US: Smoke-Free Illinois Marks 7th Anniversary

Source from:  The Midweek 01/08/2015

January marks the seventh anniversary of the Smoke-Free Illinois Act which protects everyone from the health risks associated with secondhand smoke exposure.

Seven years ago, Illinois enacted one of the strongest clean indoor air laws in the country. Illinois was the 13th state to have a comprehensive smoke-free law prohibiting smoking in workplaces, restaurants, bars, theaters, museums, schools, private clubs, casinos and other enclosed public places.

"We know that there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke," Jane Lux, public health administrator, said in a news release. Secondhand smoke is a mixture of the smoke given off by the burning end of tobacco products and the smoke exhaled from the lungs by smokers. Children and adults with allergies or breathing problems often feel worse when exposed to secondhand smoke.

Smoking is the No. 1 cause of preventable death in the United States. Most smokers who want to quit try several times before they succeed. You can take steps that can improve your chances of quitting for good by developing a quit plan, taking advantage of free and effective resources as well as finding the medication that's right for you by talking to your doctor, pharmacist or health care provider.

The Illinois Tobacco Quitline is a free resource for tobacco users who want to quit for good. Call 866-QUIT-YES (866-784-8937), or visit quityes.org. Additional free resources also can be found at smokefree.gov and lung.org. Enditem