Smoking ban tamps down puffing at pipe convention

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.