Smoke-Free Dining
Directory of 100% Smoke-Free Restaurants in Will County
Restaurants in this guide were contacted by telephone and through visits to the establishments. Restaurants are included if permission was
granted at the time of the in-person survey or follow-up call. Will County has over 300 smoke-free restaurants. These restaurants are conveniently
listed in the Will County Smoke-Free Dining Guide. To obtain a guide call 815-727-8769.
To be listed in this guide a restaurant must meet the following criteria:
- Be 100% smoke-free at all times and in all areas of the restaurant and grounds.
- Offer sit down dining.
- Be open to the general public for service (excludes schools, churches, day cares.)
If a restaurant is not listed in this guide, it meets the above criteria, and you would like it to be included, please contact 815-727-8769.
A special thank you to the staff of the Will County Health Department's Environmental Health Division and Tobacco Control &
Prevention Program for their assistance and dedication in surveying all of Will County's restaurants.
If You Want Smoke-Free Dining, Here's What You Can Do
- Patronize only 100% smoke-free restaurants.
- Ask your local and state legislators to consider an ordinance or law that would require all restaurants to become smoke-free.
- Encourage your favorite restaurants to become 100% smoke-free.
- Ask to speak to the owner or manager. If the excuse for not being smoke-free is that the restaurant will lose business, inform them of
these facts:
- According to a 1993 National Restaurant Association survey, more than half of all Americans choose smoke-free restaurants over
ones that allow smoking.
- Studies and sales tax data indicate that smoke-free policies usually boost business.
- If restaurants do lose a few smokers in the beginning, they can count on gaining non-smokers from smoky competitors once patrons
learn about the new clean indoor air policy.
- Over 300 restaurants in Will County have become smoke-free. The numbers will continue to increase as restaurant owners realize
the benefits of operating a smoke-free restaurant.
- Additional benefits of smoke-free restaurants include:
- Saving a lot of money. Tobacco smoke causes walls and ceilings to yellow, which requires more frequent painting. Booths, tablecloths,
and carpets are accessible to burn holes. Also carpets and draperies need cleaning and replacing more often due to tobacco
smoke.
- No more ashtrays.
- Seating and reservations are easier with only a non-smoking section. Hostesses need only ask "how many" will be dining.
- People with asthma, allergies, and other respiratory problems feel more comfortable when dining in smoke-free restaurants.
- People with asthma, allergies, and other respiratory problems feel more comfortable when dining in smoke-free restaurants.
- Parents concerned about protecting their children's health and safety prefer smoke-free restaurants.
- There is less employee illness and absenteeism due to exposure to secondhand smoke.
- Their restaurant will be listed in the Will County Smoke-Free Dining Guide along with other free program advertising.