Just a couple weeks after a to come to New Lenox, the Village Board voted to expand the state's smoking ban to include businesses that primarily sell tobacco products.
For some, the timing was a bit suspect: Did the village decide to ban smoking in such retail tobacco shops because smoking is unhealthy, or were there other factors at play, such as race?
"It could be seen as racist," said Hashem Hamad, manager of , which allowed smoking inside under a state exemption. Hamad is Palestinian and has managed the business for five and a half years. "When New Lenox is 96 percent white, it could seem like it unless they explain why they're (going further than the state ban)."
Hookah lounges and cigar shops are exempt under the state's smoking ban because they qualify as retail tobacco shops. The new local ordinance outlaws smoking in such establishments.
The board's explanation for expanding the ban is that after learning a retail tobacco shop could come to town, trustees shouldn't be "promot(ing) any smoking," Mayor Tim Baldermann said. Hookah lounge owners Ehab Moustafa and Ahmed Ansari could not be contacted to comment, but previously argued that hookah includes less than one-tenth the nicotine that a cigarette does.
Some readers said the board's decision was targeting the hookah lounge specifically. They wondered why cigar and cigarette shops such as Tobacco 4 Less were allowed to operate under the state's exemption for a few years, but when a business that wouldn't be able to exist under the ban makes plans to come here and is turned back.
When asked that question, Baldermann admitted he wasn't aware the businesses exempt under the state law allowed smoking inside, and he said there would be an end to that. He said race has nothing to do with the board's decision; he simply wanted to address the issue because he thought this was the first time a tobacco-based business would allow indoor smoking in New Lenox.
So you are saying, you had no idea people smoke at cigarette shops until now. Bullony!! Well then he is well aware now. I can't believe Tim was a police officer, or even Chief. Still.... bottom line. This business has every right to open a lounge in N.L. As much as I do NOT need or want a Hookah Lounge in N.L., it is there right to try. Baldermann or N.L. are not promoting Smoking by allowing this business to open. The residents do, by supporting the sales of tobacco, which also provides tax money for the town. I would not want a strip club, or a Homeless shelter, or any business that could bring crime, but this is the land of the free..... or Not so Free in New Lenox.
Where does this government heavihandedness stop in your opinion? When it stomps on your freedom? Or your friends' and family's opportunities? When will citizens realize that by putting increasing power and control in the hands of elected officials, they are relinquishing their own individual freedoms? Government incompetence and overreaching control is stripping away our freedom because "we" are letting it.
Oh yes, cover one polution with another. Bad answer. I doubt he knew if he does not buy tabbaco. I do not & did not know they allow smoking inside. Why? Because I do not smoke. No need to ever go there. Racial? Oh my another cheap "get me some easy money" law suit do I smell? Hooray for New Lenox, keeping it clean! Second hand smoke stinks! New Lenox is doing right for thier citizens. Freedom? We still have it, just new laws to stop people from hurting others with tar, nicotine, metals and fillers etc;. (from an X smoker)