Smoke-Free Illinois



Information Fact Sheets: POLICIES HEALTH ECONOMICS VENTILATION How to help: DONATE SIGN UP TELL-A-FRIEND Surgeon General’s Report on Secondhand Smoke Download By Section On June 27, 2006, the U.S. Surgeon General released the first report on secondhand smoke in more than 20 years. The report concluded that there is no safe level of secondhand smoke and the only way to fully protect non-smokers from secondhand smoke is to completely eliminate indoor smoking. Secondhand smoke has had a devastating toll on the health and safety of our country. More than 65,000 Americans die each year from exposure to secondhand smoke. In Illinois, 8 people die a day from exposure to secondhand smoke. A number of cities, states and countries have already enacted smoke-free laws to protect non-smokers from the dangers of secondhand smoke. More than 20 countries, 17 states and 28 communities and 2 counties in Illinois have already gone smoke-free. The response from citizens and business owners has been overwhelmingly positive. The Smoke-Free Illinois Coalition was established to ensure that all Illinois residents have the right to breathe clean, smoke-free air. The objective of this campaign is to educate people about the dangers of secondhand smoke and to promote a statewide, clean indoor air law that will protect the safety and health of all workers.	Economics Smoke-Free Economic Study Smoke-Free Policies on Businesses Smoke-Free Workplace Myths Featured Article: The Economics of Secondhand Smoke A major study comparing hotel revenues and tourism rates before and after passage of 100% smoke-free restaurant laws in three states and six cities found that such laws do not adversely affect, and may actually increase, tourism. (Summary of Studies Assessing the Economic Impact of Smoke-free Policies in the Hospitality Industry. VicHealth Center for Tobacco Control) In Illinois, nearly one-quarter of all residents would dine out more often if smoking was prohibited in all Illinois restaurants; while only 12% would dine out less often – a 2:1 advantage. (American Lung Association, 2005.) In Highland Park, Illinois, tax receipts in the hospitality industry increased 6.5% from last year when the community went smoke-free. (Village of Highland Park) In California, which banned smoking in bars in 1998, 91% of patrons either go to bars more often or have not changed their habits two years after the ban took effect. (Field Research Corporation, California, October 16, 2000) In New York City's bars and restaurants, tax receipts are up 8.7% since the implementation of the city's Smoke-Free Indoor Air law. (New York City Departments of Health and Mental Hygiene Finance, Small Business Services, and Economic Development Corporation. The State of Smoke-free New York City, 2003) In Massachusetts, restaurants and bars did not experience any decline in patronage following implementation of a statewide law, which banned smoking in all workplaces, including restaurants and bars. Meals and alcoholic beverage excise tax collections remained the same. (Harvard School of Public Health, Evaluation of the Massachusetts Smoke-free Workplace Law, April 2005.) In Massachusetts, employment in food and beverage service did not decline. In fact, it increased in some sub sectors. (Harvard School of Public Health, Evaluation of the Massachusetts Smoke-free Workplace Law, April 2005.) Back To Top	Background Information: Facts Sheet and Q & A Douments: Smoke-Free Act FAQ General Public Guide Business Resources: Resources to Help You Go Smoke-Free Douments: Business Tips for Going Smoke Free Hospitality FAQ Smoke-Free Signage Positive Economic Data: Sales Tax Revenues Increase Douments: Economic Impact Story Springfield Tax Post SF New Survey: 73 Percent of Illinois Voters Support the Smoke Free Law! full press release and detailed results: IL Press Release IL Poll Slides Memo IL Annotated Q 68% of Illinois voters support the General Assembly's decision to implement a comprehensive clean indoor air law Click to Read