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...
- 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...
- 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...
- Hopkinsville Newspaper Endorses Smoking Ban
The Kentucky New Era newspaper in Hopkinsville said in a recent editorial that if the state legislature doesn't enact a smoking ban, the city should. The General Assembly "should not squander the opportunity or delay action on a law that could protect...
- 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
Weekly paper in Hazard calls for statewide smoking ban
A statewide smoking ban should be a priority for the Kentucky General Assembly when it begins its session Jan. 7, The Hazard Herald said in an editorial during Christmas week.
Noting that the state ranks first in both adult and youth smoking, the weekly newspaper said a ban on smoking in workplaces and enclosed public places would be "a good place to start" on public-policy changes to make Kentucky a healthier state.
"Second-hand smoke is listed as a known human carcinogen by the federal government, and has been linked to lung cancer," the editorial notes. "The American Cancer Society also notes there is evidence linking it to other diseases, such as heart disease and asthma. These are things we know, and yet our state legislature has remained unwilling to issue basic protections to non-smokers in the form of a statewide smoke-free law."
Noting the bans in nearby Prestonsburg and other Kentucky towns and counties, the newspaper said, "Local ordinances are simply not going to solve the problem, because too many local governments will never approve them. We doubt either of the current administrations in Hazard, Vicco, or Perry County would favor a local smoke-free ordinance, despite the obvious benefits one would pose. So, it will be up to our state legislature to tackle this issue and find the political courage to support the right of Kentuckians to breathe clean air." (Read more; click on image below for larger version)
Noting that the state ranks first in both adult and youth smoking, the weekly newspaper said a ban on smoking in workplaces and enclosed public places would be "a good place to start" on public-policy changes to make Kentucky a healthier state.
"Second-hand smoke is listed as a known human carcinogen by the federal government, and has been linked to lung cancer," the editorial notes. "The American Cancer Society also notes there is evidence linking it to other diseases, such as heart disease and asthma. These are things we know, and yet our state legislature has remained unwilling to issue basic protections to non-smokers in the form of a statewide smoke-free law."
Noting the bans in nearby Prestonsburg and other Kentucky towns and counties, the newspaper said, "Local ordinances are simply not going to solve the problem, because too many local governments will never approve them. We doubt either of the current administrations in Hazard, Vicco, or Perry County would favor a local smoke-free ordinance, despite the obvious benefits one would pose. So, it will be up to our state legislature to tackle this issue and find the political courage to support the right of Kentuckians to breathe clean air." (Read more; click on image below for larger version)
- 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...
- 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...
- 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...
- Hopkinsville Newspaper Endorses Smoking Ban
The Kentucky New Era newspaper in Hopkinsville said in a recent editorial that if the state legislature doesn't enact a smoking ban, the city should. The General Assembly "should not squander the opportunity or delay action on a law that could protect...
- 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,...