This is what happens when you ban smoking in bars….

Seriously…the evil eye has been cast on smoking, and it’s no small wonder things like this happen.  People are not always going to go outside to smoke, and if you give them no alternative (ie, a unilateral smoking ban vs letting the business owner decide) they will take matters in their own hands.  Considering how tightly wrapped people are and how confrontational they have become…I could see this being a powder keg.

 

Cops: Bathroom smoking incident leads to stabbing

A man was charged with stabbing a security guard after he and his girlfriend were caught smoking in the bathroom of a west suburban Naperville bar early this morning.

At 1:32 a.m., Naperville police were called to 16 Jefferson Avenue after a report of a stabbing, according to a release from police. Blackfinn American Saloon is located at that address, according to an online directory and the police news release.

According to the report, the incident began when Adam Hearn, 31, and his girlfriend Kelly Cihlar, 25, had been caught smoking a cigarette in the bathroom, and the bar's security staff asked the couple to smoke outside.

Hearn then allegedly became verbally abusive, according to police, and the couple was asked to leave. As the couple was being escorted out of the bar, a fight broke out between Hearn and a security guard, police said, and Hearn pulled out a knife and stabbed a security guard in the abdomen. Other security guards then subdued Hearn until police were able to arrive, the release said.

The security guard was treated on the scene and then taken to Edward Hospital where he underwent surgery for his injuries, the release said. Police did not give a condition for the guard.

Hearn, of the 900 block of South Main Street in Lombard, is charged with aggravated battery with a weapon, aggravated battery with great bodily harm, and possession of a weapon by a felon, all Class 3 felonies.

Cihlar, of the 2700 block of Mohawk Avenue in Woodridge, was also arrested and charged with obstruction of a police officer, resisting arrest, battery, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of cannabis.