Illinois
All Illinois workers, residents, and visitors in the Land of Lincoln are protected from secondhand smoke in all indoor public places. Illinois' smokefree statewide law has been in effect since January 1, 2008 and protects workers and residents across the state, including those working in bars and casinos. The law remains very popular with residents of Illinois.
Since the smokefree law took effect, smokefree advocates have successfully defeated numerous attempts by the Illinois Gaming Association to weaken the law to exempt casinos. Today, the law remains strong and protects all workers' right to breathe smokefree air.
To file a complaint call 866-973-4646 or visit www.SmokefreeIllinois.org
In 2005, former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich signed House Bill 672 into law which returned control to the local level by allowing home-rule municipalities to enact smokefree air laws. In 2006, preemption was fully repealed to allow all non-home-rule municipalities and counties to enact smokefree air laws.
Senator Durbin Commends Illinois for Winning ANR Smokefree Challenge Award
Smokefree advocates in Champaign, Illinois get the message out about secondhand smoke.
In May, 2006, the Champaign, Illinois City Council passed a strong smokefree law for public places and workplaces in Champaign.
Read more about current tobacco-related legislation in Illinois.
Illinois' 2010 Legislative Session: January 11 - May 7 (est.)
State Quitline Number: -866-QUIT-YES (784-8937)
American Cancer Society Quitline: 800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669)
| Smokefree News |
| City cracks down on hookah 'super-bars' When Chicago banned smoking in bars and restaurants five years ago, it inadvertently created a loophole exploited by hookah bars that serve flavored tobacco. They turned into "super-bars" that allow patrons, some of them under-age, to bring in their own liquor and food or have food delivered. Some even offered live music without the required public place of amusement (PPA) license. On Tuesday, the loophole originally intended for cigar and tobacco shop sampling was closed. At the behest of North Side Aldermen Pat O'Connor (40th) and Marge Laurino (39th), the City Council's Zoning Committee agreed to require hookah bars to obtain "special use permits" that need authorization from local residents and the Zoning Board of Appeals. "If the neighborhood had an opportunity to say whether this is a use they wanted, most likely it would be no," O'Connor said. "There's under-age drinkers that go in. When people leave, it's like taverns used to be: loud, disruptive to the neighborhood....It basically becomes like private clubhouses for kids who couldn't go into a bar and drink legally." ... Kane County decides against enacting outdoor smoking ban Smokers in Kane County can breathe easy now that county board members snuffed out a call for a ban on outdoor smoking Tuesday. The county began researching a potential ban after a private citizen from Aurora approached the county board's development committee last month. Stacy Blaszak told the committee members she has a respiratory condition and outdoor smoking often impinges on her right and need to breathe as well as compromises her health and the health of babies and pets. County staffers spent the last month researching any precedent for an outdoor smoking ban. At the most, communities have addressed the issue by inserting a clause into their public nuisance laws to address any unusual circumstances involving smoking, the staff reported. evelopment Director Mark VanKerkhoff said even organizations with missions to curb smoking said they only get a few of inquiries a year about how to institute an outdoor or residential smoking ban. ... Vote on smoking ban near hospitals tabled VALPARAISO -- The possibility of restricting smoking in public areas near hospitals hit a glitch Monday. The City Council tabled voting for the change in the city's smoking ordinance, which restricts smoking in public businesses, buildings a... Kane to review question on smoking ban Canton looks at local smoking ban Council still haggling over smoking ban Officials see support for ban on smoking Feds to help CHA tenants kick habit The Chicago Housing Authority's Roosevelt Square development will gradually go smoke-free as part of a federally funded pilot program announced Thursday. Under the proposed plan, new tenants in the West Side development would have the option of choosing a smoke-free residence. And smokers already living in Roosevelt Square who want to quit would be paired with CHA residents trained as smoking-cessation counselors. ... Kane could expand county's smoke-free zone GENEVA -- The Kane County Human Services Committee briefly discussed a proposal Wednesday to expand the existing smoke-free rule for county buildings to include the entire campus. Concerns over smoke drifting into county buildings from nearby smokers in part prompted the proposal. Some board members huffed and puffed over the extent of such a ban. "We're not entirely blazing a new trail. It's just for discussion," said committee chairman Mark Davoust. The county Health Department and Kane County Animal Control already have campus-wide bans, and this would be a logical