Don't bother to light up at Old Orchard
Bob Jones often eats at the food court at Westfield Old Orchard and then heads outside to the common area and enjoys a cigarette.
Beginning March 15, Jones will no longer be able to light up at the outdoor shopping center in Skokie. The mall is the first in the area to take the state-wide smoking ban a step further in not allowing shoppers or employees to smoke on any of the sidewalks or common areas outside stores.
Signs go up Saturday when the Fresh Air Fabulous campaign kicks off. Jones, who has been smoking for 40 years, was shocked when he heard of the tougher rules.
"They can't stop me from smoking outside, can they? As long as I'm 15 feet from the door, it should be OK," the Skokie man said. "As long as I'm not smoking inside, I should be fine."
Not so, according to Westfield officials. Signs will be posted and security officials will be enforcing the tougher standards, according to Amy Benson, marketing director for Westfield Old Orchard.
"Security will inform people that smoking is only allowed off the property and off the sidewalks," she said. "This is much better for everyone," Benson added.
Many shoppers at the upscale center applaud the effort.
"I see no reason people need to be smoking in an area where there are many children," said Kelley Wyant while eating at the food court last week. "I think it's a good thing," agreed Doug Merkel of Highland Park.
"It's a nice thing to walk outside and not have to worry about the smoke," said former smoker Liz Delgenio.
Some Old Orchard employees who smoke are not thrilled with the new policy. Others say they will find ways around the rule to get their nicotine fix.
Cyrus Hosseini, an employee at Armani Exchange designer clothing store, said he'll attempt to go to the parking lot or across the street, wherever smoking is allowed. The 23-year-old Morton Grove resident said he's not a heavy smoker, so it shouldn't be that difficult for him to get through the day.
Other outdoor shopping centers and lifestyle centers in the area follow the state law that prohibits outdoor smoking within 15 feet of all doors and windows.
"We abide by the state law and local ordinances," said Konda Dees, marketing director at Deer Park Town Center. She said the mall has not discussed plans to change its smoking policy.
She added that there's so many doors at the lifestyle center that there aren't many places to smoke anyway.
Westfield Old Orchard is teaming with the American Cancer Society to mark the launch of the new policy Saturday. Daffodil Days, a Celebration of Hope, will run from noon to 4 p.m. Fresh daffodils, the first flower of spring and a symbol of hope to those affected by cancer, will be available for purchase in the food court.