RaeAnn Tucker
Director of Health Promotion
January 31, 2025
The Henry and Stark County Health Departments note that every year February is proclaimed American Heart Month. The staff of the Health Department notes that Tobacco use is an important risk factor for the development of coronary heart disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease. Cardiovascular diseases kill more people than any other cause of death worldwide. Therefore, Heart Month 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 Smoke-Free Illinois Act (SFIA). The SFIA protects residents, workers, and visitors from the harmful effects of exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke and e-cigarette vapor by prohibiting smoking of all forms of combustible tobacco, including cigarettes, cigars, and hookah, and e-cigarettes, vapes, and any other electronic smoking device, in public places and places of employment. 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, vapes & e-cigarettes 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.
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, or for “No Smoking” signs or window clings for your business; call (309) 852-0197 Extension 249 or download a sign by visiting our website at www.henrystarkhealth.com or Find Us On Facebook or Follow Us on Twitter and Instagram.