Opinion

Don’t weaken anti-smoking law

Posted February 26, 2012 4:00 am

It’s a new year and here we go again. Smoke-Free Illinois is under attack despite its life-saving results.

There is no disputing that smoking is bad for the smoker and those exposed to second-hand smoke. The U.S. Surgeon General has stated unequivocally that secondhand smoke kills; yet House Bill 1310, sponsored by state Rep. Anthony DeLuca, is before the Illinois House of Representatives. The measure would allow businesses to buy smoking licenses from local liquor control commissioners. This measure, which is identical to House Bill 4012 that was recently introduced, would dismantle much of the smoke-free law that has had a profound impact on the health and well-being of Illinois workers and business patrons statewide.

I urge you to contact your lawmaker and stand with American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) volunteers to fight against this measure, which is aimed at undoing key elements of the law’s life-saving protections. Please help us share information about the health and financial benefits of Illinois’ smoke-free law and continue to keep cancer-causing poisons away from innocent people.

The American Cancer Society is about saving lives and creating a world with more birthdays. Please join with me in calling on our lawmakers to join us and defeat any efforts to turn back Smoke-Free Illinois.

Thank you,

Maggie Powell, ACS CAN District Lead Ambassador

Waukegan

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