July 7, 2006

Warnings are given for a reason, most often to alert us in time to take action to avoid unfavorable outcomes. Local and state elected officials have just received yet another serious warning about smoking. It should serve as an immediate call to action.

Last week’s report from U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona validates numerous scientific studies that assert any level of exposure to secondhand smoke is unhealthy and unsafe.

The statistics are cause for grave alarm:

• Half of all Americans are regularly exposed to secondhand smoke.
• Secondhand smoke contains more than 63 cancer-causing chemicals
• Exposure to secondhand smoke puts workers at a 20-30 percent greater risk for lung, cancer or heart disease.
• An estimated 65,000 deaths occur annually attributable to secondhand smoke.

Many communities in Illinois have already made great strides to safeguard our health by prohibiting or eliminating secondhand smoke in the workplace and public venues. We applaud those local elected officials and encourage others to follow suit because Illinois workers and residents are still unprotected.

Fifty-five percent of Illinois residents remain completely unprotected from the health risks associated with secondhand smoke. Millions of our health care dollars are being used to treat diseases directly attributable to tobacco products. Eliminating exposure to secondhand smoke is good for our wellbeing and sound economic policy. Wouldn’t Illinois’ limited financial resources be better used elsewhere?

Let’s heed the warning signs and the science of tobacco-induced disease. It’s time that Illinois legislators pass a statewide clean indoor air law that eliminates secondhand smoke in all public places and workplaces, especially restaurants and bars. Anything less is unconscionable!

Sincerely,

Diana Hackbarth, RN, PhD, Chair
Illinois Coalition Against Tobacco

Peter E. Eupierre, MD, President
Illinois State Medical Society

Ermilo Barrera, Jr., MD, President
American Cancer Society - Illinois Division

Bill Kempiners, President
American Lung Association of Illinois

Douglas A. Graham, Chair
American Lung Association of Metropolitan Chicago