progression, Davoust said. ... Galesburg may target smoking ban City officials are planning a crackdown on smokers who flout the ban on lighting up in bars and public places. Aldermen will discuss a proposal Monday that would allow the city to enforce violations of the state smoking ban under its municipal code. Enforcement of the state smoking ban, which was instituted over two years ago, has been patchy. But if the proposal to allow administrative tickets to be administered for smoking violations is approved by the City Council, it would make it easier for local police to enforce the law. ... No smoking ban gets teeth The Stark County Board passed an update to their food ordinance during last Monday’s regular meeting in order to help add some teeth to the no smoking ban passed in Illinois last year. “The State of Illinois passed a law, but gave no direction on how to enforce it,” said Health Department representative Kurt Kuchle “With this addition, the county can now make an even playing field of all businesses in Stark County.” The resolution allows the health department to rescind the food license to any establishment not enforcing the no smoking ban. “Restaurant and bar owners will have 10 days to request a hearing or 30 days to pay their fine after a citation has been issued.” Said Kuchle, who enforces the ban in Stark County, “If they don’t then the health department can remove their right to serve food in their establishment.” Many supporters of this change showed up to voice their opinion. “Currently, there are five establishments in Stark County that are not following the no smoking ban,” said Kuchle, “in fact a few are blatantly ignoring citations and fines.” “We aren’t arguing if the smoking ban is right or not,” said Kuchle, “that argument has passed. It is the law of the land now and we need to enforce it.” ... Hunter wants ban on E Cigarettes Cigarettes containing no tobacco, but create a vapor similar to smoke, are on a state Sen. Mattie Hunter's, D-3rd Dist., ban list. She is sponsoring legislation that will ban electronic or E-Cigarettes throughout the state. . . . "Electronic cigarettes have not been approved by the (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) and we don't know what is in them or if they are safe. Until these types of products are deemed certified or legal to sell by the FDA, they should be banned throughout Illinois," said Hunter, vice-chair of the state's Senate Public Health Committee. ... Survey of residents shows 80 percent pro-smoke ban Stricter Smoking Ban in Chillicothe CHILLICOTHE - The city of Chillicothe is cracking down on businesses that are not complying with the state smoking ban. Beginning tomorrow, Chillicothe will "tie" the state smoking ban to a bars liquor license. If a pub or restaurant is not in compliance, the liquor commissioner could take away their liquor license. .... Co. adopts smoke-ban measure Lincoln, Ill. - The Logan County Board Tuesday adopted an ordinance that mimics the "no smoking" laws that are already on the state's books. Schumacher read a section of the amendment. "All premises for the retail sale of alcoholic beverages shall be kept in clean and sanitary condition," said Schumacher. "And shall be kept in full compliance with the laws of the state of Illinois, including but not limited to … the Smoke Free Illinois Act." Another section of the new amendment read, "Smoking shall be prohibited within food service establishments … the Smoke Free Illinois Act. Food service establishments found to be in violation of this act will be subject to suspension of their certificate to operate." ... Bridgeview Bans Smoking In All Businesses Bridgeview board members voted to pass an ordinance on Jan. 20 introduced by the building zoning and economic development committee that will make it unlawful to own, operate or maintain a tobacco store that permits smoking inside. Under the new ordinance, it will also be illegal to open hookah lounges in the village. ... Conway dog park, smoking ban in the works The Conway City Council could sign off on a long-awaited dog park and an ordinance prohibiting smoking at all city parks in coming weeks. ... Illinois Smokers Can't Be Criminally Prosecuted (CN) - Smokers can't be criminally prosecuted for violating the Smoke Free Illinois Act, an Illinois appeals court ruled. Kathleen Kane got a ticket for smoking at Woody's Tavern in Will County, Ill. She was convicted and sentenced to six months of court supervision and had to pay a $231 fine. She appealed the denial of her post-trial motion challenging the constitutionality of the Act and her prosecution in criminal courts. Judge Daniel Schmidt of the Third District Court of Appeals agreed with Kane and reversed her conviction. ... Teens push for smoke-free parks WAUKEGAN -- On the day the Lake County Board banned smoking in public places in May 2007, high school students had an obvious hand in it. "I remember hearing some of the board members saying they were contacted by teens in their district who supported the ban," said Barbara de Nekker, "and I knew exactly which teens they were talking about." ... Court dismisses Will County smoking charges Charges were dismissed Wednesday in six cases involving alleged violations of the state's