Coalition Lauds Oldham County Fiscal Court for Strengthening Protections from Secondhand Smoke
(FRANKFORT, KY - April 17, 2018) The Coalition for a Smoke-Free Tomorrow issued the following statement after the Oldham County Fiscal Court voted to remove exemptions and add e-cigarettes to its smoke-free law: "Congratulations to the Fiscal Court, the Health Department, and the residents and advocates whose efforts have led to stronger protection from secondhand smoke and other tobacco-related emissions for Oldham County workers. "Strengthening this law -- by removing exemptions that left some workers unprotected and by including e-cigarettes -- recognizes that everyone has the right to breathe clean air. Doing so recognizes that comprehensive smoke-free workplace ordinances improve health, and save health care dollars. And it recognizes that no one should have to choose between their lives, and their livelihood. "Including e-cigarettes among the tobacco products that must be taken outside will keep the air in indoor public spaces and enclosed workplaces free of the toxic aerosol and pollution emitted by these devices. Oldham County is one of 21 Kentucky jurisdictions that has protected workers from these emissions, which can cause lung cancer and contribute to heart disease. "Oldham County now can join the ranks of those communities in Kentucky that are seeing lower rates of new lung cancer cases, emphysema hospitalizations, and heart attacks. As a result of this action, more Oldham County smokers who want to quit are more likely to do so successfully, because they'll experience fewer triggers. Fewer youth will begin smoking, because they won't see as many adults using tobacco. And Oldham County businesses will have lower health care costs and be able to serve the 87 percent of tourists who prefer a smoke-free environment."
About the Coalition for a Smoke-Free Tomorrow
The Coalition for a Smoke-Free Tomorrow is committed to its mission of improving Kentucky's health by protecting Kentuckians from secondhand smoke and other tobacco emissions, and by reducing the high rate of smoking and tobacco use in the Commonwealth. For more information, please visit www.smokefreetomorrow.org.
The Coalition is led by representatives of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, Baptist Health, Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, Humana, Kentucky Cancer Foundation, Kentucky Center for Smoke-Free Policy, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Kentucky Council of Churches, Kentucky Equal Justice Center, Kentucky Health Collaborative, Kentucky Health Departments Association, Kentucky Hospital Association, Kentucky Medical Association, Kentucky Nurses Association, Kentucky School Boards Association, Kentucky Voices for Health, and Kentucky Youth Advocates. Other partners and members of the Coalition represent a broad array of more than 155 groups, including Kentucky business leaders, health advocates, health care providers and payers, educators, and faith community leaders.
Media Contacts:
Bonnie J. Hackbarth
877-326-2583 (Office)
502-552-3770 (Mobile)
Angela Koch
877-326-2583 (Office)
502-759-2171 (Mobile)