Health News
Kentucky has the highest smoking rate in the country, with 29 percent of people surveyed by the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index answering "yes" to the question, "Do you smoke?" (United Press International photo by Alexis G. Glenn)
- U.s. Smoking Rate Drops From 16.8% To 15.2% In One Year; Ky. Ranks No. 2 In Most Recent State Data; County Data Are Available
"The national smoking rate among adults has reached an all-time low since anti-smoking efforts began decades ago, according to a report this week from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention," reports Lauren P. Duncan of The...
- Northern Kentucky Health Board Supports Statewide Smoking Ban
The main health board in Northern Kentucky, where local smoking bans have stirred much controversy. has endorsed the idea of a statewide ban on smoking in all places of employment. "The 32-member board, which represents Boone, Campbell, Grant and Kenton...
- Rep. Westrom, Bolstered By Increasing Public Support, Thinks Third Time May Be The Charm To Pass A Statewide Smoking Ban Law
A coalition of health groups say they will give state Rep. Susan Westrom, D-Lexington, the most public support ever for a bill to ban smoking in Kentucky restaurants and workplaces, a bill she's tried to get passed twice, Jacqueline Pitts of CN2 reports....
- Coalition Of Health Groups Launches Two-week Ad Campaign To Drum Up Support For A Statewide Smoking Ban
A geographically targeted newspaper and online advertising campaign calling for "a comprehensive, statewide smoke-free law" is hitting Kentucky media outlets this week, as the legislature convenes, and next week. The campaign was launched by Smoke-Free...
- Statewide Smoking Ban Proposed In Legislature
State Rep. Susan Westrom of Lexington, left, announced her intent to file a bill today that calls for a statewide smoking ban, which would prohibit cigarette use in workplaces, restaurants, bars and private clubs. The Courier-Journal's Laura Ungar...
Health News
Poll finds Kentucky has the highest smoking rate in the country; a statewide ban would reduce it, advocates say
Kentucky has the highest smoking rate in the country, with 29 percent of people surveyed by the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index answering "yes" to the question, "Do you smoke?" (United Press International photo by Alexis G. Glenn)Kentucky's number is 8 percentage points higher than the national average, which remains unchanged from 2008. Utah had the lowest rate, 11 percent. The survey included answers collected from 1,000 Americans from January to June.
Smoking rates remain highest in the South and Midwest. "The findings suggested government smoking bans were effective," United Press International reports. "There were no bans on smoking in bars in all but one of the states where rates are 25 percent or higher and no bans on smoking in restaurants in all but two." (Read more)
In an op-ed piece in Monday's Lexington Herald-Leader, public health advocate Joan Buchar of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky asks the upcoming General Assembly to pass a statewide ban, and lists the benefits: Teens and preteens are less likely to begin smoking because they see fewer adults smoking. There are fewer visits to the emergency room for heart attacks in communities with comprehensive bans. And businesses are attracted to areas where bans are in effect, Buchar writes.
"Kentucky is known for its hospitality and beautiful places," she writes. "We can be known, too, as a beautiful and healthful place to live. Twenty years from now, our children will thank us for taking this bold step today." (Read more)
- U.s. Smoking Rate Drops From 16.8% To 15.2% In One Year; Ky. Ranks No. 2 In Most Recent State Data; County Data Are Available
"The national smoking rate among adults has reached an all-time low since anti-smoking efforts began decades ago, according to a report this week from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention," reports Lauren P. Duncan of The...
- Northern Kentucky Health Board Supports Statewide Smoking Ban
The main health board in Northern Kentucky, where local smoking bans have stirred much controversy. has endorsed the idea of a statewide ban on smoking in all places of employment. "The 32-member board, which represents Boone, Campbell, Grant and Kenton...
- Rep. Westrom, Bolstered By Increasing Public Support, Thinks Third Time May Be The Charm To Pass A Statewide Smoking Ban Law
A coalition of health groups say they will give state Rep. Susan Westrom, D-Lexington, the most public support ever for a bill to ban smoking in Kentucky restaurants and workplaces, a bill she's tried to get passed twice, Jacqueline Pitts of CN2 reports....
- Coalition Of Health Groups Launches Two-week Ad Campaign To Drum Up Support For A Statewide Smoking Ban
A geographically targeted newspaper and online advertising campaign calling for "a comprehensive, statewide smoke-free law" is hitting Kentucky media outlets this week, as the legislature convenes, and next week. The campaign was launched by Smoke-Free...
- Statewide Smoking Ban Proposed In Legislature
State Rep. Susan Westrom of Lexington, left, announced her intent to file a bill today that calls for a statewide smoking ban, which would prohibit cigarette use in workplaces, restaurants, bars and private clubs. The Courier-Journal's Laura Ungar...