5th Anniversary of "Smoke Free Illinois Act" - CBS4 - WHBF Quad Cities, IL-IA News Weather Sports

5th Anniversary of "Smoke Free Illinois Act"

By: Crispin Havener
chavener@cbs4qc.com

It's been 5 years since Illinois passed the Smoke Free Illinois Act.

Tuesday, The Rock Island County Health Department celebrated the laws anniversary at Crabby's Bar and Grill in Coal Valley.

The act banned smoking in and around public places.

Health officials say bars and restaurants were worried when the bill was passed that it would have a negative effect on business.

But now smokers have adapted.

"It's kind of just common place now for smokers to just go outside and smoke, and I thank them for that." says Jennifer Johnson, of the Rock Island County Health Department. I thank smokers for their compliance with the law, and I thank businesses for complying with the law."

The Rock Island County Health Department says 50,000 people per year get lung cancer, who never smoked in their life.