ban against smoking cigarettes in public. Daniel O'Day, the Peoria-based lawyer who represented the defendants, was delighted. "I am glad that finally these regular people who have worked all their lives are no longer being prosecuted as criminals for having a cigarette," he said. All of the cases began in 2008. Charged were: Paul Leoford, 63, of 802 Cottage St. in Shorewood; Bruce Hockin, 64, of 1317 Frederick St. in Joliet; and Jack Jackson, 66, of 900 Windsor Drive in Shorewood; Kenneth J. Kane, 55, of 1001 Wilcox St. in Joliet; John M. Hoglund, 52, of 620 O'Toole Drive in Minooka; and Ronald Hutin, 51, of Joliet. Their cases were first handled as misdemeanor crimes. Later they were designated petty offenses. Smoke-free police station plan may burn out AURORA -- A plan to make the new police station on Indian Trail tobacco-free has hit some resistance from aldermen. The proposal, suggested by the Police Department, would ban not only smoking but all forms of tobacco from the entire 25-acre campus, inside and out. The department expects to be operating out of the new $108 million station by Jan. 11. The statewide smoking ban already prohibits smoking inside and within 15 feet of the new station. But the new ordinance would expand that to include every aspect of the campus, including the interiors of cars. The recommendation for a complete smoking ban came from the Police Department and is intended to make the new station more friendly to the public, as well as the environment, according to Cmdr. Joe Groom. ... Joliet smoking conviction reversed by higher court Bars say it's 'good business' to ignore smoking bans CHICAGO — Smoking in bars has been banned here since Jan. 1, 2008, but Crow Bar, a cozy spot on the city's far southeast side, is still a haven for people who want to light up. "It's good business to allow smoking. It's a free country," says Carroll, owner of Crow Bar for 28 years. It's near the border with Indiana, which allows smoking in bars. He says his customers would patronize bars there if he forced them to smoke outside. After inspectors found a souvenir ashtray behind the bar, Carroll, a smoker, paid a $340 fine. Repeat violations would mean bigger fines, which he says would make him rethink his leniency. Twenty-six states and the District of Columbia have passed smoking bans that cover restaurants and bars, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids says. Four others ban smoking in restaurants but exempt stand-alone bars. Most inspections and citations stem from complaints, and "non-compliance is a fairly isolated issue," says Danny McGoldrick, the group's vice president for research. "Business owners and patrons are pretty law-abiding." ... Illinois smoking ban: Some bars give smokers a sanctuary Owner Pat Carroll said his customers -- smokers and nonsmokers alike -- contribute to a "smoking fund" canister that often sits on the bar, to subsidize the fines he's incurred for flouting the law. Carroll said he's been ticketed twice and paid at least $680. He fears that if he forbids smoking, his cigar-and-cigarette crowd would switch to bars that permit smoking just a few blocks away in Indiana. "So guess what, everybody can smoke in here," he said, fingering a lit cigarette balanced on an ashtray. "I'm not losing my customers." The Tribune and WGN-TV found patrons smoking at several Chicagoland bars, defying the Smoke-free Illinois Act that has prohibited smoking inside public places since Jan. 1, 2008. Bar patrons and owners seen smoking indoors had varying explanations for ignoring the law. At Boem Restaurant in Albany Park, where one visit found the room filled with smoke, the bar's owner said the place was booked for a private party, which exempted it from the law. But it doesn't, officials say. The public can lodge complaints against establishments that skirt the law, triggering a site inspection. Violators face fines that can grow steeper with each infraction. ... House passes smoking-ban exemption SPRINGFIELD — Lawmakers decided Wednesday to carve out an exemption in the statewide smoking ban that allows the use of smoke during American Indians' indoor tribal religious ceremonies. By overriding Gov. Pat Quinn's amendatory veto of Senate Bill 1685, the Illinois House of Representatives took the final step for the measure to become law without the governor's proposed revisions. The Senate voted to override his veto two weeks ago. ... Marion gets tough on businesses that allow smoking indoors It's been nearly two years since Illinois banned smoking inside restaurants and bars, but with the economy on the rocks, all bar owners are looking to get an edge over the competition and some choose to break the law. Lately Mollie's Bar manager Sammy Mankin says some of his customers have told him they're leaving his place for bars that let them smoke. "They want to go where they can smoke and have a drink and socialize with their fiends," said Mankin. "We cannot offer that here because we follow the law and adhere to it. So we suffer for it." ... EP gives smoking ban more bite Puffing in East Peoria now may be subject to more regulations than anywhere else in the state. With the recent adoption of an amended liquor code that specifically references a ban on