Tobacco illegal, hemp subsidized; this would be my vote.
Statewide smoking ban debatedAs more than 30 Illinois municipalities have adopted their own smoking bans, state legislators are considering a statewide smoking ban to replace the existing patchwork.
On Monday, the Senate Executive Committee heard testimony from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, health advocates, smokers rights groups and businesses on the pros and cons of a statewide ban on smoking in restaurants, bars and workplaces.
A bill has been introduced that mirrors Chicago's smoking ban, but sponsor Sen. Terry Link (D-Vernon Hills) said that bill was intended to jump-start discussions on which direction the state should go. Although Link said he supports a comprehensive smoking ban, he said no decisions have been made on possible exemptions, and changes likely would be made to the current proposal.
Seventeen states already have strong statewide bans on smoking, according to Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights.
In Illinois, 34 communities have passed bans of some sort—some with phased-in exemptions for bars, some with no exemptions. But the approach is creating problems as some businesses complain that competitors in towns without smoking bans are profiting at their expense.
Or alternatively, allow smoking of any substance legally, only in private. I have nothing really against tobacco, the plant, I'll smoke an unfiltered cigarette now and again when I am 'in my cups', but cannot say I like the stale smell of tobacco on my clothes after a night out, whether or not I smoke myself.
Tags: regulation
