City, Health Groups Promoting Anti-Smoking Efforts For Smoking Cessation Week

(CBS) -- The city of Chicago and health advocates are putting their anti-smoking efforts into high gear now, with signs, fliers and messages aimed at smokers for Smoking Cessation Week, reports WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore.

The Emanuel administration, hospitals and respiratory health groups want to make sure smokers everywhere see where and how they can get help to quit.

University of Chicago economics professor Frank Chaloupka says fewer young people with benefits beyond health.

"By keeping these kids from starting to smoke the city has locked in over $300 million in long-term health savings over the lifetimes of these kids who aren't smoking," said Chaloupka.

Joel Africk, president of the Respiratory Health Association, says there is more work to do as well.

"We've been working with the Chicago Park District to request that our parks all be smoke free. Currently, Chicago's beaches and playlots are smoke free but the parks themselves are not," said Africk.