May 11, 2000

CHICAGO - The Illinois Department of Public Health today unveiled a new statewide program, the Illinois Smoke-Free Restaurant Recognition Program, aimed at encouraging restaurants to voluntarily go smoke-free and informing consumers about where they can dine in a smoke-free environment.

Dr. John R. Lumpkin, state public health director, and Attorney General Jim Ryan awarded the program's first certificate to Blanton Canady, owner/operator of the Navy Pier McDonald's; the second was presented at the event to Dave Yanda, general manager of Tucci Benucch, 900 N. Michigan Ave.

"Restaurants such as the Navy Pier McDonald's and Tucci Benucch are improving the dining experience by going smoke-free," Dr. Lumpkin said. "They are also helping to protect the health of patrons and employees, especially those with asthma or other medical conditions that can be adversely affected by second-hand smoke. This kind of public concern deserves to be recognized and supported."

Canady said corporate-owned McDonald's restaurants went smoke-free several years ago and he decided in1998 that his franchise store at Navy Pier would adopt the same policy. "We often hear from patrons that they appreciate our efforts to provide them with a healthier dining environment," Canady said. "This recognition from the state health department further strengthens our belief that going smoke-free was the best thing to do."

"I encourage all restaurant owners and managers to seriously consider adopting a smoke-free policy," said Yanda, whose restaurant has prohibited smoking since 1991. "Without a doubt, going smoke-free has helped make Tucci Benucch cleaner and healthier for all patrons and employees."

Attorney General Ryan said that the program is a step in the right direction in terms of applauding those restaurants that have recognized the health consequences of smoking and second-hand smoke.

"Because going smoke-free is completely voluntary, I think it's important to have a recognition program like this," Ryan said. "It is a way to formally support those restaurants that have taken steps to improve the dining experience by adopting a no-smoking policy."

Sister Sheila Lyne, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health, voiced her support for the new statewide program by pointing out how it will benefit families in particular.

"Parents generally make their dining decisions with their children in mind, and this program will be a great tool for them to use when trying to find a healthy dining environment for their families," Lyne said.

As part of today's event, seventh grade students from Nicole Jackson's class at Helen J. McCorkle Elementary School of Chicago wrote papers on why restaurants should be smoke-free. An essay by Travis Tyler, 13, was judged the best by staff from the Chicago Department of Public Health. Tyler received a $50 gift certificate from Tucci Benucch and the other students in the class received coupons for free ice cream at McDonald's.

The Department began the Illinois Smoke-Free Restaurant Recognition Program to highlight those restaurants in Illinois that have voluntarily gone smoke-free, to provide information about restaurants that are smoke-free and to raise public awareness of the dangers of second-hand smoke.

The program uses educational materials and incentives to encourage restaurants to adopt a smoke-free policy. Separate informational brochures - one for restaurants and one for patrons - will be distributed across the state; framed certificates of recognition, signed by Gov. George H. Ryan and Dr. Lumpkin, will be issued by the Department and local health departments to restaurants; and a listing of smoke-free restaurants will be posted by the Department on its Web site: www.idph.state.il.us.

Several local health departments across Illinois today hosted similar events at restaurants in their areas as a way to formally unveil the program.

Illinois Department of Public Health 535 West Jefferson Street Springfield, Illinois 62761 Phone 217-782-4977 Fax 217-782-3987 TTY 800-547-0466 Questions or Comments