Amid threats, man goes on with 'Smoke In' (Spread the word)

[kster]

By Tara Fasol, the southern
Tuesday, February 26, 2008 3:14 PM CST

WEST FRANKFORT - A call from authorities hasn't halted one West Frankfort man's plans to host a peaceful protest against the state's recently implemented Smoke-Free laws.

John Hemminghaus has been passing out flyers and making phone calls to invite as many people as he can reach to a March 1 event he is calling a "Smoke In."

"This country was founded on civil disobedience," Hemminghaus said in a previous interview. "It has gotten to where, now, people are afraid to get into trouble. It kind of makes me mad that everybody has turned into cowards."

Monday afternoon, Hemminghaus said he was recently contacted by Williamson County State's Attorney Chuck Garnati in regards to his plans.

"Chuck said I would be taken into custody and get a $2,500 fine," he said. "Nobody I know can find where anybody in Illinois has been arrested yet."


http://www.southernillinoisan.com/articles/2008/02/26/front_page/23514989.txt

[JDPriestly]

1. His "protest" will probably be ignored.

It always takes a while before smokers start to enjoy the fact that their own environment is not stinky and smoke-filled.

[Wizard777]

2. Tobacco smokers like pot smokers don't find it to be "stinky."

[tritsofme]

3. I was both of those at one point in my life, and I still didn't like my house to smell like

either.

[LeftyMom]

4. Hey, my mom has no sense of smell and still doesn't want to smell like cigs.

She knows that other people can smell it, that it's gross, and she gets really embarrassed when somebody notices.

I don't think longtime smokers realize how foul that stale ashtray smell that their clothes get is. It's nauseating, at least as nasty as really foul BO.

Pipe and cigar smokers generally don't smell bad, but that stuff is blended to be aromatic, not maximally poisonous, and it burns cooler.

[madokie]

17. One of our couple friends both smoke and when we return from a visit we both have to take a quick

shower and put the clothes we had on in the washer because of the smell. We both used to smoke years ago ourselves and can't believe how much cigarettes smell the place up even though we didn't smoke we still smell like we did.

[Bandit]

5. I want a Piss in

I want to be able to go into any public place and piss all over anyone I feel like and their food or drink. I think that is less obnoxious than someone smoking all over people and their food and drink. Why do smokers insist upon bringing their filth into public places?

[kster]

7. Find out where there is an owner allowing a piss in

then go to it. :shrug:

[hendo]

6. Sorry, I can't support him

cigarette smoke is disgusting. It is banned in restaurants and public buildings in Colorado, but all that means is that the smokers all huddle around the door in the winter. I really hate having to walk through a cloud of smoke just to get in anywhere.

[High Plains]

10. Ah, the law of unintended consequences.

You force the smokers outside, then complain about it. Quit yer bitchin'.

[NeedleCast]

16. Now that makes me laugh

Ban smoking in buildings then bitch about it when smokers smoke outside. That's brilliant.

[hendo]

18. Technically

they are supposed to stay 60 feet away from the doors according to the law. So damn straight I am going to b*tch about it.

[Snarkturian Clone]

8. See people, here's an American hero.

A small business owner of a boat repair shop that wants to be able to smoke at the business that he owns. I would go join him but I don't smoke.

Why the fuck shouldn't this guy be allowed to smoke in his own small repair shop? The small group of non-smokers that are SOOO annoyed by smoke that they can't go to this repair shop can find another one. I mean really, it's a boat repair shop, there are probably plenty of other fumes in the air that are of more concern.

I wish people weren't such crybaby hypochondriacs. I'm allergic to cig smoke and I know how to adapt to my environment. Why do others need the government to make their decisions?

[kster]

20. I believe he is a Non-Smoker. I'll try

to find the link.

[High Plains]

9. "My Place, My Choice, Smoking Allowed"

More from the article:

Hemminghaus owns Wounded Rig Inc. - a boat fiberglass and gel coat repair shop - located on Illinois 37, just south of West Frankfort, although he falls under the jurisdiction of the Williamson County Sheriff's Department.

He said Garnati told him that law enforcement would be present at his event if he couldn't be talked out of hosting the rally.

Hemminghaus said he cannot be persuaded to back down and instead called the Illinois Smoker Rights organization and also contacted a national smoker rights group. As for fines and punishment he might face, Hemminghaus said he will skip vacation to spend his money on the cause he backs, even though he stopped smoking about five years ago.

Beverly Irvin of Orient, a smoker, said she fully backs Hemminghaus' attempts to bring to light the injustice that has been inflicted upon businesses owners. "It's a good idea," she said. "That man owns his business and he should be able to do what he wants, anyways. I think it's good."

Hemminghaus said others are also on his side, including several other non-smokers. The man is so determined to have his point heard he has posted a large sign in the front yard of his business, which reads "My Place, My Choice, Smoking Allowed."

[hendo]

21. So let me get this straight

The guy successfully quit smoking, and now he is going to pick it back up to make a point? Not so bright, is he?

[SidDithers]

11. Ummm, wouldn't smoking in a boat & fibreglass repair facility...

be kinda dangerous?

Be quite the "smoke in" if he blows himself up.

Other than that, I hope they jail and fine his ass.

Sid

[High Plains]

12. Another freedom-loving' DUer.

Do you really want this guy jailed and fined for smoking in his own shop? That's pretty telling.

Any other behaviors you'd like to criminalize?

[SidDithers]

14. No, just the ones already against the law...

but you're right. Jail is probably too severe.

I'm OK with fines, tho.

Sid

[Javaman]

13. Amid threats, man goes on with 'cancer boosting' (Spread the word) nt

[High Plains]

15. If you don't attend, you should be just fine.

[VP505]

19. Real bright

that Mr Hemminghaus must be, risking heart & lung disease and exposing himself to more cancer causing chemicals in protest of not being able to expose others to heart & lung disease and cancer causing chemicals.