Friday, January 30, 2009

COMPREHENSIVE SMOKE FREE AIR BILL (HB1213) HEARING IN FRONT OF HOUSE AND PUBLIC POLICY COMMITTEE

After a great Public forum a couple of weeks ago for the Indiana Campaign for Smokefree Air (thanks to all who came and braved the sub-zero temperatures), we have GREAT news! Next Wednesday, February 4th at 9am, a comprehensive smoke free air bill (House Bill 1213) will have a public hearing in front of the House Public Policy Committee.

The House Public Policy Committee has agreed to hear 1 hour of testimony. If you currently work in a smoking establishment and would like to testify, please e-mail info@smokefreeindy.com. If you are a survivor of a secondhand smoke related illness and would like to share your story with the Committee, please e-mail info@smokefreeindy.com as well.
Please attend this hearing and show that you want to protect all workers in Indiana from the 50 known carcinogens in secondhand smoke. We MUST show the House Public Policy Committee that Smoke Free Indy supports smoke free air at both the local AND state level. Let's fill the room!

Please arrive no later than 8:30am. Wear your green Smoke Free Indy T-shirt. If you still need a t-shirt and plan on attending, e-mail info@smokefreeindy.com with your name and shirt size and we will have one for you there. Bring your friends and family too!

Here are the details:
What: Indiana House Public Policy Committee Hearing
When: Wednesday, February 4th at 9:00 AM
Where: Indiana State House, House Chambers, 1 Floor up from Main Level
200 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN

We hope to see you all there!

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

New Smoke Free Indy Video!

Smoke Free Indy is proud to announce the debut of our new video: Everyone Deserves a Smoke Free Workplace. We worked hard to get testimonies from real Indianapolis citizens on their take of why we as a city we should be smoke free. Visit our website to check it out: www.smokefreeindy.com.

While there make sure to sign up to be receive e-mails and alerts from us on upcoming events, happy hours and other important issues.

Also we are hosting another Smoke Free Happy Hour at BW3's Downtown this Thursday, to find out more information also check out our website.

Monday, January 26, 2009

CASINO SECONDHAND SMOKE EXPOSURE STUDY

Here is a report that was in the news a couple weeks back about the poor air quality in Indiana casinos. This is yet another reason why all workplaces in Indiana should be smoke free.

"The Indiana Academy of Family Physicians and researchers from Purdue University and partners from the Indiana Campaign for Smokefree Air today released the first-ever in-depth study of indoor air quality and secondhand smoke exposure in Indiana’s casinos at a State House news conference this afternoon.

The research study, which conducted and led by Neil Zimmerman, PhD, a Purdue University professor in conjunction with researchers at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, shows that workers in Indiana casinos have significant and harmful levels of exposure to secondhand smoke, despite ventilation systems and other measures intended to minimize secondhand smoke exposure in these casinos.."

Here is the article from the Star: http://www.indystar.com/article/20090114/NEWS/901140347

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

IN REMEMBRANCE OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

January 19, 2009 is a day dedicated to honoring the life and the positive contributions to America made by Dr. Martin Luther King. Dr. King stood up for equality and so does Smoke Free Indy. When it comes to Indianapolis protecting all workers from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke, the playing field is not equal. In honor of the equality that Dr. Martin Luther King lived, fought, and died for, we must protect ALL workers from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke. It is imperative that Indianapolis adopts a comprehensive smoke free ordinance that includes all workplaces and protects all workers.

Dr. King knew that "The time is always right to do right." If you are interested in volunteering for Smoke Free Indy, please e-mail, info@smokefreeindy.com.

In health,
Smoke Free Indy

Monday, January 12, 2009

Town Hall Forum

Please mark you calendars and plan to attend the Indiana Campaign for Smoke Free Air Town Hall Forum "Everyone Deserves Smoekfree Air" on Thursday January 15th at 7:00 p.m. at the Indiana Statehouse, 200 W. Washington St., in the House Chambers (3rd Floor.) This forum will feature doctors, experts, and testimony from individuals adversely impacted by secondhand smoke.

For more information click here.

Smoke Free Indy in Today's Star

Smoke Free Indy was featured on the front page of today's Indianapolis Star!


Advocates want ban on smoking broadened
Effort would make all workplaces smoke-free, including bars


By Brendan O'Shaughnessy


Indianapolis is on the brink of yet another contentious battle over whether the rights of smokers should be restricted to protect the health of others.

Smoke Free Indy, a coalition of health advocates that successfully pushed for Marion County's limited smoking ban three years ago, is now lobbying to outlaw smoking in every workplace in the county, including bars.

"We feel people shouldn't have to choose between their job and their health," said Lindsay Grace, campaign coordinator for the group. "We can't cater to a minority (smokers) anymore...."


Please take a moment to read this entire article, and if you have time please send a thank you letter to Brendan O'Shaunnessy or to the paper's editorial board thanking them for writing such a well balanced piece on why Indianapolis should be smoke free.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

IBJ Editorial

Here is a great editorial featured in this weeks Indianapolis Business Journal (1/05/09-1/11/09) highlighting the top priorities the city should make in 2009. This first priority is to make all of Indianapolis smoke free!

"Now that we’ve closed the book on a difficult year, let’s recognize some of the bright spots of 2008 as well as some areas that need improvement. We propose these new year’s resolutions for Indianapolis:
Let’s make all Indianapolis workplaces smokefree. Hancock County just passed such a law. So have Bloomington, Cumberland, Fort Wayne, Plainfield and Zionsville. The partial local ban on workplace smoking enacted in 2006 was a good start. Now we need to finish the job by extending the prohibition to bars, bowling alleys, private clubs and outdoor dining areas. If Hancock County can do it, so can Indianapolis. Secondhand smoke kills—what more do we need to know?"

Hopefully 2009 is the year in which we make this a reality. Take a second if you can to thank the editorial board of the IBJ for supporting smoke free air. To read the full editorial click here.