To stop the deadly health effects of secondhand smoke. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke kills an estimated 2,900 adults and children in Illinois each year. By creating 100 percent comprehensive clean air legislation, we can make sure all workplaces, including bars and restaurants, will limit workers' exposure to secondhand smoke, creating a healthier environment that will ultimately save lives.

The new law ensures all indoor public places and places of employment would be smoke-free, thus eliminating the dangers of secondhand smoke. All workplaces and public places, including restaurants, bars, casinos, bowling alleys, offices and factories will be smoke-free unless specifically exempted.

Yes. The only exceptions are for private residences (as long as they are not used for business open to public or customers), retail tobacco stores in operation prior to passage of this legislation, certain private and semi-private nursing home rooms, and no more than 25 percent of hotel or motel rooms, which can be used to service smoking customers.

January 1, 2008.

To file a complaint by phone, call 217-782-4977 or visit www.smoke-free.illinois.gov

The law establishes a minimum legal baseline for smoke-free policies. All communities would have to meet the baseline established by the law, but would be free to pass stronger measures.

Yes, all workplaces including restaurants, bars and restaurant bars will go smoke-free.

Secondhand smoke kills an estimated 65,000 people nationally each year which includes 2,900 people in Illinois, about eight people per day. It is estimated that for every eight smokers who die from tobacco use, one non-smoker dies from exposure to secondhand smoke. Classified as a Group A carcinogen, a substance known to cause cancer in humans, secondhand smoke is unsafe at any level of exposure.

A total of 24 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico have enacted legislation that requires smoke-free workplaces. There are more than 500 smoke-free cities and counties in the US. Approximately 50 percent of the U.S. population is covered by a 100 percent smoke-free workplace provision.