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Illinois Tobacco-Free Communities

Illinois Tobacco-Free Communities is an Illinois Department of Public Health grant-funded initiative to establish tobacco prevention and control programs to prevent tobacco use among youth, eliminate exposure to second-hand smoke, and eliminate tobacco-related health disparities. 


Smoking tobacco is the single most important preventable cause of illness and death in the United States. More than 20,000 people in Illinois die each year as a result of cigarette smoking. 

Nationally, smoking is responsible for one of every five deaths. In fact, cigarette smoking kills more Americans than AIDS, alcohol, car accidents, murders, suicides, drugs, and fires combined.  Secondhand smoke can seep through lighting fixtures, cracks in walls, around plumbing, under doors, and can then enter adjoining apartment units. 


Current Policy Initiatives and Activities in the Tri-County Region:

  • Promote tobacco-free indoor/outdoor space to include restrictions on use of e-cigarettes/vaping devices at public places or places of employment where smoking combustible tobacco products is prohibited.
  • Increase the number of tobacco-free multi-unit housing policies, like apartment buildings and public housing
  • Increase the number of tobacco-free outdoor spaces like parks, outdoor events, and farmer's markets
  • Introduce and implement tobacco-free campus policies for businesses, as well as school and college campuses
  • Conduct specified enforcement activities for compliance of the Smoke-free Illinois Act on behalf of the Illinois Department of Public Health


Let Us Help You Create a Tobacco-Free Environment Where you Live, Work, and Play

LIVE: Secondhand smoke can seep through lighting fixtures, cracks in walls, around plumbing, under doors, and can then enter adjoining apartment units. 

WORK: Tobacco-free campus policies reach beyond the building to the outside property. It is legal, profitable, and non-discriminatory for a business or agency to adopt and promote a tobacco-free policy. Benefits include cleaner areas, less maintenance, healthier environment, and lower insurance risks. 

PLAY: Go 100% tobacco-free at parks, recreation fields, playgrounds, pools, athletic fields, community and sporting events, and farmer's markets. Protect waterways from pollution with chemicals and reduce cigarette litter. Reduce youth smoking, and promote healthy living.   Assure access to those with illnesses affected by secondhand smoke. 



Interactive Tobacco-Free Policy Map

Explore this interactive map  to learn about tobacco-free policies throughout the tri-county area. If you would like to add your business, apartment complex, campus, or outdoor space, please contact us



Quick Links

CDC Smoke-Free Multiunit Housing

Video Smoke-Free Multiunit Housing

We Choose Health - IDPH - Outdoor Space

Video Smoke-Free Outdoors

Illinois Smoke-Free Campus Act

Tobacco-Free Business Campus Toolkit from Kaiser Permanente

Video Tobacco-Free Business Campus

E-cigarettes, Vaping, JUULs - Illinois Department of Public Health

Let’s Talk Cannabis Illinois Website 

 Illinois Tobacco Quitline: A free resource for tobacco users who want to quit for good. Certified counselors and staff at the Illinois Tobacco Quitline provide the support needed to break the habit. Qualified individuals have access to nicotine replacement products through the mail. Call toll-free 866-784-8937 or visit the website for assistance and qualifications.


Contact Us

We have a team of dedicated Illinois Tobacco-free Communities partners dedicated to improving policies throughout the tri-county region.

Contact the Regional Tri-County team by emailing tobaccofree@tchd.net or reach out to your local representative listed below for your county.  Our teams can help you develop and implement a tobacco-free policy for your multi-unit housing spaces, outdoor spaces, businesses, and more!







    Smoke-Free Illinois Act Information

    The Smoke-Free Illinois Act, effective January 1, 2008, protects the public in Illinois from the harmful effects of exposure to tobacco and second-hand smoke by prohibiting smoking in indoor public places and places of employment, including offices, theaters, museums, libraries, schools, commercial establishments, enclosed shopping centers and retail stores, restaurants, bars, private clubs and gaming facilities. Smoking is also prohibited in public conveyances like taxis and buses. Other Smoke-Free Act guidelines include:

    • Business owners shall not permit smoking within 15 feet of any entrance, exit, windows that open and ventilation intakes.
    • "No smoking" signs are required to be posted at every entrance to a public place or place of employment. These signs are available to download on the Illinois Department of Public Health Website.
    • Full text of Smoke-Free Illinois, Public Act 095-0017 can be found online.
    • Individuals can file a complaint at the Illinois Department of Public Health's toll-free complaint line at 866-973-4646 or online.






     Free Printable Smoke-Free Signage

    Download English version here

    Download Spanish version here.




    Custom Smoke-Free Signage & Print Materials

    Ready to go smoke-free at your business or campus? We can help you create smoke-free signage to accompany your smoke-free policy. Grant funding may be available to assist with smoke-free signage for your business or campus. To inquire, contact your local ITFC partner. 

    Smoke-free signs may be available for:

    • pools
    • campuses
    • work places
    • farmer's markets
    • multi-unit housing
    • apartment buildings
    • and more!*


    This project was made possible by funds received from the Illinois Department of Public Health. 






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