The Smoke-Free Movement

Guess what, time to revisit the message board rules.

1.) No swearing or other vulgarity
2.) No personal attacks or threats
3.) If you're going to be overly argumentative, or plan on posting a dissertation length rant, please try to back it up with some actual facts or at the very least some meaningful personal experience.

We understand this is a hot issue and we like keeping an open dialoge going, but please don't be a part of it if you can't display some basic civility. A number of posts from people on both sides of the smoking issue have been moderated now, so no finger pointing.

Anyway, keep the posts coming and having a good weekend everyone!

Posted by Smoke-Free Illinois at 12:11 PM | Permalink | Comments   

The Smoke-Free Movement picked up another key editoral board endorsement today from the State Journal-Register in Springfield. Their endorsement does a terriffic job of pointing out that this issue is too important to for local governments to squable over and that it is imperative that that state take control and protect the lives of its workers.

"It’s time for the General Assembly to do the right thing and protect every worker and every nonsmoking citizen in Illinois from the toxins of secondhand smoke."

The Journal-Register editorial was also particularly poignant it its calling out of Senator Bomke's hard stance on SB 500.

"In Springfield, many bar owners tried to turn the smoking debate from a health issue to a property rights issue. In considering SB 500, the Senate must not let a statewide health issue be distorted into a local government rights issue. For the sake of employees who may otherwise face years of exposure to secondhand smoke, we urge Sen. Bomke to rethink his position when he casts his vote next week."

We thank the Journal-Register for their endorement of this life saving piece of legislation. To date we've now found editorial board support from The Batavia Sun, The Chicago Sun-Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Daily Herald, The Daily Southtown, The Lake County News Sun, The Peoria Journal Star, The Rockford Register Star, The State Journal-Register, and The St. Louis Post-Dispatch.


To read the full State Journal-Register editorial, please click here.

Posted by Smoke-Free Illinois at 8:31 AM | Permalink | Comments   

Cook smoke ban set to take effect - Chicago Tribune

Less stringent smoking ban OKd - Chicago Tribune

3 businesses found violating new ban - Daily Herald

Smoking disappearing in Cook County - Palatine Countryside

New smoking ban takes effect today - Mount Prospect Times

Restaurants give input on smoke-free promotions - Elk Grove Times

Smoking ban passes - Niles Herald-Spectator

Smoking ban in bars unlikely here - Glenview Announcements

Smoking ban postponed - The Star

Pub owner: Smoking ban unfair - Franklin Park Herald-Journal

Let state officials know about support for smoke-free act - The Doings-Hinsdale

Senate passes cigarette smoking ban - Quad-City Times

Posted by Smoke-Free Illinois at 12:27 PM | Permalink | Comments   

One of the many highlights of our Smoke Free Illinois Lobby Day on Wednesday was the high-profile, enthusiastic endorsement of our efforts by Attorney General Lisa Madigan -- who became the first statewide officer in Illinois to endorse Smoke Free Illinois.

Speaking before the volunteer leadership of the American Cancer Society, AG Madigan pledged to do everything in her power to make a Smoke Free Illinois a reality, saying:

"I applaud the work you are doing in passing a smoke free bill...I'm very happy to partner with you in any way I can to make sure the messages about the dangers of secondhand smoke get out."

You can view the press statement on Attorney General Madigan's support for Smoke Free Illinois by following this link.

Please take a moment to thank AG Madigan for her support by going to this link.

Posted by Smoke-Free Illinois at 8:18 AM | Permalink | Comments   

Yesterday roughly 60 ACS volunteers descended upon the State Capitol for a lobby day in support of Smoke-Free Illinois. By all measures the day was a complete success. We were able to meet with many dozens of key legislators and in turn we were able to secure some key support for the two smoke-free bills.

One of the key endorsements we received yesterday was from Attorney General Lisa Madigan. Attorney General Madigan took part in our smoke-free luncheon and gave her public support of comprehensive smoke-free legislation. The Attorney General also received the Society's Partners in Progress Award for her continued efforts to keep the state's youth safe from the dangers of tobacco and smoking. To read more on her endorsement and the award she received, please click here.


Also, if you were one of the many volunteers who partcipated in yesterday's lobby day we would love to hear about your experience. Let us know how your conversations with your senators and representatives went by leaving a comment on this post.

Posted by Smoke-Free Illinois at 9:18 AM | Permalink | Comments   

Statewide smoking ban needed in Illinois - Pantagraph.com

This smokeing proposal goes too far - Daily Herald

Hospitals set to snuff out smoking - Peoria Journal Star

Towns weigh smoking ban effect - Chicago Tribune

Smoke-Free Naperville wants to pass ordinance - Daily Herald

Smoking ban decision near? - The Star

Steger to allow smoking in bars, restaurants - The Star

Posted by Smoke-Free Illinois at 7:14 AM | Permalink | Comments