DECATUR - Anti-smoking campaigners are crossing their fingers and biting their nails.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich is expected to decide this month whether he'll sign a measure that would allow municipalities of any size to regulate smoking in public places.

Currently, only 21 cities in Illinois have the power to enact regulations exceeding the 1989 Clean Indoor Air Act, according the American Lung Association chapter in Springfield.

While some business owners question the economic impact of a mandated smoking ban, nearly 100 businesses in Macon County already have voluntarily stamped out tobacco. Surrounding counties have done the same. The Illinois Department of Public Health recognized 180 smoke-free businesses in Sangamon County and more than 20 in each of Christian, Logan, Piatt and Shelby counties.

Take a Seat at the Depot in Bethany is one of 13 smoke-free businesses in Moultrie County. The cafe, ice cream parlor and gift shop has disallowed smoking since opening in October 2003. Owner Cheryl Martin said she didn't want herself or the merchandise to smell like smoke, nor did she want secondhand smoke to affect the health of employees or patrons.

Secondhand smoke is responsible for about 38,000 deaths of nonsmokers each year, including 3,000 lung cancer deaths and 35,000 deaths related to heart disease, according to National Cancer Institute. Children also are affected, with about 300,000 lower respiratory tract infections each year.

Grass-roots efforts are spreading awareness among neighbors of the 21 cities that currently can enact smoking bans, said Matt Maloney, director of health policy for the American Lung Association of Metropolitan Chicago.

Support, however, varies for restaurants versus taverns.

Decatur bar owner Chris Chiligiris said he understands why restaurants go smoke-free but said bar patrons expect a smoky atmosphere.

If a ban were mandated, he said he would not fear for business at the Lincoln Lounge or the Cornerstone Tavern.

"People would still come in," he said, but then they would stand outside the front door to smoke. In effect, Chiligiris said, he would have to ensure people do not take their drinks outside with them.

House Bill 672 would not mandate communities to go completely smoke-free. Skokie, for instance, exempted bowling alleys, according to Maloney.

The Macon County Tobacco Coalition supports any step toward regulating indoor smoking, said coalition Chairman Tom Schneider, a Macon County sheriff's lieutenant. If the governor signs the measure, Schneider said the coalition would then approach local leaders to determine whether they supported any type of ban.

Bethany Carson can be reached at bcarson@;herald-review.com or 421-6968.