On March 15, a smoking ban in all public places in Cook County will go into effect. This includes bars, restaurants, arcades, bowling alleys, movie theaters, health facilities, grocery stores, and schools. Glenview, however, has the right to nullify the ban, allowing residents and visitors to smoke.

Many students’ opinions vary on whether or not the ban should take place.
Senior Craig Kofod believes it should. “For the majority, it’s a rude inconvenience, and when I’m out with my family, I don’t want to have to inhale excess smoke.”

On the other hand, freshman Kelley Gerding said, “A lot of people don’t think that smoking is right, [but] I don’t think that we should limit them to only being able to smoke in their house.”

Chris Hilvert from the science department explained that second-hand smoke is always bad for your health. “If it’s not affecting other people, then knock yourself out, but every single scientific research has proven that it’s bad,” he said.

Many students feel that it is unfair when others smoke in public.

Freshman Chris San Roman said, “I can’t breathe in the smoke, and I can’t talk to [smokers] from the fear of getting cancer.”

Sophomore Jin Youn agreed. “First, it doesn’t smell good, and it also feels uncomfortable.”

The ban could affect the restaurant and bar businesses because many people attend them just to smoke. Smoking does not only harm children physically, but also mentally.

Science teacher Deborah Stein confirmed this, saying, “It’s disgusting and dirty, and adults that smoke in public set bad examples for children.”

There are a number of reasons why the ban can be positive. It can make the air healthier. It can save a lot of money, and most importantly, save many lives.
Sophomore Gabriel Blinick said, “If people stop smoking, there would be less cancer-related cases, and less people would die each year.”

On Thursday, February 4, the Village of Glenview held a public forum to address this issue. More than 25 Glenview residents attended this meeting to voice their opinions. Fifteen of the 27 restaurant and bar owners would like to keep the status quo, meaning they want to allow smoking.

The Village has three options to consider: they can allow the ban to stand, adopt a law in Glenview to allow smoking in certain areas, or let the restaurant and bar owners decide whether or not they will allow it in their establishments.

Bobby Mette, staff reporter