Public Policy

Although smoking itself is not illegal, there are many laws and policies that people must follow regarding smoking.  Even though these laws do not totally prevent people from smoking, they help make it more inconvenient, therefore, helping reduce people from starting this horrid habit and increase the number of people wanting to quit.

Each individual country, state, community, and business have their own laws, rules, regulations, and mandates regarding tobacco usage.

Many schools across the country have strict polices and rules against tobacco use on campus.  Most of these rules are consistent with the local and state laws that have been already set.  Normally, these restrictions prohibit tobacco use by students, all school staff and faculty, parents, and school visitors while on school property, in school-vehicles, and while attending school-sponsored events away from school property.  These rules help students and parents realize that there are consequences for their actions.  These rules not only exist for the safety of the non-smokers, but to help smokers realize how bad tobacco truly is for them.

In the United States one must be 18 years or older in order to purchase tobacco products.  Every business or organization must hang a 'WE CARD' sign ensuring that they follow this law.  The attendant must ask for an id at the time of purchase.

As of January 1, 2008 Illinois has put a ban on smoking in all public places.  This includes bars, restaurants, the work place, most hotels, movie theaters, etc. However, Chicago, along with many other communities, already had strict restrictions on smoking in public places long before this law came into effect for the entire state.  If someone is caught breaking this law, they can face anywhere from a $100 to $250 fine.  This law was mainly put into effect due to the new evidence that second-hand smoke is just as dangerous as smoking, leading to cancers, emphysema, etc.  This new law gave a good amount of people that extra push to quit smoking.  Since they could no longer smoke at their leisure at their 'usual spots.'  Taking the time to go outside of the building, standing at least fifteen feet from the door is a large inconvenience, plus time consuming which many people no longer have time to fit into their day.  Even though thousands of people still buy their pack of cigarettes on a daily basis, I believe this law was helpful to a large number of people leading them to a healthier way of living.