smoking in public places, the city conceivably has three laws covering the prohibition. First is the state's Smoke Free Illinois Act, which beginning Jan. 1, 2008, sought to end smoking in bars, restaurants and all other places open to the public or places of employment. Second is the city's smoking ordinance, which closely mirrors the state act and was adopted after the state ban was approved. Cities that created individual ordinances to regulate smoking once the ban took effect were allowed, under the state law, to keep 100 percent of the fines for violations, rather than splitting the proceeds with the state. That atmosphere caused East Peoria and other municipalities to attempt a third approach: citing bar owners and bartenders under catch-all provisions in local liquor codes. ... Worth waves goodbye to hookah bars No-smoking strategy: Apartment buildings start bans to draw new renters, keep peace among existing ones Warren Nisley liked the "green" features of the new Morgan at Loyola Station in Rogers Park when he was apartment hunting. The mixed-use building near Loyola University Chicago has 152 apartments, is near public transportation and boasts eco-friendly features such as water-saving fixtures and efforts to improve internal air quality with low-gas-emitting paints and a no-smoking policy for all residents and guests. The smoke-free environment wasn't the only criterion for deciding to live in the building, but it was part of a package that Nisley, 52, found appealing. . . . The first no-smoking sections in restaurants appeared 30 years ago. Since then, smoking increasingly has been banned in commercial and public buildings because of concerns about second-hand smoke and a growing consumer demand for better quality air. But in Chicago, smoke-free apartments have been concentrated in smaller, privately owned buildings or privately owned units. Jennifer Wolf, AMLI Residential's senior vice president for development, said the company chose to prohibit smoking in AMLI 900 to meet requirements to improve internal air quality, among other things, for LEED certification. Wolf said the project, which opened in November, is on track to be the first new-construction high-rise apartment in Chicago to be LEED-certified, a measure of environmental sensitivity and sustainability. ... Haze lingers over 2008 smoking ban Almost two years since the state's ban on indoor smoking in public places took effect, the haze surrounding the enforcement of the law appears to still be lingering. Some aspects of the Smoke Free Illinois Act are now much more clear than at its inception. Enforcing agencies such as police departments and local public health departments now have citations specific to the ban that can be handed to violators. And smokers or business owners who want to contest those allegations now know with certainty that they will do so in front of an administrative judge for the Illinois Department of Public Health, rather than a criminal judge at a county courthouse. Those much-needed clarifications came thanks to an amendment to the state ban signed into law in early February during Gov. Pat Quinn's first bill signing after Rod Blagojevich's impeachment. "It's an evolution, and over the last two years we've seen quite a lot of progress," said Greg Chance, administrator of the Peoria City/County Health Department. ... No smoking ban ordinance likely from Herrin city council "I'd like to see it die down and cut friction," Branding Iron Saloon owner Jim Meredith said. "I'm just out to (care for) my place. If we get along — that's all I want." Meredith's words summed up discussion at a Thursday morning public safety and public improvement committee meeting in Herrin to decide whether or not the city should consider toughening the smoking ban. After dialogue with citizens and a Franklin-Williamson Bi-County Health representative, committee spokesman Robert Craig said bar owners would be responsible for abiding by state law. No action was taken to step closer to drafting a city smoking ban ordinance. "Owners are making a reasonable effort to make them non-smoking," Craig said. "Bi-County may be coming into bars. I strongly encourage you to enforce the law. Whether we agree or not, we have to abide by it." ... Some Bars Letting People Light Up Inside HERRIN -- It's trivia night at Teddy's Sports Bar and Grill in Herrin, a weekly tradition for Herrin resident Jim Vest. But while he and everyone else can enjoy a drink with their game, when it's time for a smoke they have to step outside. "The way I look at it, you have to do what you have to do, and if you want to smoke you smoke, and if you can't you go outside or you go where you can," said Vest. The bar promotes its smoke free environment. But says business has dropped off since the ban went into effect. The reason: not everyone makes smokers go outside. We decided to see if that's the case, I walked into five different bars in Herrin and despite no smoking signs in many of them I found people lighting up inside each one. ... Village backs cigar lounge plan Ban on smoking in outdoor dining areas mulled Smoking is banned inside nearly all public places in Illinois, but smoking in outdoor dining areas has some Glenview residents fuming. Glenview trustees