On May 1st, the American Lung Association, American Heart Association, Pennsylvania Alliance to Control Tobacco, and statewide health advocates made a stand for comprehensive clean indoor air for all workers in Pennsylvania. The cry “No More Exemptions” was heard by lawmakers at the State Capitol.



Pennsylvania enacted a Clean Indoor Air law in 2008, but as beneficial as that law was, it was not perfect. That law has several exemptions that allow workers and patrons at thousands of Pennsylvania businesses to be exposed to secondhand smoke. These business exemptions include:

• Bars, with 20 percent or less revenue from food sales
• Casinos (up to 50 percent of the gaming floor)
• Private Clubs
• Tobacco Shops
• Cigar Bars
• Truck stops with shower facilities

Comprehensive clean indoor air legislation would prohibit smoking in all indoor workplaces and public places, with no exemptions. A comprehensive clean indoor air law would protect all workers and the public from the harmful pollutants, including carcinogens, of secondhand smoke exposure and would provide a level playing field for all businesses across the Commonwealth.

Secondhand smoke is a known cause of lung cancer, heart disease, chronic lung ailments such as bronchitis and asthma (particularly in children), and low birth-weight births.


Over 38,000 people die every years in the United States and over one million illnesses in children are caused by secondhand smoke - every year! Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids


Provide a level playing field for all businesses across the Commonwealth (No Exemptions!)  Clean Indoor Air legislation does not have a negative impact on businesses – in some cases, businesses grow.


There is a dedicated Comprehensive Clean Indoor Air Facebook page for Pennsylvania!  Everyone in Pennsylvania deserves clean indoor air.  No more clean indoor air exemptions!  


Please “like” the Clean Indoor Air for All Pennsylvanians Facebook page and share your thoughts and ideas.  

Take a stand for Smoke Free Ohio - don't let implementation go unfunded!

Flashback to November 2006 - Ohioans like you came together and overwhelmingly voted in favor of Smoke Free Ohio to protect their health.

Flashforward to June 2011 - Ohio's legislative leaders and governor do not want to fund implementation of Smoke Free Ohio. Without implementation funding, Smoke Free Ohio will be unenforceable.

You voted for Smoke Free Ohio in 2006, now we need you to stand your ground in 2011! Advocates like you are gathering for a press conference at the Statehouse this afternoon to make their voices heard - will you support them virtually?

Send your message now to tell legislators that Smoke Free Ohio implementation funding is important to you.

Thank you for protecting the health of Ohioans by supporting this critical law!

Breathable air is right we all have


Published 10:00am Friday, April 8, 2011

The legal challenge may have stemmed from a smoke-filled Columbus bar room, but the ramifications will impact every Ohioan.

The Ohio Supreme Court decided Wednesday they will hear a case that challenges the constitutionality of the statewide smoking ban.

The ban, which prohibits smoking in most public places, was approved by nearly 60 percent of the voters in 2006, meaning it certainly represented the voice of the people.

The argument of allowing smoking in indoor, public places or allowing smoking at your place of business should go up in flames.

There is nothing in the U.S. Constitution that would protect this.

And while it can be argued the government oversteps its bounds when it rules what a private business can and cannot do, this is really no different from many of the other regulations that businesses must follow.

The bottom line is that smoking inside indoor, public places infringes on the rights — for clean air — of others.

This is a chance for the state’s high court to stand up for the freedoms and rights of all Ohioans who wouldn’t be given a choice of “smoking” or “non” if it is once again allowed in public places.

The right to breathe clean air should be a fundamental right, not something for which we have to work.

Today Kentucky Youth Advocates, the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, and the Kentucky Center for Smoke-free Policy officially launch a new web resource of interest to Kentucky journalists.


SortingthroughtheSmoke.com is a one-stop shop for individuals interested in documenting the impact of Kentucky’s high tobacco usage on the health of its residents.

The website features a newsfeed of stories on tobacco that are being generated by journalists across the state, sortable by county and category. It also provides state and county-level data on the negative health effects caused by smoking including: the percent of adults and teens who smoke, the percent of births to mothers who smoke during pregnancy, and the prevalence of asthma, heart disease, and cancers associated with smoking. In addition the site includes information on county and city smoke-free policies; local expert contact information; and resources that can help tell the health story behind tobacco in Kentucky, including information from both regulatory and free-market approaches .


View the new website at sortingthroughthesmoke.com.

Sorting through the smoke is made possible with the support of the American Legacy Foundation and the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky.

Bring your friends, colleagues and neighbors and join the Kentucky Center for Smoke-Free Policy and advocates from across the state as we work toward a Smoke-Free Kentucky!

Going for the Goal
Spring Smoke-Free Conference
Thursday, March 24th
8 am-4:15 pm
Marriott Griffin Gate Resort, Lexington, KY

Click to learn more, see the agenda or register today!

