 |
DeKalb County, Illinois |
|
Economics .pdf |
Illinois will become the 22nd state to go smoke free beginning January 1, 2008. “The Smoke-Free Illinois Act requires all public places, including worksites, to be smoke free”, states Karen Grush, Health Administrator at the DeKalb County Health Department. Smoking is also prohibited within 15 feet of entrances, exits, windows that open and ventilation intakes.
The findings, stated in this legislation, are that tobacco smoke is a harmful and dangerous carcinogen to human beings and a hazard to public health. The Act further states that secondhand smoke is the third leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Nearly 3,000 Illinois citizens die each year from exposure to second hand smoke.
According to the Act, “public places” include, but are not limited to restaurants, retail stores, offices, commercial establishments, bars, bowling alleys, indoor theaters, meeting rooms, private clubs, gaming facilities, and all government owned vehicles. The Act establishes fines to be assessed to individuals or businesses in violation of the Act.
The new legislation lists three enforcing agencies: the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), local law enforcement and local health departments. Residents may make a complaint by contacting any of these agencies. The IDPH complaint hotline is 1-866-973-4646. Their website is www.smoke-free.illinois.gov.
Tips and ideas for establishments and worksites, as well as sample signage, can also be found at the IDPH website at: www.smoke-free.illinois.gov. In addition, information and materials can be found on the Health Department’s website, including employer’s checklists for implementation, employee newsletter inserts, a model smoke-free worksite policy, and sample signage. The Health Department’s website is www.dekalbcountyhealthdepartment.org. |
|
| Return to top |
Back to
DeKalb County Government | Problems? Contact the Webmaster |