Secondhand Smoke Linked To Breast Cancer

The Ontario Tobacco Research Unit just released a study in which they concluded that there is significant evidence to link both active smoking and secondhand smoke exposure to breast cancer. For years this has been debated as to whether there is a direct link, but through an evidence and research review Canadian researchers have concluded that exposure can lead to a risk of breast cancer. More research is still needed to determine what exactly is the nature of the relationship between the two.

Thanks to this report it is clear yet again that all workplaces in Indianapolis should be smoke free to help prevent long term health problems in employees. Marion County residents should also quit smoking to reduce future health care costs.

Landsharks Smoke Free Thursdays

Landsharks bar in Broad Ripple will be smoke free on Thursdays starting in May. Word on the street this change is due to the overwhelming success that the totally smoke free Brothers is having just down the street. Hopefully this change will lead to Landsharks to go completely smoke free and then for the whole city to follow suit. Many studies and other cities have proven that smoke free air laws do not harm business and are good for public health.

Franklin To Go Smoke Free?

The city of Franklin is considering strengthening their current smoke free air ordinance to cover bars and private clubs. Their current ordinance was passed in 2006 and is very very similar to the Indianapolis ordinance. At tonight's council meeting a proposal will be introduced to remove these two exemptions. A public hearing on the proposal is scheduled for May 4th.

So if Franklin can take in initiative to introduce something stronger, isn't it about time that Indianapolis, the state's capital, does it too? The cities of Ft. Wayne, Zionsville, Bloomington, West Lafayette, Greencastle, Plainfield and Hancock County are all entirely smoke free. Lets have Indianapolis join the crowd on this one by also going completely smoke free.

Smoke Free Indy Media Campaign

On April 1st we launched our media campaign around secondhand smoke in the workplace. You can hear the ads on many Indianapolis radio stations including WIBC, WTTS, WEDJ and others. To hear our ad visit our website. We hope to use these ads and other media as a way to educate Indianapolis about the importance of everyone being able to breathe smoke free air, no matter where they work. We hope you like them.

Today is the day to quit

Today the price of cigarettes and other tobacco products will increase by 61.66 cents. What better motivation do you need to quit smoking than cigarettes costing $5 a pack?

You can call the FREE Indiana Tobacco Quitline at 1-800-Quit-Now (784-8669) for free telephone counseling and two weeks of free patch or gum. Or you can visit the our website for a list of local resources: http://www.smokefreeindy.com/services/cessation/resources/.

Also today the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on whether or not to give the FDA the authority to regulate tobacco products. Currently tobacco is the only completely unregulated product that is a known killer; every year tobacco kills 400,000 Americans. Visit the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids website to learn more.