FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 23, 2006
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
Laurie Peacock
312-580-6497
(cell) 312-608-3620
Illinois State Medical Society to State Senate Panel:
No Exemptions for State-wide Smoking Ban
Springfield— Illinois State Medical Society (ISMS) President, Peter E. Eupierre, M.D., today urged an Illinois Senate committee to not adopt S.B. 2688, which would grant a temporary two-year exemption to bars and other establishments, such as taverns and restaurants, from a proposed statewide smoking ban. Due to the exemption, ISMS opposes the bill as currently written, and submitted a statement to that effect to the Senate Executive Committee Hearing on State Regulation of Indoor Smoking committee, which is today conducting public testimony.
“While we appreciate the state legislature has recognized the need for a state-wide smoking ban in places frequented by the public, SB 2688 needs to go further to protect the health of all Illinois residents,” Dr. Eupierre said. “Despite what exemption proponents have claimed, several credible independent economic studies have shown that a smoking ban does not harm a community’s economy or result in losses to its businesses like restaurants and bars.”
Earlier this year, the U.S. Surgeon General released a report that determined there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Additionally, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) acknowledges that no ventilation technology can remove cancer-causing chemicals from the air.
“Millions of our health care dollars are being used to treat diseases directly attributable to tobacco products,” stated Dr. Eupierre. “Let’s heed the warning signs and the science of tobacco-induced disease. It’s time that Illinois passes a statewide smoking ban that eliminates secondhand smoke in all places, especially restaurants and bars.”
www.isms.org
ISMS is a professional membership association representing over 14,000 physicians practicing in all specialties statewide. The annual meeting of ISMS was held in Oak Brook, IL April 7-8, 2006.