| "Now that Illinois has become the 22nd state to ban indoor smoking from public places and workplaces, what's next? " " The ban likely will prompt more smokers to quit. After New York City passed a similar ban in 2003, for example, the adult smoking rate decreased from 21.5 percent to 18.4 percent. " "More communities could enact outdoor smoking bans, too. North suburban Deerfield already prohibits smoking in outdoor public places such as parks, school grounds and outdoor dining areas. " "Tobacconist Dan Sharp takes a puff of a cigarette at Marshall McGearty Tobacco Lounge in the Wicker Park neighborhood in Chicago. " "About 20 percent of adults in Illinois -- about 1.9 million people -- are smokers, according to a 2005 state survey." "20 percent of whites smoke 17 percent of blacks smoke 23 percent of people in other racial groups smoke" "About one in four 18- to 24-year-olds smoke. But among people 65 and older, about one in 12 smoke." "The Smoke-Free Illinois Act, which Gov. Blagojevich signed Monday, takes effect Jan. 1. Just about the only indoor places left for smokers will be their homes and cars. " "Smokers who violate the ban could be fined between $100 and $250. Businesses could be fined at least $250 for the first violation and at least $2,500 for a third violation within one year. " "The state law supersedes Chicago's indoor smoking ban, which would have allowed smoking in bars until July 2008. " "Health advocates say the new law will protect workers such as Lisa Cristia from the cancer-causing effects of second-hand smoke. After working 10 years in smoky bars and restaurants on the Northwest Side, Cristia developed tongue and throat cancer. " ""This is probably the happiest day of my life," Cristia said during a bill-signing ceremony at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. " "In addition to cancer, second-hand smoke can cause stroke, heart disease, respiratory ailments and sudden infant death syndrome. It kills 65,000 Americans each year, including eight people in Illinois every day. " "With the statewide ban set to take effect, anti-smoking groups will push for additional funding to help Illinoisans kick the habit. Under the proposed $1 cigarette-tax increase, 25 percent of the $450 million raised each year would fund smoking-cessation programs, said Janet Williams
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