what right does the government have to make you to do this? It's your car! It's your life! Just wait until someone crys out that smokers who smoke in the privacy of their own home are hurting their kids, pets, guests, whatever.

The Illinois legislature is setting up another Prohibition. People will continue to smoke, whether it's in their favorite watering hole or in a back room speakeasy. How well will this smoking ban be enforced? That probably depends upon the local municipality. And along state borders, they'll simply drive over the state line and give adjacent states the sales tax revenue.

And just one question I'd like to ask these non-smoking proponents of the smoking ban; are you going to now patronize several seedy, hole in the wall, dives that were once filled with smokers once this ban goes into effect? I'm going to guess not; they will continue to frequent the Starbucks, TGI Fridays, country clubs and other establishments which are already non-smoking by choice. Maybe these smoking bans should enforce its supporters to regularly visit these taverns as they'll need the business.

The sarcastic, wise ass in me says that those who really want this smoking ban are those same people in high school and college who saw you and your friends having fun, but then called the cops or the Dean to rat you out because they couldn't stand to see someone else having a good time. These people's asses are so tight that it is impossible for them to have fun and thus, they want to ruin it for everyone.