NO SMOKING

On July 1, 1990, the Illinois Clean Indoor Air Act became effective. The purpose of the law is to protect nonsmokers from the health hazards of secondhand smoke. The Act dramatically changes the way building owners, employees, government officials and operators of other public places deal with smoking on their property.

In the past, it was assumed that smoking was permitted every place unless there was a designated nonsmoking area. On the effective date of this Act, ALL PUBLIC PLACES IN ILLINOIS BECAME NON-SMOKING unless an area is designated for smoking. The Act defines public place as "any enclosed indoor area used by the public or serving as a place of work." There are a few places the Act specifically exempts from coverage including bars, bowling alleys, factories and warehouses. The law, however, does allow any proprietor to designate his or her entire facility as nonsmoking.

We join the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) in encouraging our members to comply with the spirit and not merely the letter of the law. If you have designated smoking areas, make every effort to situate them in a way that physical barriers are utilized, ventilation is adequate, and nonsmokers are not exposed to secondhand smoke. Also, once you have a smoking policy in place, be sure that it is really enforced. In these ways, you will be helping to make Illinois' air healthier and safer. If you have questions about the law or need sample work site policies and materials, please contact Lois Damashek, Tobacco Coordinator, Illinois Department of Public Health, Center for Health Promotion, at (217) 785-2060.

Page 14 / Illinois Municipal Review / December 1990