Highland Park will become the second North Shore town to enact a smoking ban that includes public places, as well as restaurants, bars and nearly all places of employment.
By a 5-1 vote, the City Council approved an ordinance, effective June 1, that had been debated for nearly a year, including another two hours Monday night.
“It’s not an easy issue,” Mayor Michael Belsky said Tuesday. “You certainly don’t want to hurt your local restaurants, which have become a big part of our local economy. But I think the City Council sided with the public health issue.”
Those who spoke against the ban Monday noted that all but seven of the city’s 80 restaurants already ban smoking, and they argued the decision should be left to the owners who have to deal with financial ramifications.
“I really think it’s going to be the kiss of death for my late-night business,” said Kathy Govas, owner of Metropolitan Cafe, 1791 St. Johns Ave., who allowed late-night smoking only after customers told her they were going to nearby restaurants that allowed them to light up.
The ordinance does provide exemptions for long-term health-care facilities and hotels that have designated smoking rooms, but bans it almost everywhere else.
Violations of the new city smoking ban will be punishable by fines of $50 to $500 per offense, officials said.
In July, Wilmette approved a similar smoking ban that included bars and restaurants touted by some as the most comprehensive in Illinois.
Evanston also banned smoking in most workplaces, but exempted restaurants and bars. And Skokie started the North Shore trend two years ago when it banned smoking in most businesses, but not in bars or tobacco shops.