Thank you for helping us create a healthier Kentucky!

Unfortunately, last night by a vote of 3-1, The Campbell County Fiscal Court voted to repeal Campbell County's smoke-free ordinance. Although we weren't successful in preventing repeal of the ordinance, we wanted to THANK everyone who made their voice heard by attending a meeting, writing or emailing your elected officials or making a phone call.

The comprehensive ordinance that would have protected the health of all patrons and workers in Campbell County from the known dangers of secondhand smoke was enacted by the former fiscal court in December 2010 and had been scheduled to take effect on April 15, 2011.

But the fight for smokefree indoor air isn't over! The American Heart Association and health advocates are greatly disappointed in the vote, but we will continue to work toward a smoke-free Kentucky.

If you haven't yet sent a message to your state lawmakers to support the Smokefree Kentucky Act, please take a moment to send your message now!

This is our last chance to save the smoke-free law!

Last December, Campbell County voted for a comprehensive smoke-free workplace ordinance to preserve the lives of workers and patrons of Campbell County's bars, restaurants and bowling alleys. Unfortunately, this legislation is being threatened and we need to take action to make sure Campbell County residents keep the right to breathe smoke-free air.

This is our last chance! We need your voice TODAY!

The Campbell County Fiscal Court will vote to kill our new smoke-free law this Wednesday, February 16th at 7 p.m. - unless they hear from you! Thanks to those of you who have worked so hard on this important issue! We need your help ONE MORE TIME to ensure that no one has to risk their health to earn a paycheck or enjoy a night out in Campbell County.

Please send a message NOW to the members who are threatening to overturn the 100% smoke-free workplace ordinance that was passed in December after years of debate and public input. Contact them TODAY and urge them to let the smoke-free law go into effect to protect the rights of nonsmokers to breathe smoke-free air.

On behalf of the American Heart Association advocacy team, Welcome to the 2011 Session of the Kentucky General Assembly!

As you’ve likely heard, the session is already off to an exciting start with the introduction of Kentucky’s first statewide smoke-free bill, HB 193. House Bill 193, The Smokefree Kentucky Act, would make all indoor workplaces and indoor public places across the state smoke-free. There are currently 29 Kentucky communities that have passed smoke-free laws, but we know that there is NO safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke and that ALL workers deserve to breathe smoke-free air while they earn a living

Voice Your Support for a Smokefree Kentucky!

In fact, a recent poll shows that 59% of Kentucky voters support a strong smoke-free bill that would protect workers and patrons in all workplaces, including restaurants and bars.

What can you do? Take a minute right now to tell your legislators that you support HB 193.

Please also tune in at 8 pm tonight to KET's Kentucky Tonight program with Bill Goodman and guests, Rep. Susan Westrom, Rep. Jim DeCesare, Amy Barkley with the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and Jim Waters with the Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy Solutions. We encourage you to not only watch, but get involved! Viewers with questions and comments can send e-mail (including name and town or county) to kytonight@ket.org or use the message form at www.ket.org/kytonight. The phone number for viewer calls during the program is 1-800-494-7605.

Twenty-three other states have already taken this important step to protect their citizens, and, in all cases, found that it does not hurt business because smoke-free laws are very popular with the public.

Take a moment now to urge your lawmakers to help Kentucky become the 24th comprehensive smoke-free state!

We look forward to an exciting campaign to make Kentucky a healthier place to live!

FRANKFORT, KY (January 6, 2011) – Kentucky health advocates today released a new poll showing 59% of Kentucky voters support passing a law to make all restaurants, bars and other workplaces smoke-free. The release is part of the launch of Smoke-Free Kentucky’s campaign to ensure that all Kentuckians have the right to breathe clean, smoke-free air in public places and at work.

• 76 percent believe that exposure to secondhand smoke is harmful; with 48 percent of voters believing that it is a serious health hazard.
• 67 percent of voters (including 48 percent of smokers) believe the right of customers and employees to breathe clean air in restaurants and bars is more important than the right of smokers to smoke or owners to allow smoking in these places.
• 55 percent of Kentucky voters prefer a candidate for state office who supports a smoke-free law over one who opposes it. This support comes from a majority of Democrats, Republicans and independents.

Due to the overwhelming and irrefutable evidence that secondhand smoke harms human health, coupled with strong public support, Rep. Susan Westrom (D-Lexington) today announced her intent to file a bill calling for a comprehensive statewide smoke-free law in Kentucky.

“It’s not just an annoyance, it’s a known cause of premature death and disease in non-smokers,” said Westrom. “No one should have to choose between their health and a paycheck. Smoke-free policies are an easy way to solve a serious public health problem, they are good for business, and they are very popular with Kentucky voters.”

