May 3, 2007

Editor
PEORIA JOURNAL STAR

To the Editor:

The citizens of Peoria, indeed, all citizens of Illinois, are fortunate the state legislature has been able to accomplish what the Peoria City Council could not: a statewide smoking ban. Such a measure cleared the General Assembly on Tuesday, May 1st.

TOBACCO IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF DISEASE STATES THAT KILL!  Hypertension, coronary and vascular disease, pulmonary dysfunction, the threat to the unborn and newborn, and increased incidents of many types of carcinoma … this is but a partial list of tobacco’s unhealthy influence.

Perhaps our City Council will prove to be more proactive in the future. Addressing public health issues saves lives and money in our community.  Thanks to Peoria area state Reps. Aaron Schock, David Leitch and Senator David Koehler for supporting the smoking ban, which is of critical importance to the health and well-being of all the residents of our state.

RODNEY C. OSBORN, M.D.
President
Illinois State Medical Society

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