Illinois Enacts Strong Anti-Smoking Law

Alongside all the bad news about health dangers that we need to be aware of, it is refreshing to end the year by taking a look at a positive story. The State of Illinois is starting the New Year off by giving the tobacco industry another much deserved blow. Following on the heels of a strict Chicago law that severely restricted indoor smoking beginning in 2005, Illinois officials are instituting this legislation that now distinguishes it as one of the toughest states on smokers.

I find this to be an encouraging trend that hopefully will become more common in the near future. I am sure that the tobacco industry, restauranteurs, and other interest groups put up a significant amount of money to block this legislation, and it is very satisfying to see them go down in defeat. We have a long way to go in this country as far as changing the unhealthy lifestyles that are too often associated with Americans, but continuing to crack down on smoking, especially among our young people, is definitely a step in the right direction. Even more so when we take into account all the herbicides and pesticides used in growing tobacco that get transferred to the lungs of consumers. In addition, second hand smoke has proved to be just as dangerous as if you were puffing on the cigarette yourself! Perhaps we are one step closer to the reality of a smoke-free environment that relegates tobacco use to a memory of the distant past. Hopefully we will continue to educate ourselves and decide to make these choices without the government doing it for us.


Get ready to clear the air
SMOKING BAN New Year's timing hit, but health benefits cited
December 28, 2007
BY JIM RITTER Health Reporter/jritter@suntimes.com

Happy New Year. Now, put out that cigarette.

At the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve, Illinois will ban virtually all indoor smoking in public spaces, including bars and restaurants.

Bad timing, said Sheila O'Grady of the Illinois Restaurant Association.

"To become effective in the middle of New Year's Eve celebrations is not ideal," O'Grady said.

However, O'Grady predicted that restaurants will comply. And if past experience is any guide, she's probably right.

Chicago restricted indoor smoking in 2005, and so far this year, the city has received only 119 smoking-related complaints, the public health department said.

Under the Smoke-Free Illinois Act, just about the only places left where you can smoke indoors will be private cars and homes.

Smoking will be banned in offices, factory floors, stores, private clubs, prisons, bowling alleys, dormitories, stadiums, casinos, elevators and restrooms.

Smoking also will be banned within 15 feet of entrances, exits and windows.

Ask, tell, call 311
Smoking will still be allowed in private rooms in nursing homes, in up to 25 percent of hotel rooms and in tobacco shops and hookah bars that don't serve food or alcohol.

Smokers could be fined as much as $250. Businesses could be fined at least $250 for the first violation and at least $2,500 for a third violation within a year.

The city offers this advice if you see a violation: Ask the smoker to put the cigarette out, then inform the management. And if that doesn't work, call 311. After three complaints, the city will send an inspector to investigate.

Outside Chicago, call the Cook County Public Health Department, (708) 492-2000, or the Illinois Public Health Department, (866) 973-4646.

Health advocates say the law will protect workers. In addition to cancer, secondhand smoke can cause stroke, heart disease, respiratory ailments and sudden infant death syndrome. Studies have found secondhand smoke kills 65,000 Americans each year, including eight people in Illinois every day.

A 2005 survey found that 72 percent of Illinois adults said smoking should be banned from work and 73 percent said it should be banned from restaurants.

But the Illinois Licensed Beverage Association says bars, restaurants and nightclubs could lose business to neighboring states. And a casino trade group has warned that casinos could lose as much as 20 percent of their business, costing the state as much as $144 million in lost tax revenue.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/716561,CST-NWS-smoke28.article#