Illinois's public places to become smoke-free

Illinois governor has signed a law Monday banning smoking statewide in all public places – including restaurants, workplaces and bars.

Under the law, people will still be allowed to smoke in their homes, cars, outdoors, at retail tobacco shops and in certain hotel or motel rooms.

Smokers who violate the law could be fined between $100 (EUR72.35) and $250 (EUR180.9). Businesses that repeatedly violate the law could be fined at least $2,500 (EUR1,808.8).

Fifteen states and the District of Columbia have indoor smoking bans and laws have been passed in another seven states including Illinois, but not have not yet taken effect, according to Thomas Carr, manager of national policy for the American Lung Association.

Several European countries have banned smoking in public spaces, including Ireland, Germany and France. Britain became the latest country to ban smoking in enclosed public spaces, including restaurants and pubs, on July 1.

All 27 European Union countries have rules limiting smoking in public, but those rules vary from country to country.