plan to consider a local ordinance to curtail or prohibit smoking in outdoor dining areas, following a discussion last week. "I do not like this checkerboard effect that's created by the state law," Village President Kerry Cummings said. "I think it is confusing for the public to understand where they can be seated and enjoy a smoke-free environment." Since 2008, smoking has been prohibited in virtually all public places and work places, including restaurants and bars, under terms of the Smoke Free Illinois Act. Further, no one can smoke within 15 feet of any entrance to a public place or work place. But a few diners have complained that wafts of smoke have marred their meals or drinks outside. ... Village backs cigar lounge plan PLAINFIELD -- A man looking to open a smoking lounge in downtown Plainfield got seven thumbs up from village officials Monday. Joe Griffin would like to open an "upscale premium cigar boutique" at 24040 Lockport St., a now-vacant building previously occupied by the construction company that did the Lockport streetscape project. Griffin, who works for Emerald Construction in Oswego, said he used to build houses but with the slow housing market was looking for another line of work. ... Our Opinion: Casinos wrong to target smoking ban Illinois governor makes changes to smoking ban amendment What's seen as playing politics by one might be considered offering a clean slate by another. Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn offered an amendatory veto Tuesday to a smoking ban amendment that would allow tobacco use for Native American religious ceremonies. The bill was sponsored by Sen. John Sullivan, D-Rushville. ... No vote on proposed sidewalk Smoking Ban To smoke or not to smoke? That was the question with concerns to the sidewalks on North Avenue at the Flora City Council meeting on Monday evening. One of the council's agenda items was to discuss an ordinance that would ban smoking on the sidewalks of North Avenue after council members had received complaints regarding bar patrons. After the discussion, the issue was not voted upon. Instead, the Council decided to call an open meeting for further discussions with the goal of reaching a compromise on the issue. ... Casino Revenue and the Illinois Smoking Ban (PDF) Abstract The views presented in this paper are those of the authors and do not represent official positions of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis or the Federal Reserve System.
Illinois casino lobbyists weren't blowing smoke when they said that a statewide smoking ban has cost the industry -- and government -- lots of money, economists at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis have found. They say state and local governments lost $200 million in taxes last year because of the ban. That's more than a projected $150 million that state legislators hope to realize by privatizing lottery management and selling tickets online, and more than half of the $300 million in revenue the state projects could be raised by legalizing and taxing video poker. Economists who studied casinos in Illinois and surrounding states found that attendance here went down by 9 percent while revenue plummeted by more than 20 percent, according to study results published last month in The Regional Economist, a federal reserve bank publication. . . . After reviewing a copy of the study sent to her by The State Journal-Register, Drea via e-mail said that while there might be a revenue decline associated with fewer smokers in casinos, "it defies logic" to blame the smoking ban, as opposed to a tough economy, for plummeting revenue. Smoking ban enacted in Vernon Hills parks Smokers can still light up elsewhere but areas near playgrounds, athletic fields and the skate park in the Vernon Hills Park District system are off limits. Though it elected not to go as far as some other entities, the Vernon Hills Park District board last week unanimously agreed to tighten the rules on smoking. "I think we're starting out trying to emphasize the role modeling for the children," said Marla Pineiro, acting executive director. ... Teens champion smoke-free parks A group of Vernon Hills High School students is urging the Vernon Hills Park District to consider a tobacco-free ordinance for local parks. Several Vernon Hills students who are members of the Lake County chapter of the Reality Illinois tobacco prevention group made a presentation to the Vernon Hills Park District Board regarding their desire to see a smoking ban in outdoor public parks. Vernon Hills Park Board President David Doerhoefer called the youth presentation "phenomenal" and said the board would take the issue into consideration at a future board meeting. ... Health Department gets help enforcing smoking ban The Marion County Health Department now has more ammunition in its fight to stop smoking in public places. Environmental Health Director Melissa Mallow ... Effort underway to amend smoking ban law Vilas County to ban smoking on county property Ill. may offer exemption to smoking ban Since Illinois' smoking ban went into effect 15 months ago, the law already has been amended once to clarify enforcement. Now, Sen. John Sullivan, D-Rushville, is seeking to make it even clearer. Unlike