DeKALB | Those who dine out now have a choice to either remain in good company while fighting off nicotine cravings, or be good company by stepping outside to curtail the effects of withdrawal.

A recent U.S. study measured when signs of nicotine withdrawal started in 50 people who normally smoke one pack per day.

As half of the participants smoked continuously, the other half abstained. Every 30 minutes, the groups were tested for signs of withdrawal. Within the first half hour, the abstaining group tested positive.

Symptoms common to nicotine withdrawal include irritability, headaches, difficulty concentrating and fatigue, according to http://quitsmoking.about.com/.

Illinois is following states like New York and California by making more cities smoke-free. Within the state, DeKalb and cities like Chicago have implemented smoking bans in restaurants and bars.

This new law, however, does not mean seclusion for smokers.

“People are still going to eat. People are still going to smoke,” said senior sociology major Erin Stewart. “It will just take 10 minutes longer. People won’t stop going out to eat completely just because they can’t smoke.”

Although a ban may serve as an annoyance to smokers, there are benefits.

“With the smoking bans implemented in New York and California, rates of smoking [have gone] down and there has been a decrease in negative health effects in the community,” said Mary Strohm, health educator at Health Enhancement. “The positive effects from the other states can be mirrored in DeKalb. The DeKalb smoking ban will not change NIU’s campus, [with] the dorms [already being] smoke-free since 2003.”

While class times on campus vary, it is possible that, according to the results of the study, smokers have to fight off nicotine withdrawal toward the end of every class.

“I do not just leave class for a cigarette,” said sophomore English major Elizabeth Rivera. “My mind is on anything else but the class and, definitely, the cravings start. With nothing else on my mind, and class not occupying it, that’s when I want to smoke.”

Whenever someone in a restaurant or bar wants to smoke, they currently have to leave the establishment. While this may be a hindrance for some smokers, not all smokers have a negative attitude about it.

“Chicago has a smoking ban everywhere,” Rivera said. “I don’t need to be at a bar to smoke; I can smoke in my car.”

Rivera’s opinions on the ban extend to those who implement them.

“The government is trying to control people,” she said. “Of course smoking is bad, but when there is a smoking ban, the government is choosing for you.”

Sammie Coon, a junior political science major, understands the ban, but also extends sympathy toward smokers.

“I can understand [the ban] at family places, [but] people who don’t smoke don’t understand,” she said. “It is an addiction just like any drug.”

Katie Trusk is a City Reporter for the Northern Star.