New Smoke-Free Law A Victory For Illinois

The following is a statement of Ronald M. Davis, M.D., President of American Medical Association:

"The American Medical Association applauds Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich for signing into law a new state-wide smoking ban -- the strongest clean indoor air law in the country. The new law will prohibit smoking in all public and work places, including restaurants and bars, making Illinois smoke- free beginning January 1.

"The new law is a victory for all Illinois residents, workers and visitors, who will soon benefit from clean, smoke-free indoor environments that will protect them from the deadly dangers of secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke causes cancer, heart and lung diseases in nonsmokers and is responsible for nearly 3,000 deaths each year in Illinois alone. Thousands more are affected by heart attacks, asthma episodes and respiratory distress because of secondhand smoke.

"Secondhand smoke-related deaths are preventable, and we continue to call on every state to enact statewide smoke-free laws to protect the health of all Americans."