SPRINGFIELD – Legislation sponsored by state Rep. Karen Yarbrough (D-Maywood) to

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation sponsored by state Rep. Karen Yarbrough (D-Maywood) to ban smoking in most public places passed the House Environmental Health Committee Thursday, leaving only passage by the full House before the measure is sent to the governor.

“This statewide smoking ban has been in the works for a long time, but it has been well received by legislators and I think the time is right to pass this law,” Yarbrough said.  “The dangers of secondhand smoke are crystal clear and it’s time we stand up for the majority of Illinoisans who do not smoke and rid our public buildings of this disgusting and dangerous vice.”

Senate Bill 500 bans smoking in any building fully or partially open to the public and within 15 feet of entrances to such buildings.  The measure also bans smoking in places of employment, including areas where employees are required to enter, exit or pass through during the course of employment.  Smoking would also be prohibited in student dormitories and buildings where students at public and private universities congregate.

Yarbrough’s bill is aimed at public places and contains exemptions for private residences, private nursing home rooms and certain hotel and motel rooms.  Retail tobacco stores that derive at least 80 percent of annual gross revenue from tobacco sales would also be exempt from Yarbrough’s bill.  Individuals who violate the provisions of the bill would be fined between $100 and $250.  Persons who own a public space found to be in violation of the proposed law would be fined not less than $250 for the first violation, not less than $500 for a second violation within one year, and $2500 for each subsequent violation within one year of the first violation.

“Cigarette smoke harms the smoker, everyone around them, and drives up the cost of health care for everyone,” Yarbrough said.  “We should be doing everything we can to encourage our friends and family members to quit smoking, and this measure gives them more of an incentive to make that choice.”

Senate Bill 500, which is co-sponsored by over 30 House members, now moves to the House floor for further consideration.  For more information, contact Yarbrough’s constituent service office at 708-615-1747.

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