Although most members of an ad hoc committee in Buffalo Grove seem to support the concept of a smoking ban, the devil, as always, is in the details.

After a public hearing on the issue last Wednesday, the group sat down and went through where, exactly, a ban would be enacted.

The group considered a list of 11 exemptions, including golf courses and nursing home facilities.

A major concern was whether smoking should be prohibited at all outdoor venues, including parks and sidewalks. Since the park district already has its own ban on all its facilities, their parks are covered.

The committee decided smoking should be banned only in enclosed spaces, but members considered restricting smoking during large public events, such as Buffalo Grove Days. Those events would include a small smoking section.

The ban would also include bars inside restaurants (Buffalo Grove has no free-standing bars).

The group, which is made up of trustees and representatives from the park district, restaurants, the board of health, the Chamber of Commerce and other interested organizations, may meet March 30 to go over any final details of the draft ordinance if that is deemed necessary.

The village board is scheduled to look at the ordinance at its April 3 meeting.

Courtesy of the Daily Herald.