Chamber polls businesses about smoking ban

http://oralcigarettes.com/Cigarettes-News/11-08-2006/page_Nr-0/Chamber-polls-businesses-about-smoking-ban.4606.html



Tinley Park has one. Orland Park does, too. And now Oak Forest plans to start asking local businesses whether the city should do what the other suburbs are doing and implement a city-wide smoking ban.


The city's chamber of commerce plans to mail surveys to about more than 170 businesses to gauge their opinion about a proposed ban, said Tamara Kostecki, the chamber's executive director.

City officials plan to formally discuss the prospects of a smoking ban at a committee meeting Nov. 14.

Ald. Richard Simon (2nd) said few of the business owners he has talked with were supportive of the proposed ban.

"I'm a non-smoker, and I have my personal feelings," Simon said. "But my decision will be based on the opinion of the business community."

Ald. Anthony Chinino (1st) said he already made up his mind.

"I'll vote no," he said. "It's up to the business owners to say they don't want smoking."

Oak Forest Mayor JoAnn Kelly said the city would invite representatives from the American Cancer Society to discuss the health effects of secondhand smoke. She said city officials also would look for guidance in the ordinances Orland Park and Tinley Park approved.

Category Posted: General