Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for January 22, 2008 SMOKIN'

First there were drive-by shootings...now it's drive-thru smoking!

Drive Thru's Halt Smoking Due To Illinois Ban

Call it an un-intended consequence of Illinois' statewide smoking ban. Hundreds of complaints pouring in as drivers and businesses learn you can't smoke in your car in the drive thru lane.

No one intended for it to happen but the law clearly says that smoking is banned in all public places, including 15 feet around entrances, exits and windows. That includes all drive-thru’s, restaurants, dry cleaners, pharmacies and banks.

A spokesperson for the American Lung Association in Illinois says they're getting hundreds of calls from all over the state from drive-thru workers who are complaining about driver's ignoring the smoke ban.

Meanwhile, drivers are shocked to learn lighting-up in their own car is no longer allowed.

“I paid for this car, I should be able to do what I want inside it,” said Rhonda Whitecotton.

Rhonda Whitecotton is not giving up her nicotine habit for fries and a quarter-pounder or any other drive-thru service.

“And I wouldn't if they told me to. They can write me a ticket if I can't smoke indoors anymore it's gonna be so bad I can't smoke in my own home,” sadi Whitecotton.

Whitecotton says her mini-van is like her second home and she wants the state to stay out of it.

But it’s workers, not managers driving this butt-out-in-the- drive-thru policy. Hundreds calling the state from across Illinois.

15-hundred customers a day roll through this McDonald's on Deyoung Street. Manager Barb Milleur says most have been polite, others irate, when told about the drive-thru ban.

“I can't help if someone does get irate. I just hope they would understand we're just simply trying to comply with what the law states,” said Milleur.

The drive-thru ban is already costing some business. With upset smoking customers driving off and refusing to pay when asked to stop.

Mike Zelma is passing through from Ohio and says this "thank you for not smoking" drive-thru notice really caught him off-guard.

“That’s unbelievable. That’s outside. It's in your car you should be able to do what you want a drive thru's a drive thru,” said Zelma.

Businesses can request these signs to post in their drive-thrus to alert customers. The state is waiting to see how many more complaints come in before they can gauge this drive-thru dillema.

Both the smokers and businesses could face hefty fines if they violate this law; One hundred to two hundred fifty dollars for individuals and businesses up to twenty-five hundred dollars for each violation.