Illinois Action Center

ALL ILLINOIS WORKERS DESERVE THE RIGHT TO WORK IN A SMOKE-FREE ENVIRONMENT

In 2007 the Illinois General Assembly chose to put the lives of Illinois workers and patrons first by passing the Smoke Free Illinois Act – one of the most comprehensive smoke-free laws in the country.  However, passage of the law did not go without much debate.  At the time, legislators expressed concern that local businesses would lose money from smoking patrons choosing to stay home rather than come to their establishments.  Others argued it was an infringement on civil liberties.  But because of the overwhelming scientific and economic evidence to the contrary, and this was one of the largest grassroots movements in Illinois, legislators did the right thing and passed the law.

Since January 1, 2008, all indoor workplaces and public places are smoke-free.  The law ensures that ALL Illinois workers have a workplace safe from secondhand smoke, and that all of us can breathe clean, smoke-free air when we eat out or spend a night on the town. 

A Case for a Comprehensive Smoke-Free Law in Illinois:

• Throughout the state of Illinois, about 2,100 people die annually from exposure to secondhand smoke 
• Annual Illinois health care and lost productivity costs due to smoking are over $8.5 Billion.
• Secondhand smoke is the third leading cause of preventable death in America.  It contains more than 4,000 chemicals and more than 69 carcinogens.  Secondhand smoke causes cancer, stroke, heart disease, sudden infant death syndrome, respiratory ailments and even inner ear infections in children.
• According to the U.S. Surgeon General, “100% smokefree workplace policies are the only effective way to eliminate secondhand smoke exposure in the workplace.  Even sophisticated ventilation systems do not eliminate the health hazards of secondhand smoke.”
• A comprehensive law (meaning ALL workplaces, including restaurants, bars, hospital and health care facilities, gaming facilities, correctional facilities, and clubs) gives all Illinois businesses a level playing field.  One sector of business should not be exempt from the law – ALL workers deserve the right to work in a smoke free environment.
• Smoke-Free laws reduce health care spending and improve employee productivity.
• Smoke-Free laws encourage smokers to quit.

Quick Facts:

• The Smoke Free Illinois Act is by far one of the most popular laws passed by the General Assembly.  In a poll taken in 2010, 81% of Illinois voters support the law.
• As of July 2010, 35 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and 876 municipalities require 100 percent smoke-free workplaces and/or restaurants and/or bars.  Combined, this represents nearly 79 percent of the U.S. population.
• No state has ever repealed provisions within a smoke free law to make it weaker.

 For more Information please contact Thom Mannard (312-960-2341) or Heather Eagleton (217-523-4534).