Buffalo Grove board OKs ban on smoking

Buffalo Grove board OKs ban on smoking
But concerns linger over effect on business community
Originally published Tuesday, April 18, 2006

By Nadia Malik
Daily Herald Staff Writer

By this fall, the village of Buffalo Grove will officially be smoke-free.
The village board on Monday unanimously agreed to pass a smoking ban in all office buildings and restaurants.
But because neighboring towns don't have a ban, concern lingered Monday over the effect on the business community.
Trustee Jeff Berman proposed starting the ban on Oct. 1 instead of July 1 - which the board agreed to - because that would give other Lake County towns considering a ban time to move forward.
"I continue to believe that the best interests of our village would be served if we were part of a broader regulatory umbrella that helps to avoid, to the greatest extent possible, adverse impacts on all of our interests," he said.
The board also voted on a resolution encouraging state and regional action, which will be sent to state representatives and Cook and Lake county towns along with a letter from Village President Elliott Hartstein.
In his letter, he wrote that a statewide ban would be most effective but "since it does not appear likely that the General Assembly will act, I would urge you to look at the Buffalo Grove ordinance as a model."
The smoking ban has been on the village back burner for a few years but the issue was brought to the forefront after the OMNI youth group took up the cause.
The village's health board researched the topic last May and Trustee Brian Rubin proposed an ordinance in February.
The village organized a committee to look at a possible ban which met four times over the past month. The 18-member group made up of trustees, residents and business owners ironed out many of the details. Ultimately all places of business, restaurants and bars were included. Hotels will be allowed to have 10 percent of their rooms designated for smoking.
The group also decided to restrict smoking within 20 feet of any public entrance.
The committee received public input via a forum in March and online comments.
Trustee Jeff Braiman, who headed up the committee, said about 90 percent of the 400 responses were in support of the ban. The sentiment was, "we need to do something," he said.