Blagojevich to sign smoking ban today

SPRINGFIELD - Gov. Rod Blagojevich is expected to sign a statewide smoking ban today that will create one of the toughest anti-smoking laws in the country. Blagojevich is scheduled to sign the bill at Northwestern University in Evanston. It would then go into effect Jan. 1. The &#8220Smoke Free Illinois Act” bans smoking in virtually all indoor public places, including bars, restaurants and casinos. It passed with wide majorities in both the Illinois House and Senate, but was firmly opposed by nearly all Metro East lawmakers. Those local legislators worried that area bars would be hurt by Illinois smokers visiting businesses in Missouri, which doesn't have a smoking ban. &#8220I think people will migrate to where they can smoke and drink,” said Steve Neukomm, owner of Square One Brewery in downtown St. Louis, and a nonsmoker. &#8220I think they would do that.” Neukomm estimated that 20 to 25 percent of his evening business comes from Illinois residents, and thinks that share could increase after the Illinois ban takes effect. He would not, however, guess by how much. &#8220Call me in February,” he said. Many other Illinois bar owners also are convinced the ban is bad for the bottom line. &#8220I'm sure that it's going to hurt our business; there's no doubt about that,” said Don Diserens, owner of the Alton Sports Tap and president of the Illinois Licensed Beverages Association, which represents bars and other alcohol retailers. Supporters of casino riverboats also worry the ban would hurt them, driving gamblers into St. Louis. There have been several failed attempts this year by the gaming industry and its political supporters to get casinos exempted from the ban, with some supporters claiming it could cost some boats 20 percent of their business. But anti-smoking advocates claim there are indications the ban actually could be good for businesses. &#8220The evidence is crystal clear when you look at peer-reviewed economic studies: People don't lose business (because of smoking bans),” said Mike Grady, state public policy director for Illinois' chapter of the American Cancer Society. Grady said there are often disruptions to business after bans first go into effect, but maintained that &#8220there is no long-term effect.” The American Cancer Society mounted a huge lobbying effort this spring to push the smoking ban through the Legislature. Its volunteer campaign, starting in January, bombarded legislators with more than 18,000 e-mails and more than 13,000 phone calls urging their support for a smoking ban. The society estimates that secondhand smoke contributes to the death of 8,000 Illinoisans each year. &#8220Whether or not you mind breathing the smoke, it still can kill you,” Grady said. The bill is SB500.