Smoking tobacco is the single most important preventable cause of illness and death in the United States. More than 20,000 people in Illinois die each year as a result of cigarette smoking. 

Nationally, smoking is responsible for one of every five deaths. In fact, cigarette smoking kills more Americans than AIDS, alcohol, car accidents, murders, suicides, drugs, and fires combined.  Secondhand smoke can seep through lighting fixtures, cracks in walls, around plumbing, under doors, and can then enter adjoining apartment units. 

Current Policy Initiatives and Activities in the Tri-County Region:

• Promote tobacco-free indoor/outdoor space to include restrictions on use of e-cigarettes/vaping devices at public places or places of employment where smoking combustible tobacco products is prohibited.
  
• Increase the number of tobacco-free multi-unit housing policies, like apartment buildings and public housing
• Increase the number of tobacco-free outdoor spaces like parks, outdoor events, and farmer's markets
• Introduce and implement tobacco-free campus policies for businesses, as well as school and college campuses
• Conduct specified enforcement activities for compliance of the Smoke-free Illinois Act on behalf of the Illinois Department of Public Health

Let Us Help You Create a Tobacco-Free Environment Where you Live, Work, and Play

LIVE: Secondhand smoke can seep through lighting fixtures, cracks in walls, around plumbing, under doors, and can then enter adjoining apartment units. 

WORK: Tobacco-free campus policies reach beyond the building to the outside property. It is legal, profitable, and non-discriminatory for a business or agency to adopt and promote a tobacco-free policy. Benefits include cleaner areas, less maintenance, healthier environment, and lower insurance risks. 

PLAY: Go 100% tobacco-free at parks, recreation fields, playgrounds, pools, athletic fields, community and sporting events, and farmer's markets. Protect waterways from pollution with chemicals and reduce cigarette litter. Reduce youth smoking, and promote healthy living.   Assure access to those with illnesses affected by secondhand smoke.