SMOKE FREE ILLINOIS Builds Business for Manufacturers of "Smoking Shelters!"
HUTS CAN COST UPWARDS OF $5,000 EACH!
When Smoke Free Illinois, which prohibits lighting up in public buildings, workplaces, workplaces and taverns, and sports venues, took effect the beginning of this year, it meant good news for manufacturers of the "smoking hut."
Looking very similar to a bus shelter, but a lot smokier, those yet to break the habit huddle close in cold weather for a puff or two. Shown here are employees of the THK Corporation in Schaumburg, IL, in a photo taken by Terry Harris of The Chicago Tribune on January 24, 2008.
The new law prohibiting smoking across Chicago and throughout the State of Illinois keeps smokers a minimum of 15 feet away from any building doors or openable windows. Also, in order to comply with the law, the shelter cannot have a closeable door. In other words, restaurants cannot have special "smokers' huts" where food and beverages are served.
Although there are no exact estimates on numbers of shelters ordered by employers, restaurants, and bars, many estimate demand for these huts has gone through the roof - so to speak. Since the ban was imposed several weeks ago, one manufacturer, Tafco Corporation of Melrose Park IL, estimates their business has doubled. Duo-Gard Industries of Canton MI does business in several states, and says its annual business has increased over the last few years, as more states enact regulations sending smokers outside.
Even shelters that are heated, however, are used far less in cold winter weather. "Clearly when conditions get to negative [degrees], let's face it, it can be challenging," Chis Corrado, of Pair A Dice Casino in East Peoria IL says.
Although many smoking foes might bristle at the expenditure of so much money to accommodate smokers, these huts do keep smokers away from those that desire smoke-free facilities. Perhaps smoking out in a hut, in the cold, however, might convince a smoker or two to consider snuffing out their smoking habit - and keep warmer in the cold winter months around Chicago.
Read the entire story by Liam Ford in today's Chicago Tribune.
