Indoor smoking banned at pipe tobacco convention

YouNewsTV™

Story Published: May 3, 2008 at 3:28 PM PDT

Story Updated: May 3, 2008 at 3:28 PM PDT

By Associated Press

ST. CHARLES, Ill. (AP) - There will be no indoor smoking at a large convention for pipe smokers in Illinois.

A new Illinois law bans smoking in public places. That's taken some of the steam out of this weekend's Chicagoland International Pipe & Tobacciana Show in St. Charles.

The event draws 4,000 pipe collectors from more than 60 countries. Organizers tried to get around the new law by arguing their gathering was a private club meeting. Police and health officials said no.

Instead, a large smoking tent has been set up 15 feet away from the Pheasant Run convention center.

Convention-goer Al Shinogle of Denver likens it to a wine tasting without the wine.

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