The Smoke-Free Movement
Smoke-Free Illinois a Victory for Workers, Residents and Visitors
Get ready – one and all --- to breathe clean indoor air!
That’s right; starting January 1, 2008, everyone in Illinois – not just some of us - will be able to enjoy clean, non-toxic air because of The Smoke-free Illinois Act, which Gov. Blagojevich signed into law on July 23, 2007. Illinois now joins 22 other states in mandating that all workers, citizens and visitors deserve the right to breathe clean, smoke-free indoor air.
As result of a tenacious American Cancer Society-orchestrated campaign that activated tens of thousands of volunteers and voices and reached into all corners of the state, Illinois is taking a giant step forward in promoting improved public health that will have a lasting, lifesaving effect. Make no mistake about its outcomes. This law will save lives. It will prevent cancer and other diseases. It will diminish suffering. And it will reduce health care costs.
Secondhand smoke is a major public health issue and the third leading cause of preventable death in America. In Illinois about 2,900 will die each year – that’s eight people every day – from exposure to secondhand smoke.
Legions of American Cancer Society volunteers and supporters rallied to make our voices heard, first in Chicago in 2005, then in dozens of municipalities where smoke-free ordinances were being considered, and then in pressing the General Assembly for passage of the Smoke-Free Illinois Act. Illinois citizens’ letters, e-mails, stories and persistence delivered a monumental public health victory that offers a message of hope – and life – for generations to come.
Great campaigns must have great political leadership. The American Cancer Society salutes the brave members of the Illinois General Assembly who defied special interests by standing firm for the health and well-being of all Illinois workers. In particular, we applaud our bill sponsors Sen. Terry Link (D-30th), Sen. John Cullerton (D-6th) and Rep. Karen Yarbrough (D-7th). And, we salute the other 32 state senators and 72 members of the Illinois House who defied Big Tobacco and voted in favor of this legislation. And finally, thanks to Governor Rod Blagojevich’s final endorsement and signature, the bill has now become Public Act 95-0017 – the law in Illinois.
The American Cancer Society looks forward to working closely with the Illinois Department of Public Health and others to educate the public about this life-saving law and to ensure a smooth transition come January 1, 2008. Indeed, it will be a very happy and healthy new year!
As always, we stand ready to assist anyone who’s fighting cancer, or wanting to quit smoking. If we can help, call us at 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.
Clement Rose, MD.
President, Illinois Division
American Cancer Society
That’s right; starting January 1, 2008, everyone in Illinois – not just some of us - will be able to enjoy clean, non-toxic air because of The Smoke-free Illinois Act, which Gov. Blagojevich signed into law on July 23, 2007. Illinois now joins 22 other states in mandating that all workers, citizens and visitors deserve the right to breathe clean, smoke-free indoor air.
As result of a tenacious American Cancer Society-orchestrated campaign that activated tens of thousands of volunteers and voices and reached into all corners of the state, Illinois is taking a giant step forward in promoting improved public health that will have a lasting, lifesaving effect. Make no mistake about its outcomes. This law will save lives. It will prevent cancer and other diseases. It will diminish suffering. And it will reduce health care costs.
Secondhand smoke is a major public health issue and the third leading cause of preventable death in America. In Illinois about 2,900 will die each year – that’s eight people every day – from exposure to secondhand smoke.
Legions of American Cancer Society volunteers and supporters rallied to make our voices heard, first in Chicago in 2005, then in dozens of municipalities where smoke-free ordinances were being considered, and then in pressing the General Assembly for passage of the Smoke-Free Illinois Act. Illinois citizens’ letters, e-mails, stories and persistence delivered a monumental public health victory that offers a message of hope – and life – for generations to come.
Great campaigns must have great political leadership. The American Cancer Society salutes the brave members of the Illinois General Assembly who defied special interests by standing firm for the health and well-being of all Illinois workers. In particular, we applaud our bill sponsors Sen. Terry Link (D-30th), Sen. John Cullerton (D-6th) and Rep. Karen Yarbrough (D-7th). And, we salute the other 32 state senators and 72 members of the Illinois House who defied Big Tobacco and voted in favor of this legislation. And finally, thanks to Governor Rod Blagojevich’s final endorsement and signature, the bill has now become Public Act 95-0017 – the law in Illinois.
The American Cancer Society looks forward to working closely with the Illinois Department of Public Health and others to educate the public about this life-saving law and to ensure a smooth transition come January 1, 2008. Indeed, it will be a very happy and healthy new year!
As always, we stand ready to assist anyone who’s fighting cancer, or wanting to quit smoking. If we can help, call us at 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.
Clement Rose, MD.
President, Illinois Division
American Cancer Society