Smokeful Chicago

As a compassionate, respectful and moderate smoker since long before any anti smoking law was passed anywhere, I’m really puzzled by triumphal campaigns such as the Congratulations Illinois for your smoke-free year series of ads currently on Tv. There’s even a doctor saying that his patiens now breathe much better. Do they? Where do they live? Not in Chicago, among the most smokeful cities I’ve ever visited: most buildings are overheated (and emit proud columns of thick smoke all day long), smelly diesel trucks roam freely the streets of the city, people use the car even for very short journeys – always one per car – and leave it running while they shop for organic bean sprouts. So yes, I agree, people shouldn’t smoke in public places, restaurants should be cigarette-free, children and persons with pulmonary problems should be well protected. As for a truly smoke-free Illinois, I hope to live long enough to see that day, but the chances are very slim.