Minneci’s restaurant officially went smoke free on April 11. The decision is in line with a trend developing across the country.

Several establishments in Champaign-Urbana have followed suit and independently chosen to go smoke free, including Papa Del’s, 206 E. Green St.

In 2006, Chicago went smoke free. Urbana and Champaign have debated proposals to put such laws into effect.

Joe Minneci has owned and operated the restaurant, at 401 S. First St., since 1983. He said the non-smoking section always filled quickly, and people were left waiting for tables, despite open seats in the smoking section.

“The tolerance just isn’t there anymore,” Minneci said.

About six months ago, Minneci made the restaurant smoke free on weekends. Customers came on weekends to support Minneci’s decision. He eventually chose to go completely smoke free out of concern for his workers’ and customers’ health and happiness.

“The situation was becoming uncomfortable for some of my customers,” Minneci said. “I had to make the decision one way or the other and I’m happy with the one I’ve made. I think the decision should be left up to each owner. Especially for bars where people aren’t eating and aren’t with their families.”

The restaurant plans to make an area away from the entrance with ashtrays and a canopy. However, many smoking patrons are not happy with these types of accommodations.

Amir Lusky, freshman in LAS, said he has been a social smoker for four years.

“It’s a matter of free will,” Lusky said. “I choose to smoke just like other people choose not to smoke. I don’t think it’s fair to say that a person has to leave the restaurant because of a choice they’ve made when other people don’t have to leave to drink alcohol, and that is just as bad for your health.”

Lusky also said city- and state-wide smoking bans are counterintuitive.

“If the government is not going to make the sale of tobacco illegal, then they are just going around in circles,” Lusky said. “Why discourage people from using something that accounts for so much of our economy and influences law-making bodies?”

Consumers in the U.S. spent $88 billion on tobacco products in 2002, according to a report prepared by Jasper Womach, agricultural policy specialist at the University of Kentucky.

Despite arguments for smoker’s rights, there is a significant portion of the population who choose to be smoke-free and frequent establishments that cater to their preferences.

Nikki Hillier, health educator for the Champaign County Public Health Department, is affiliated with the Illinois Smoke-Free Recognition Program.

Hillier said the program puts out a restaurant guide that informs diners of establishments that are certified smoke free.

“It’s ultimately a business decision,” Hillier said. “Most businesses find that when they go smoke free, there is either a slight increase, or no change in the amount of business they do.

Hillier also said that businesses choose to go smoke free for the benefit of their employees’ health.

The Environmental Protection Agency has done air quality tests in restaurants. They found the dangerous elements in the air are several times higher than the E.P.A. recommendations, even in non-smoking areas. This may not affect patrons as much as workers, who are subject to prolonged exposure, Hillier said.

“It’s hard to please everyone,” Minneci said. “In the end, my loyal customers will remain loyal despite changes. I have to do what I think is best for everyone, and I stand by it.”