Health Department Notes World No-Tobacco Day, May 31, 2023

The Henry and Stark County Health Departments announce that every year May 31st is proclaimed World No-Tobacco Day. The theme for World No Tobacco Day 2023 is "We Need Food, Not Tobacco." The campaign is aimed to raise awareness among the public on the environmental impact of tobacco – from cultivation, production, distribution and waste. It will give tobacco users one extra reason to quit. 

     RaeAnn Tucker, Director of Health Promotion with the Henry and Stark County Health Departments notes that this important health designation is an important time to remind area residents about the Health Departments’ Illinois Tobacco-Free Communities Grant activities. 

    In both Henry and Stark County our staff works continually to enforce, educate and encourage compliance with the Illinois Smoke-Free Act. The Smoke-free Illinois Act prohibits smoking in virtually all public places and workplaces, including offices, theaters, museums, libraries, educational institutions, schools, commercial establishments, enclosed shopping centers and retail stores, restaurants, bars, private clubs and gaming facilities.

     The Smoke Free Illinois Act requires that all business owners:

     *Do not permit smoking within 15 feet of entrances, exits, windows, that open and ventilation intakes.

     *Post “No Smoking” signs at each entrance.

     *Remove ashtrays from areas where smoking is prohibited.

     The Health Department notes that failure to comply with the Smoke Free Illinois Act can result in fines.

    Also, this past year, the Health Department has worked towards additional Tobacco-Free initiatives.  This year in both Henry and Stark County, the Health Department has a grant that is focused on the prevention and education on the hazards of vaping and the use of e-cigarettes to our area youth.

    Tucker notes, “The Health Department in coordination with the State of Illinois has taken these important steps to protect its residents, workers and visitors from the harmful and hazardous effects of smoking and secondhand smoke.” 

     Cigarette smoking is responsible for more than 480,000 deaths per year in the United States, including more than 41,000 deaths resulting from secondhand smoke exposure. This is about one in five deaths annually, or 1,300 deaths every day.

     For more information about the Health Department’s Illinois Tobacco-Free activities, call (309) 852-0197 or visit our website at www.henrystarkhealth.com or Find Us On Facebook or Follow Us on Twitter and Instagram.