SMOKE FREE ILLINOIS – For Some Smokers Golf Courses Provide the Last Refuge!
SMOKE FREE ILLINOIS – For Some Smokers Golf Courses Provide the Last Refuge!
CHICAGO AND MANY SUBURBS HAVE BANNED OUTDOOR SMOKING IN MANY PLACES – BUT IT’S STILL LEGAL ON THE LINKS!
Illinois "Smoke Free" Law went into effect the first of this year banning smoking in virtually all indoor public places and all restaurants clubs bowling alleys and sporting venues. The City of Chicago and many suburbs have taken the additional step to curtail smoking in beer gardens of restaurants and bars at outdoor ballparks and on parks and beaches. The Chicago suburbs of Lake Forest and Lake Bluff have banned smoking at their downtown business districts and have increased the minimum permissible smoking distance from bars and restaurants to 25 feet versus the statewide 15-foot minimum.
Well were can a smoker light up a fine cigar or take a couple of legal drags on that cigarette?
For the most part – golf courses public or private allowing smoking on the greens. As long as the smokers are at least 15 feet from a door or openable window in the clubhouse (75 feet in less-permissive Lake Bluff or Lake Forest) puffing is allowed! At the Lake Bluff Public Course provisions are being considered to construct a "smoker’s tent" for special events at the club. However there is some debate as to whether the tent would be considered a "closed area." According to Illinois’s new law such an enclosed area must be smoke free.
Like Chicago officials who recently banned smoking at all city beaches Lake Forest Mayor Michael Rummel said his city’s decision to extend his village’s smoking ban to outdoor venues had less to do with the health dangers caused by second-hand smoke. "This was more mess-driven than smell-driven" said Rummel who does not smoke. "We spent a lot of time cleaning up that stuff [because] people were standing around and throwing cigarette butts on the ground."
Many golfers who smoke feel having a cigarette or cigar actually relaxes them – especially when stress is high for tough shots or when lining up a putt. Says Dan Kublank of suburban Waukegan having a relaxing cigar at a critical time of play improves your attitude. "Smoking a good cigar gives you something to think about other than your golf game." says Kublank.
Indeed many of the world’s greatest golfers including Ben Hogan and Arnold Palmer – have enjoyed a cigarette or cigar on the greens. Many pros on the Senior Tour still smoke.
A number of golf clubs in California have already banned smoking throughout their courses. That step seems unlikely here however at least for now.
See Susan Kuczka’s article in last Thursday’s Chicago Tribune for more info.
DEAN MOSS & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO
