Tobacco-Free Living

We all know that tobacco use is bad. It can cause illnesses like cancer, heart disease, stroke, disability and death. Yet, more than 1 in 5 adults and 1 in 6 high school students smoke and new products to the marketplace such as e-cigarettes continue to make tobacco visible and available. To promote tobacco-free living, the places we live, work, learn, worship, play and receive healthcare are taking action to reduce our exposure to secondhand smoke, prevent youth from starting to smoke, and make sure that people who do smoke have resources to quit.

Tobacco Cessation

Places like hospitals, mental health agencies, healthcare clinics, doctors’ and dentists’ offices can make tobacco cessation a part of their overall approach to treatment and wellness. This improvement increases patient access to resources such as the Illinois Tobacco Quitline  and other proven cessation programs; quit attempts; and chances of successfully quitting.

Tobacco-Free Environments

While there are laws to protect residents and students in suburban Cook County, such as the Cook County Clean Indoor Air Act, the Smoke-Free Illinois Act and Illinois Smoke-Free Campus Act , these laws are not enough. Only 100 percent smoke-free environments protect from the dangers of secondhand smoke. Smoke-free protections in parks, multi-unit housing, college campuses (not affected by the Act), and outdoor venues are just a few more places that can promote tobacco-free living.

Prevention Of Youth Tobacco Initiation

The tobacco industry continues to develop, package, and advertise their products in ways that appeal to young people. Making tobacco products less affordable, restricting tobacco marketing, and banning smoking in public places such as day care centers, schools, hospitals, and parks are proven ways communities have discouraged youth from smoking.