Currently, people in 27 Kentucky communities have at least some level of protection in the workplace and public places. However, Smoke-Free Kentucky believes everyone has the right to breathe clean air at work and deserves to be free from this unnecessary health risk.

“We encourage Kentucky’s local elected officials to continue to pass laws making workplaces in their communities 100% smoke-free,” said Amy Barkley of the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids. “While we continue that local progress, we’re starting to educate state legislators as well, so that when the time is right, they will pass a comprehensive smoke-free law that covers all workplaces, including restaurants and bars, across the state of Kentucky.” Across the United States, 23 states and 447 municipalities have enacted strong smoke-free laws that apply to all workplaces, restaurants and bars.

These laws are an appropriate response to the overwhelming scientific evidence that secondhand smoke is a serious health hazard that causes heart disease, lung cancer, and other serious illnesses. As smoke-free laws have spread, the evidence has also grown that these laws protect health without harming business in bars, restaurants and other hospitality venues.

“Secondhand smoke causes death and disease. There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Even brief exposure puts a person at risk for a heart attack or an asthma attack. Every exposure to the cancer-causing chemicals in tobacco smoke can damage DNA in a way that leads to cancer.” said Dr. Goetz Kloecker, Director of the Thoracic Oncology Clinic at the University of Louisville Brown Cancer Center.

The need for protecting Kentuckians from secondhand smoke in all workplaces and public places has never been greater. The evidence is also clear that smoke-free laws protect health without harming business. As the U.S. Surgeon General concluded in a 2006 report, “Evidence from peer-reviewed studies shows that smoke-free policies and regulations do not have an adverse impact on the hospitality industry.” Several of these peer-reviewed studies done in Kentucky show the same thing: smoke-free laws do not hurt business.

The survey of 500 likely Kentucky voters was released by the American Heart Association, American Lung Association, American Cancer Society, and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, which are all founding members of the Smoke-Free Kentucky coalition. Polling firm Public Opinion Strategies conducted the survey, which has a sample of 500 registered likely Kentucky voters and was conducted December 12th to December 14th, 2010. The poll has a margin of error of +/- 4.38 percentage points.

Campbell County, KY has become the 28th smoke-free community in the Commonwealth of Kentucky! The ordinance is comprehensive, making Campbell County the 18th Kentucky community with a comprehensive smoke-free ordinance or regulation.



Thank you so much to the advocates who have been working with us on this issue for over 6 years!!

Just five short years ago, advocates just like you were submitting the first round of signatures to place Smoke-Free Ohio on the ballot. Look how far we've come!

It was just five years ago that we were still answering "non-smoking section, please." Can you imagine going back?

Unfortunately, there are some who still think we should. Because opponents of smoke-free air are vocal, it's critical that we also stay vigilant in letting our decision makers know, "we love our Smoke-Free Ohio!"

Send your message today!

In addition, if you haven't yet sent your message in support of smoke-free school campuses, take a moment to do that now! Ohio's kids shouldn't learn about tobacco use on school grounds--inside or out.

Thank you for all you do to help reduce the devastating effects of tobacco in Ohio!

A decision out of the 10th District Court of Appeals this week upholds Ohio’s Smoke Free Act requiring Zeno’s of Victorian Village to abide by the smoking ban. The ruling supports the case against Zeno’s filed by Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray and Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Director Alvin D. Jackson, M.D in August 2009.

“With this lawsuit, as with others, my office has sought to enforce the law that Ohioans passed—in this instance, a law that was passed not by the legislature but the people themselves at the ballot box,” said Cordray. “This ruling not only supports the merits of our case against Zeno’s but sends a strong message to other establishments that they are required to abide the law.”

With this week’s decision the Court reversed the decision by the trial court which had rejected ODH’s request for injunction under the Smoke Free Act. In this ruling, the 10th District held that ODH is entitled to a permanent injunction because “the evidence is overwhelming that Zeno’s repeatedly and intentionally violated the Smoke Free Act” and ordered the trial court to issue the injunction as requested by ODH.

“This decision is a great victory for Public Health in Ohio,” said Jackson. “It affirms our efforts to enforce the Smoke Free Workplace Act and protect Ohioans from dangerous second hand smoke while they work and frequent public places.”

In November 2006, Ohioans passed the Smoke Free Act, making Ohio the 12th state to protect all workers and the public from exposure to secondhand smoke in public places. Enforcement began May 3, 2007. Since then, more than 53,000 allegations have been called in to Ohio’s toll-free enforcement number, (866) 559-OHIO (6446).

More than 280,000 public places and places of employment are covered by the indoor smoking ban and Jackson stated that the vast majority of Ohio businesses are complying with the law. He added, ODH and its partners at Ohio’s local health departments have been and will continue to investigate every complaint in an effort to protect and improve the health of all Ohioans.

