A no-smoking policy, that would expand DeKalb’s existing ordinance by further restricting use of tobacco in the workplace, is under consideration by the DeKalb City Council.

The council will discuss the proposal at its Aug. 8 meeting.

“We have an ordinance on the books now. This new law would enhance what we have,” DeKalb Mayor Greg Sparrow said.

DeKalb City Manager Mark Stevens said, “The purpose of getting the word out is to make sure people who have an interest in the ordinance have an opportunity to express their opinions.”

The policy is still in the discussion phase, said 2nd Ward Alderman Michael Welsh, who made the motion at the July 25 DeKalb City Council meeting requesting consideration of the topic.

“(The proposed policy) pretty much follows what NIU is doing,” he said. “It designates places to be set aside for smoking and calls for each workplace to develop a plan.”

The anti-smoking ordinance reflects a change in the publics’ attitudes and tolerance toward smoking, Welsh said.

“The public’s perception of reasonableness changes each year,” he said. “Society’s idea of the correct procedure about smoking has altered.”

The proposed policy restricts smoking in public places during the hours they are open. These include art galleries, libraries, museums, classrooms, restaurants, elevators, health-care facilities, public vehicles, places where public meetings are held, retail stores, theaters, sports arenas, office waiting areas, restaurants and other places where individuals congregate, the policy states.

Restaurants with seating capacities of more than 19 must designate 50 percent of their space as no-smoking.

Also, existing physical barriers and ventilation systems must be used when possible to minimize the smoke drifting into adjacent no-smoking areas, the policy states.

Welsh said, “This does not require restaurant owners to build or change rooms.”

Bars and cocktail lounges are not affected by the policy.

The proposed policy also would have an impact on other workplaces. Employers must maintain a written smoking policy with several provisions. These include a statement providing that an employer must attempt to reach a reasonable accommodation between preferences of smokers and nonsmokers.

Smoking also might be permitted in private, enclosed offices. Businesses must prohibit smoking in auditoriums, elevators, medical facilities, conference rooms and rooms containing photocopy machines or other office equipment used in common by employees. At least 50 percent of the seating capacity of cafeterias, lunchrooms and employee lounges must become non-smoking areas. If there are two or more lounges, one might be designated as a smoking area. Businesses must establish a procedure to resolve employee disputes resulting from the no-smoking policy. Also, employers must provide a statement to protect employees exercising their rights from adverse personnel action.