Health News
Backers of an effort to ban smoking in all public places in Kentucky took their message on the road this week in hopes of getting legislation passed in the 2013 General Assembly. The Smoke Free Kentucky Coalition swept through the state's largest cities to gather support for a final punch to be delivered at the annual Fancy Farm Picnic in Graves County on Saturday. Beth Musgrave of the Lexington Herald-Leader reports that one of the week's first stops was at the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, a longtime supporter of the statewide smoking ban. "We know that a majority of Kentuckians support a smoke-free Kentucky," said Amy Barkley, chairwoman of the coalition. (KRT graphic)
Rep. Susan Westrom, D-Lexington, has sponsored a statewide smoking ban for several years. During the 2012 legislative session, the House Health and Welfare Committee passed the measure, but the full House did not vote on it. Westrom told the Herald-Leader that said she did not aggressively pursue the matter during the 2012 session because all 100 members of the House are up for re-election in November. "But we've had several members who have said that they will be co-sponsors" next year, she said.
Musgrave notes that even Westrom is unsure how the the Republican-led Senate will vote. Senate President David Williams has said he supports the idea of a statewide smoking ban, while opponents of the proposal have said it represents an overreach of government power. "There are personal property rights that are being trampled," Rep. Ben Waide, R-Madisonville, said when he voted against a statewide smoking ban in March.
- Smoking-ban Supporters On 'road To A Healthier Kentucky Tour' Next Week To Rally Support For The 2015 Legislative Session
The Smoke-Free Kentucky Coalition is kicking off its 2015 campaign to rally support for comprehensive, statewide smoke-free laws on its "Road to a Healthier Kentucky" Tour, from Monday, July 28 to Saturday, August 2. The tour plans to make at least 10...
- Chief Sponsor Of Statewide Smoking Ban Says It Has The Votes To Pass The House; Prospects In The Senate Are Not As Good
A bill to ban smoking in most workplaces and public places, including restaurants and bars, is on its way to the House floor, its main sponsor said after fast approval in committee. After the House Health and Welfare Committee approved the ban for the...
- 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....
- Smoking Ban Bill Clears House Committee For First Time; But Sponsor Says She Won't Take It Farther This Session
A measure for a statewide smoking ban passed the House Health and Welfare Committee today, the first time such a bill has cleared committee in legislative history, Deborah Yetter reports for The Courier-Journal. But House Bill 289 is not expected to...
- Statewide Smoking Ban Bill Will Be Filed Again; Gubernatorial Candidates Say It's Not Necessary At This Point
For the second year, a bill that would ban smoking in all public places statewide will be filed and considered by the General Assembly. State Rep. Susan Westrom, left, who proposed a ban last year, outlined her plan Wednesday. Westrom's proposal,...
Health News
Smoke Free Kentucky Coalition's multi-city tour launches push for statewide smoking ban in 2013 legislature
Rep. Susan Westrom, D-Lexington, has sponsored a statewide smoking ban for several years. During the 2012 legislative session, the House Health and Welfare Committee passed the measure, but the full House did not vote on it. Westrom told the Herald-Leader that said she did not aggressively pursue the matter during the 2012 session because all 100 members of the House are up for re-election in November. "But we've had several members who have said that they will be co-sponsors" next year, she said.
Musgrave notes that even Westrom is unsure how the the Republican-led Senate will vote. Senate President David Williams has said he supports the idea of a statewide smoking ban, while opponents of the proposal have said it represents an overreach of government power. "There are personal property rights that are being trampled," Rep. Ben Waide, R-Madisonville, said when he voted against a statewide smoking ban in March.
- Smoking-ban Supporters On 'road To A Healthier Kentucky Tour' Next Week To Rally Support For The 2015 Legislative Session
The Smoke-Free Kentucky Coalition is kicking off its 2015 campaign to rally support for comprehensive, statewide smoke-free laws on its "Road to a Healthier Kentucky" Tour, from Monday, July 28 to Saturday, August 2. The tour plans to make at least 10...
- Chief Sponsor Of Statewide Smoking Ban Says It Has The Votes To Pass The House; Prospects In The Senate Are Not As Good
A bill to ban smoking in most workplaces and public places, including restaurants and bars, is on its way to the House floor, its main sponsor said after fast approval in committee. After the House Health and Welfare Committee approved the ban for the...
- 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....
- Smoking Ban Bill Clears House Committee For First Time; But Sponsor Says She Won't Take It Farther This Session
A measure for a statewide smoking ban passed the House Health and Welfare Committee today, the first time such a bill has cleared committee in legislative history, Deborah Yetter reports for The Courier-Journal. But House Bill 289 is not expected to...
- Statewide Smoking Ban Bill Will Be Filed Again; Gubernatorial Candidates Say It's Not Necessary At This Point
For the second year, a bill that would ban smoking in all public places statewide will be filed and considered by the General Assembly. State Rep. Susan Westrom, left, who proposed a ban last year, outlined her plan Wednesday. Westrom's proposal,...