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Last updated 8:51 am CT February 09, 2010.
West Frankfort Business Owner Holds 'Smoke-in'
The first ever "smoke-in" was held in West Frankfort and folks from across the region--and the country--turned out.
West Frankfort was a smokers paradise on Saturday, but for the folks that came to the protest, it was more than just standing outside in the nice weather--This was supposed to send a message.
"Our government keeps taking away and chipping...away at our rights, what we feel is our rights," said Mona Coyler.
Colyer owns Colyer 212 lounge in West Frankfort. She says businesses around the area are struggling to deal with the smoking ban.
"You know we went through a prohibition on alcohol it looks like we would have learned a lesson, prohibition does not work," Colyer said.
Protestors had plenty of support throughout the day. Drivers honked their horns as they drove by as signs and shirts saying "we smoke, we vote" were on display.
Protestors from as far way as West Virginia showed up to the "smoke in"
They are upset that there was never a vote on the smoking ban.
"The state says then you are mature enough to make your own decisions well evidently not, they're making our decisions for us," Colyer said.
One interesting note: The smoke in was organized by a man who doesn't even smoke.
But he has a sign in front of his business welcoming smokers in.
"Stand up for your rights," said owner Jon Hemminghaus. "You can still put a sign up, everybody put a sign up, by golly that ain't against the law yet."
State's attorney Chuck Garnati said earlier in the week he wouldn't issue fines since this event wasn't in violation of the smoking ban's purpose, which he says is to protect non-smokers.
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