Illinois smoking ban tamps down puffing at pipe convention
Saturday, 3-May-2008 6:51PM EDT Story from AP
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press (via ClariNet)

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Associated Press/AP Online
ST. CHARLES, Ill. - There will be no indoor smoking at a
large convention for pipe smokers in Illinois.


A new Illinois law bans smoking in public places. That's taken some of the steam out of this weekend's Chicagoland International Pipe & Tobacciana Show in St. Charles.

The event draws 4,000 pipe collectors from more than 60 countries. Organizers tried to get around the new law by arguing their gathering was a private club meeting. Police and health officials said no.

Instead, a large smoking tent has been set up 15 feet away from the Pheasant Run convention center.

Convention-goer Al Shinogle of Denver likens it to a wine tasting without the wine.

It's hard to comment on a story like this. It's just so ridiculous what can you say?

Smoking Bans may be a boon to owners of large parking lots in front of closed big box stores. Being outside, paved, lighted, and available for thousands to mingle when the weather is pleasant.

Forget about holding conventions in enclosed spaces, plan them during pleasant weather in an unused parking lot of closed shopping areas, stadiums, air ports, amusement or office parks.

What was Woodstock before rock and roll took over.