Health & Fitness
Skokie resident celebrates 5-year anniversary of The Smoke Free Illinois Act with public health officials and restaurant owners
Skokie resident Bill Plotikin celebrates the five-year anniversary of The Smoke Free Illinois Act and praises the effects it has had in his hometown.
January 1, 2013 marked the five-year anniversary of The Smoke Free Illinois Act, which made all indoor public places and workplaces smoke-free in the state. In 2008, Illinois was the 22nd state to adopt a comprehensive smoke-free policy. As of 2012, 30 states have adopted policies.
Prior to the statewide law, several local municipalities adopted smoke-free ordinances. Skokie was the first community to pass a smoke-free ordinance, largely due to the involvement of passionate volunteers, including Bill Plotkin and his wife, Adele, who passed away in 2011.
“Smoke-free Skokie was done because we felt it was time to protect all nonsmokers in the workplace. Somebody had to take the lead, and Skokie did it,” said Bill Plotkin. “We are proud of our role and pleased that this helped generate momentum that eventually went statewide.”
“The Smoke Free Illinois Act is one of the most significant public health victories in Illinois the last 10 years,” said Joel Africk, president and chief executive officer of Respiratory Health Association. “As a result of this law, fewer Illinoisans are exposed to secondhand smoke, and fewer young people are picking up cigarettes in the first place. Quite simply: this policy saves lives.”
The anniversary comes as many Illinoisans begin their new year’s resolutions to quit smoking. An estimated 70 percent of smokers say they want to quit, and smoke-free laws are proven to help people succeed in their quit attempts. Since the act went into effect on January 1, 2008, smoking rates in Illinois have declined.
