Foundation Lauds Expansion of Paducah Smoke-Free Law
(LOUISVILLE, KY - April 11, 2018) The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky released the statement below following passage by the Paducah City Commission of an expanded smoke-free law that removes several exemptions and now covers use of e-cigarettes.
"Congratulations to the Paducah City Council and to the coalition of residents and advocates who have worked tirelessly to improve health in Paducah by expanding the city's smoke-free law," said Ben Chandler, president and CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky. "The comprehensive law now protects residents from secondhand smoke in all public spaces and workplaces and covers e-cigarettes as well as traditional cigarettes. This policy ensures that all who live, work and visit in Paducah can enjoy their right to breathe air that is free of tobacco smoke and related emissions. Studies show that comprehensive smoke-free laws decrease hospital admissions for emphysema and ER visits for asthma, reduce heart attacks and strokes, prompt more smokers to quit, and discourage youth from starting to smoke. These laws also benefit business by reducing health care, cleaning and maintenance costs and improving working productivity."
About the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky
Funded by an endowment, the mission of the nonpartisan Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky is to address the unmet health needs of Kentuckians by developing and influencing policy, improving access to care, reducing health risks and disparities, and promoting health equity. Since the Foundation opened its doors in 2001, it has invested more than $27 million in health policy research, advocacy, and demonstration project grants across the Commonwealth Follow the Foundation on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, and visit our website at www.healthy-ky.org.
Media Contacts:
Bonnie J. Hackbarth
877-326-2583 (Office)
502-552-3770 (Mobile)
Angela Koch
877-326-2583 (Office)
502-759-2171 (Mobile)