IL Department Of Public Health Taking Comments On New Smoking Rules

(Undated) -- With new smoking rules expected to be put in place, comments on the matter are being taken by the Illinois Department of Public Health. That’s according to Norrine Hammond, the Representative of the 95th District of the Illinois House. Hammond represents a portion of Fulton County. The comments are to be on the proposed new rules intended to reduce public exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke by withdrawing the rights of businesses that serve food or alcohol to offer a patio option to their customers. Many Illinois communities including many in Canton and Fulton County have local zoning that allows a tavern or restaurant to open a patio or "beer garden" where its customers may smoke. If the new rules are approved in their current form, that permission would be withdrawn and it would force the complete separation of any form of smoking and all forms of food and beverage serving.