Iowa, Illinois failed to provide an exception for religious ceremonies in its statewide smoking ban. "If we can make our case to our members here why we're doing what it is what we're doing, there seems to be good support for it," Sullivan said. Sullivan said opponents contend that federal law already addresses the religious exemption. Illinois smoking ban has popular effect, one year later It has been a little over a year since the Smoke-Free Illinois Act took effect. Sixth Ward Alderman Dave Baker has only heard positive results about the ban. Baker also said this is a progressive movement that is helping both smokers and non-smokers. “People who smoke have cut down or quit, and now people can go anywhere without filling their lungs with smoke,” Baker said. New Survey: 73 Percent of Illinois Voters Support Smoke-Free Law Senate rejects smoking exemption for casinos The Illinois Senate overwhelmingly says now is not the right time to allow smoking on riverboat casinos. The Senate voted 15-35 Wednesday night to exempt the nine casinos from the statewide smoking ban in public places that took effect in January. The measure needed 30 votes to pass. Casinos say the ban has crippled their revenues and threatens to cost the state as much as $100 million in lost taxes this year. Big Tobacco targets smoking ban, tax: With $83,000, lobby seeks exemptions Tobacco companies are dumping thousands of dollars on lawmakers in a revved up effort to chip away at the new statewide smoking ban and ward off efforts to nearly double Illinois' cigarette tax. In the four weeks before the Feb. 5 primary election, two tobacco giants contributed $83,000 to 30 lawmakers. That amount sets a monthly pace that eclipses the industry's largesse in this state for at least a decade, according to a Tribune review of campaign finance records. About threequarters of that money went to House Democrats. "We've been the whipping boy for a number of [legislative] sessions now... so we decided this year that we are going to participate in the process more heavily," said lobbyist John O'Connell, a former lawmaker who represents cigarette giant Reynolds American Inc. "We are still a legal industry. And it is a legal product." Tax dollars not hurt by smoking ban While some bar and restaurant owners have cited the ban as the reason they went out of business, the city's tax revenue from bars and restaurants has grown robustly since the ban, according to Illinois Department of Revenue data. In fact, in the two quarters since the ban was enacted, city tax revenue from restaurants grew twice as fast as before the ban. Tax revenue from bars, which has fluctuated wildly over the past five years, did not grow as much during the fourth quarter of 2006 as it did earlier in the year and in the same period in 2005. But taxes paid by bars rebounded in the first quarter of this year. Illinois ranks first in passage of local smokefree laws in 2006 No change to ban: Some sympathetic aldermen urge passage of statewide ban The Springfield City Council declined Tuesday to create smoking-ban exemptions for bars, fraternal clubs, bowling alleys and bingo halls. The Springfield City Council declined Tuesday to create smoking-ban exemptions for bars, fraternal clubs, bowling alleys and bingo halls. But some aldermen and the mayor, sympathizing with business owners who say they’re livelihoods are threatened by the ban that took effect Sept. 17, pleaded for legislators to quickly enact a statewide smoking ban to ensure even odds for every business. Debating the Smoking Ban An online video 'slideshow' presentation. IL Licensed Beverage Association Tied to Philip Morris The hospitality association leading the opposition to a citywide indoor workplace smoking ban has ties to tobacco giant Philip Morris, according to documents provided by the company in lawsuits filed against it by state attorneys general nationwide.
The award honors communities that have shown leadership through implementation of strong 100% smokefree indoor air laws which protect workers and patrons from exposure to secondhand smoke. This year marks the 40th Anniversary of the U.S. Surgeon General's Report on Smoking and Health, which was the first time tobacco use was officially identified as a cause of serious disease and death. Secondhand smoke is the third leading cause of preventable death in this country, killing 53,000 nonsmokers in the U.S. each year. For every eight smokers the tobacco industry kills, it takes one nonsmoker with them. Because there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke, it is important for workplaces to be entirely smokefree. Health experts agree that ventilation systems and smoking sections do not address the adverse health effects of secondhand smoke. |
On November 22, 2004, Wilmette Village Board President Nancy Canafax (right) received the Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights 100% Smokefree Award of Excellence from Jamie Ziegler (left), a volunteer for the Campaign for a Smoke-Free Wilmette. The Village received the award for the passage of their new smokefree law bringing smokefree air to the city’s enclosed workplaces, including restaurants and bars.Smokefree Dining/Travel |
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