To date, ODH and Ohio’s local health departments have conducted more than 33,000 investigations which have resulted in the issuance of more than 3,600 warning letters. In addition, more than 2,500 fines have been assessed.

Content provided by the Ohio Department of Health

We ask, and you answer -- every time! A big thank you to everyone who attended Kenton County Fiscal Court meeting last week! You helped make a great case for Smoke-Free Northern Kentucky!

What's next? Judge-Executive Steve Pendery said at the last Campbell County Fiscal Court meeting that he expected a first reading of a smoke-free ordinance "before the end of the month."

There is only 1 MEETING left this month in Campbell County and it is THIS Wednesday, November 17th at 5:30 pm in Newport.

The meeting will be held at the:

Fiscal Court Chambers
1098 Monmouth St.
Newport, KY 41071

Please make plans to come -- and bring a friend! If you are able to attend, so that we'll know how many supporters to expect, please let us know!

And then take a moment to forward this message to your friends, neighbors, and colleagues who want to help make Smoke-Free Northern Kentucky a reality!

Thank you!

You may have heard that a draft smoke free law has been released in the media for consideration by elected officials in Northern Kentucky. The proposed ordinance covers all workplaces, including restaurants and bars with just a very limited exemption for certain private clubs.
Your elected officials need to hear from you now about your support for a strong smoke free law that protects the rights of all residents and workers to breathe clean, smoke free air at work and in public places. This proposed ordinance fits the bill - and the county judges and commissioners should pass it without adding exemptions or loopholes that will leave some people unprotected.

Whether you live in Boone County, Campbell County, or Kenton County, speak up now for your right to smoke free air by emailing your elected officials. Ask them to support a 100% smoke free Northern Kentucky!

Please let us know if you get a response. Thanks for your support!

COVINGTON, Ky. - A new study released yesterday is further proof that smoke-free laws do not negatively affect restaurant and bar business. Elected officials in Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties should enact comprehensive smoke-free ordinances to protect public health without fear of harming local businesses.

Mark Pyles of the School of Business at the College of Charleston and Ellen Hahn of the College of Nursing at the University of Kentucky conducted the study, which showed that Northern Kentucky border counties experienced the same increase in economic indicators that its surrounding non-border counties did. After a review of unemployment records and income levels, the study concluded that Ohio’s smoke-free law had no economic impact on the Northern Kentucky border counties.

Opponents of smoke-free laws in Northern Kentucky have often said that Kentucky establishments experienced windfall profits after Ohio passed a smoke-free law. We can now affirmatively say that this claim is false. Kentucky did not experience an influx of business when Ohio went smoke-free. Northern Kentucky can move forward with smoke-free laws as it is not experiencing financial gains from Ohio under the current circumstances. Additionally if Northern Kentucky went smoke-free, there is no evidence that business would leave the region to go elsewhere.


Studies all over the world have shown that smoke-free laws either have no impact or a positive impact on restaurant and bar business. Now the Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati region is among the many communities that have evidence showing that smoke-free laws do not drive away business.

Although smoke-free laws do not harm the economy, secondhand smoke does harm health. The debate is over regarding the health effects of secondhand smoke. An Institute of Medicine report released just last week conclusively confirms the scientific evidence that secondhand smoke increases the risk of heart disease, and that smoke-free laws reduce the risk of heart attacks. The Surgeon General and other health authorities have firmly established that there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke.

Secondhand smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals, including at least 69 known carcinogens. The Surgeon General has concluded that secondhand smoke is a proven cause of lung cancer, heart disease and serious respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis, low birth weight and sudden infant death syndrome.

Mountains of evidence support the need for smoke-free laws to protect workers’ health. The evidence is also clear that smoke-free laws protect health without harming business.

More information: http://www.mc.uky.edu/tobaccopolicy/NewReleases/

A report released today by the Institute of Medicine provides strong evidence that smoke-free laws reduce the risks of heart attacks and other acute cardiac events. Good news that AHA’s smoke-free laws are having an impact! Read more: http://bit.ly/4Ndll

The successful implementation of comprehensive clean indoor air regulations in a number of counties, including Kanawha, have mobilized opponents of clean indoor air to seek a legislative remedy.

Primarily led by gambling interests, legislation is being proposed which would greatly limit or remove the ability of local boards of health from restricting smoking in gaming facilities or bars. Obviously, the AHA supports implementation of strong, comprehensive smoking regulations and is organizing to stop any legislation which would restrict the ability of communities to be protected from exposure to second hand smoke.

Preparations for the 2010 legislative session, which begins in January, are already underway in West Virginia. In early September, the AHA and our partners in the Coalition for a Tobacco Free West Virginia hosted a Tobacco Tax Forum which resulted in a number of new organizations signing on in support of a tobacco excise tax increase. Watch your inbox for ways you can help as we move into session!