Village Could Expand State Smoking Ban, Outlaw Hookah Lounge
Just a few weeks after a hookah lounge has announced its intention to come to New Lenox, the village council could extend the ban on smoking in the state to include businesses that primarily sell tobacco products.
Currently, the code adheres New Lenox village to the Smoke Free Illinois Act, which came into force in 2008 and banned smoking in public places and within 15 feet of entrances. Hookah lounges and cigar shops, but are exempt under the smoking ban in the state because they are eligible for tobacco shops and retail.
"It's not anything against the hookah lounge, it is against any institution (which could permit smoking)," Mayor Tim Baldermann said. "We got to thinking, after hearing this, that we do not promote any smoke."
The village council will discuss the ordinance at its next meeting, which is at 7 pm Monday at Village Hall. The public may comment at the meeting. Baldermann said the board will read the order for the first time on Monday, but he also suspects that there be a vote tonight.
"My personal opinion is that people have the right to do what they want to do in the privacy of their own homes," said Baldermann. "But it was a healthier environment and more enjoyable (since the ban State entered into force). We do not need, as a board, to be tolerant or promotion of such an unhealthy activity. "
The local impact
The owners of hookah lounge M. Shesha, who planned to open this month at the spot where Cafe on Cedar Road was at 398 N. Cedar, could not be immediately contacted.But in a previous interview, Ansari said the hookah is not as unhealthy as cigarettes.
The ingredients include fruit pulp, tobacco leaves, molasses and glycerine. There is no tar and less than 0.05 percent of the nicotine in tobacco hookah, compared with 6 percent nicotine in cigarettes, he said.
Tobacco 4 Less New Lenox, smoking is allowed inside, although it is forbidden, if the order passes. Management was not available for comment Friday.
Many of the thousands of victims had applied online for high-cost pay-day loans shortly before telemarketers contacted them. But instead of receiving the promised credit card that could be used like a Visa, MasterCard or American Express card at