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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate wish to 
3recognize the 5th anniversary of the Smoke Free Illinois Act on 
4January 1, 2013, and to proclaim the month of January as Smoke 
5Free Illinois Month; and
  
 
6    WHEREAS, Secondhand smoke is a major health hazard and 
7there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke; 
8approximately 50,000 deaths each year are attributable to 
9secondhand smoke exposure according to the U.S. Surgeon 
10General, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and 
11the National Cancer Institute; and
  
 
12    WHEREAS, Separate smoking areas, air cleaning, or 
13ventilation does not eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke; 
14smoke-free policies are the only effective protection from 
15exposure to secondhand smoke and smoke-free laws provide 
16immediate health benefits, most notably a decline in heart 
17attack hospitalizations; and
  
 
18    WHEREAS, Hospitalizations in Illinois for tobacco-related 
19diseases have declined since the Smoke Free Illinois Act was 
20enacted; it is estimated that more than 35,000 heart disease 
21hospitalizations among Illinois residents  have been prevented 
22because of the Smoke Free Illinois Act, resulting in an 
 
 
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1estimated savings of $1.8 billion in hospital costs alone, 
2according to Illinois Department of Health data; and
  
 
3    WHEREAS, The Smoke Free Illinois Act protects all residents 
4and visitors regardless of where they work or play and it 
5attracts visitors from states with little or no protection from 
6secondhand smoke; and
  
 
7    WHEREAS, The health and economic benefits of the Illinois 
8Smoke Free Act are widely recognized; therefore, be it
  
 
9    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL 
10ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize the 5th 
11anniversary of the Smoke Free Illinois Act and proclaim the 
12month of January as Smoke Free Illinois Month to remind the 
13public about the benefits of protecting everyone from the 
14health risks associated with secondhand smoke and the 
15importance of prohibiting smoking in all public places and 
16workplaces; and be it further
  
 
17    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
18presented to the Smoke Free Illinois Coalition as an expression 
19of our esteem and respect.