Cigarette Health Warning Act (410 ILCS 85/)

Chapter 410 — Public Health

General

This text is maintained by the Legislative Reference Bureau for legislative drafting purposes and is NOT the official text of the Illinois Compiled Statutes; the only official copy is the printed copy maintained by the Secretary of State.

Sec. 1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the Cigarette Health Warning Act.

(Source: P.A. 87-572.)

Sec. 2. Legislative Findings

The General Assembly finds that there is a need for public information about the risk of harm to unborn children when women smoke cigarettes during pregnancy. The United States Surgeon General has recommended abstinence from cigarette smoking during pregnancy. Since the adverse effects of cigarette smoking during pregnancy are preventable, the General Assembly finds that it is in the public interest to provide warnings at places where cigarettes are sold about the risks of cigarette smoking during pregnancy.

(Source: P.A. 87-572.)

Sec. 3. Definitions

As used in this Act:

"Cigarette vending machine" means any mechanical device used or intended to be used for retail sales of cigarettes, the operation of which is governed or controlled by the deposit of currency, a coin, or a token.

"Department" means the Department of Public Health.

(Source: P.A. 87-572.)

Sec. 4. Display of Warning Signs

(a) No person may sell cigarettes at retail using a cigarette vending machine unless a sign with the message "SURGEON GENERAL'S WARNING: SMOKING BY PREGNANT WOMEN MAY RESULT IN FETAL INJURY, PREMATURE BIRTH, AND LOW BIRTH WEIGHT" is displayed in plain view on the machine.

(b) No person may sell or offer to sell cigarettes at retail unless a sign with the message "SURGEON GENERAL'S WARNING: SMOKING BY PREGNANT WOMEN MAY RESULT IN FETAL INJURY, PREMATURE BIRTH, AND LOW BIRTH WEIGHT" is posted in a conspicuous place upon the premises. This subsection (b) does not apply to sales of cigarettes through cigarette vending machines to which subsection (a) applies.

(Source: P.A. 87-572.)

Sec. 5. Specifications Regarding Signs

All signs required under this Act shall be printed on white cards in red letters at least one-half inch in height.

All signs required to be displayed under this Act shall be in place not later than 120 days after the effective date of this Act and shall be continuously displayed thereafter.

(Source: P.A. 87-572.)

Sec. 6. Penalties

Failure to display a warning sign as required by this Act is a business offense for which a fine not to exceed $1,000 may be imposed. Each day of failure to display a warning sign as required by this Act constitutes a separate offense.

(Source: P.A. 87-572.)