Letter To Editor

July 1 marks the 5-year anniversary of Indiana’s state smoke-free air law. This law was a milestone for the state of Indiana in protecting thousands of Hoosiers from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke. Unfortunately, it also left many workers unprotected. In Kosciusko County, we have the opportunity to make up for what the state smoke-free air law is lacking, to cover all public venues including bars and membership clubs.

Our community cannot afford the health and economic burden of secondhand smoke – it costs our county $25.8 million and 16 deaths a year. There is a mounting of public health benefits that comprehensive smoke-free air laws provides. Just last month, the city of Indianapolis reported a decline in heart attack hospital admissions by approximately 25 percent in the 5 years following its comprehensive smoke-free air ordinance. It is important that Kosciusko County leaders take the appropriate actions to protect more workers from secondhand smoke so that we can also reap the health and economic benefits of smoke-free air.

Secondhand smoke costs Indiana $2.1 billion dollars in excess medical expenses and premature loss of life, or about $328 dollars per person each year. The burden of these expenses is assumed by businesses, government, and individual citizens.

We have the opportunity to improve the quality of life for our communities. Each community has authority and responsibility to develop stronger smoke-free air laws to protect more local workers from secondhand smoke.

It is important that you contact our local legislators to start working on a comprehensive law for our towns in Kosciusko County.

Dan Gray
Director
Kosciusko County Tobacco Free Coalition
(260) 571-2464