Health News
- Kentucky Hospital Association Backs State Smoking Ban
The Kentucky Hospital Association on Thursday reiterated its support of smoke-free workplaces and public places throughout the state in hopes that 2015 will be the year that legislators pass a statewide ban on smoking in enclosed spaces. ?Kentucky hospitals...
- 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...
- State Business And Health Groups Team Up For Forums To Answer The Question: Do Smoking Bans Help The Bottom Line?
Some of Kentucky?s leading health and business organizations will host a series of smoke-free forums throughout the state throughout the fall. A joint effort of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, the Kentucky Public Health Association, Foundation for the...
- 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
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 media appearances across the state on its way to its final stop at the annual Fancy Farm Picnic in Graves County. The coalition says its goal is to get Kentuckians active and engaged in supporting smoke-free policy as the campaign gears up for the next legislative session. The message: "It's time to take a stand for better health by making Kentucky a smoke-free state."
The coalition says 24 other states have comprehensive, statewide smoke-free laws that cover all indoor workplaces and public places, including bars and restaurants. State Rep. Susan Westrom, D-Lexington, has introduced such legislation during the last four legislative sessions but it has not gotten a floor vote in the full House. Last year's bill apparently died because legislators feared backlash in an election year.
Almost 30 percent of Kentuckians still smoke, more than any other state in the nation, but a poll last fall showed 65 percent of Kentuckians favored a smoke-free workplace law, and 90 percent of Kentucky Chamber of Commerce members support such a law.
?2015 is the year we are finally going to pass a smoke-free law and protect everyone?s right to breathe clean air in Kentucky,? said Amy Barkley, chair of the coalition. ?We know Kentuckians support going smoke-free, and we?re touring the state to call attention to those supporters.?
Here's the tour schedule:
Monday, July 28: King's Daughters Medical Center, 2201 Lexington Ave, Ashland, noon.
Tuesday, July 29: Appalachian Regional Healthcare, 110 Medical Center Dr., Hazard, 11 a.m.; Manchester City Hall, 123 Town Square, 3 p.m.
Wednesday, July 30: Markey Cancer Center, 800 Rose St., Lexington, 11 a.m.; Norton Cancer Institute, 676 S. Floyd Street, Louisville, 3 p.m.
Thursday, July 31: Big Dawg Country Radio, 101 E. Main St., Campbellsville, 11 a.m.; Fountain Square Park, Bowling Green, 2 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 1: Smothers Park, 199 West Veterans Blvd., Owensboro, 10 a.m.; Baptist Health (formerly Trover Clinic), 900 Hospital Dr. Madisonville, 12:30 p.m.; Baptist Health Paducah, 2501 Kentucky Ave., 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, August 2: Fancy Farm Picnic, St. Jerome Church, Fancy Farm, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Barkley says she can be reached at 502-777-8148 or [email protected] to inquire about additional stops. For more information visit www.smokefreekentucky.org or contact Betsy Janes, 502-797-0638 or [email protected].
The coalition includes the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the American Lung Association, the American Heart Association, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and other local health, businesses and community partners.
The tour plans to make at least 10 media appearances across the state on its way to its final stop at the annual Fancy Farm Picnic in Graves County. The coalition says its goal is to get Kentuckians active and engaged in supporting smoke-free policy as the campaign gears up for the next legislative session. The message: "It's time to take a stand for better health by making Kentucky a smoke-free state."
The coalition says 24 other states have comprehensive, statewide smoke-free laws that cover all indoor workplaces and public places, including bars and restaurants. State Rep. Susan Westrom, D-Lexington, has introduced such legislation during the last four legislative sessions but it has not gotten a floor vote in the full House. Last year's bill apparently died because legislators feared backlash in an election year.
Almost 30 percent of Kentuckians still smoke, more than any other state in the nation, but a poll last fall showed 65 percent of Kentuckians favored a smoke-free workplace law, and 90 percent of Kentucky Chamber of Commerce members support such a law.
?2015 is the year we are finally going to pass a smoke-free law and protect everyone?s right to breathe clean air in Kentucky,? said Amy Barkley, chair of the coalition. ?We know Kentuckians support going smoke-free, and we?re touring the state to call attention to those supporters.?
Here's the tour schedule:
Monday, July 28: King's Daughters Medical Center, 2201 Lexington Ave, Ashland, noon.
Tuesday, July 29: Appalachian Regional Healthcare, 110 Medical Center Dr., Hazard, 11 a.m.; Manchester City Hall, 123 Town Square, 3 p.m.
Wednesday, July 30: Markey Cancer Center, 800 Rose St., Lexington, 11 a.m.; Norton Cancer Institute, 676 S. Floyd Street, Louisville, 3 p.m.
Thursday, July 31: Big Dawg Country Radio, 101 E. Main St., Campbellsville, 11 a.m.; Fountain Square Park, Bowling Green, 2 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 1: Smothers Park, 199 West Veterans Blvd., Owensboro, 10 a.m.; Baptist Health (formerly Trover Clinic), 900 Hospital Dr. Madisonville, 12:30 p.m.; Baptist Health Paducah, 2501 Kentucky Ave., 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, August 2: Fancy Farm Picnic, St. Jerome Church, Fancy Farm, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Barkley says she can be reached at 502-777-8148 or [email protected] to inquire about additional stops. For more information visit www.smokefreekentucky.org or contact Betsy Janes, 502-797-0638 or [email protected].
The coalition includes the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the American Lung Association, the American Heart Association, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and other local health, businesses and community partners.
- Kentucky Hospital Association Backs State Smoking Ban
The Kentucky Hospital Association on Thursday reiterated its support of smoke-free workplaces and public places throughout the state in hopes that 2015 will be the year that legislators pass a statewide ban on smoking in enclosed spaces. ?Kentucky hospitals...
- 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...
- State Business And Health Groups Team Up For Forums To Answer The Question: Do Smoking Bans Help The Bottom Line?
Some of Kentucky?s leading health and business organizations will host a series of smoke-free forums throughout the state throughout the fall. A joint effort of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, the Kentucky Public Health Association, Foundation for the...
- 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...