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Urbana joins list of cities to ban smoking in public places 

Urbana and the Chicago suburb of Oak Park have joined a growing list of Illinois cities that prohibit smoking in most public places, including restaurants and bars.

The Urbana City Council voted 6-1 Monday night to approve the no-smoking ordinance. It will be effective Aug. 1 in restaurants and restaurant lounges, but bars will not have to comply until early next year.

"These things take time," said attorney Tom Koester, who represents owners of 10 Urbana bars. He persuaded the council to extend the deadline for posting no-smoking signs until Jan. 1, 2007.

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