Residents speak out
Jason Nevel
Issue date: 11/30/07 Section: News
"Every time I come back from the bar I smell like a cigarette, and I don't smoke, so for me it's a good thing that people can't smoke," McDowell said.
Senior psychology major David Aguirre said although he does not smoke, the smoking ban should not have been signed into law.
"I am not a smoker, but I think it is the right of a business owner to run their establishment the way they want to," Maguirre said. "People know the dangers of smoking and the risk of going into a bar before they enter."
Businesses can be fined $250 per day if smoking is allowed, and violators can be fined $100 to $250. The Illinois Department of Public Health, local public health departments and local law enforcement agencies are required to enforce the act. However, much of the regulation will likely fall on managers like Shadwick and Morris.
Morris said he does not believe it will be difficult to regulate smokers at The Ritz because it already has staff that patrols the entire bar. Shadwick said he feels regulating it will become a burden, especially in the bathrooms.
"How am I going to police the women's bathroom?" Shadwick said. "Am I going to have to send a spy in there every time I think someone is smoking?"
Both Morris and Shadwick said they have no plans of creating an outdoor beer garden due to a lack of space and location.
Senior psychology major David Aguirre said although he does not smoke, the smoking ban should not have been signed into law.
"I am not a smoker, but I think it is the right of a business owner to run their establishment the way they want to," Maguirre said. "People know the dangers of smoking and the risk of going into a bar before they enter."
Businesses can be fined $250 per day if smoking is allowed, and violators can be fined $100 to $250. The Illinois Department of Public Health, local public health departments and local law enforcement agencies are required to enforce the act. However, much of the regulation will likely fall on managers like Shadwick and Morris.
Morris said he does not believe it will be difficult to regulate smokers at The Ritz because it already has staff that patrols the entire bar. Shadwick said he feels regulating it will become a burden, especially in the bathrooms.
"How am I going to police the women's bathroom?" Shadwick said. "Am I going to have to send a spy in there every time I think someone is smoking?"
Both Morris and Shadwick said they have no plans of creating an outdoor beer garden due to a lack of space and location.
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