Statement on Proposal 18 passing city council

Smoke Free Indy is pleased that Proposal 18 was adopted by the Indianapolis City Council. This moment is long overdue to the workers, citizens and visitors of Indianapolis. We would like to thank the council members, both past and present, who have worked diligently over the years to get us to this point. Proposal 18 isn’t perfect. We will continue to work toward the day when all workers and business customers are protected from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke. However, it goes a long way in strengthening the current ordinance and offering protection to many more workers. We are joyful that the council did not weaken Proposal 18 by allowing an amendment that would allow children to be exposed to secondhand smoke in private clubs. We encourage Mayor Ballard to keep the promise he made in 2007, 2011 and most recently this past November; keep Indy moving forward and sign Proposal 18. History has been made in Indy tonight, while the whole world is watching.

Indianapolis Business Journal Urges Councilors to support Proposal 352

Thank you to the Indianapolis Business Journal for their continued support for making Indy smoke-free. Sorry for the poor quality, click on image for a closer look.

Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association Supports a Smoke Free Indy

The Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association (ICVA) is joining Smoke Free Indy in support of a smoke-free ordinance that includes 100 percent of bars, restaurants and hotel rooms. The ICVA is the official sales and marketing organization for the city, charged with driving tourism and booking conventions.

“Eliminating smoking in Indianapolis’ hospitality industry will benefit the region’s convention and tourism industry,” said Leonard Hoops, president and CEO of the ICVA. “A smoke-free law will not only help us attract new business, but will enhance the visitors’ experience while protecting hospitality workers from secondhand smoke.”

Tourism is big business for Indianapolis, generating more than $3.4 billion in economic impact annually and supporting more than 69,000 jobs.

“Indianapolis is fortunate to attract more than 18 million visitors every year. Whether they come from another state or another country, most of them are protected by smokefree laws where they live and are shocked when they realize Indianapolis still allows smoking inside,” said Lindsay Grace, Chair of Smoke Free Indy. “We want to show our visitors that we’re a world class city that cares about the health of our guests as well as our workers.”

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Smoke Free Indy is a coalition of state and local public health organizations, community based organizations, physicians, businesses, schools, the faith community, and Marion County residents dedicated to reducing secondhand smoke, tobacco usage and tobacco initiation through education, prevention and advocacy. For more information visit: www.smokefreeindy.com.

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Smoke Free Indy is a coalition of state and local public health organizations, community based organizations, physicians, businesses, schools, the faith community, and Marion County residents dedicated to reducing secondhand smoke, tobacco usage and tobacco initiation through education, prevention and advocacy. For more information visit: www.smokefreeindy.com.

Smoke Free Indy Response to Councillor Vaughn’s Recent Proposal

Smoke Free Indy is dedicated to protecting every Indianapolis worker from the dangers of secondhand smoke. Earlier today, Councilor Ryan Vaughn submitted a proposal that would eliminate many, but not all, of the loopholes in Indianapolis’ current Smokefree law. His proposal strengthens the current policy by eliminating exemptions for bars, bowling alleys, hotel/motel rooms, workplaces and nursing homes; and would protect a majority of Indianapolis workers who are currently exposed to the dangers of secondhand smoke in the workplace.

We thank Councillors Angela Mansfield and Benjamin Hunter for their dedication to this issue over the years and are encouraged to see the interested parties coming together to address this critical issue.

We urge all members of the City Council and the Mayor’s Office to work together to pass a strong smoke-free law. Smoke Free Indy will continue to work toward a smoke-free ordinance that protects every worker in Indianapolis.

Media Alert: Smoke Free Indy Launches New Campaign

MEDIA ALERT

Contact:

Lindsay Grace

317.496.1494

Lindsay.grace@lungin.org

On the 36^th annual Great American Smokeout, Smoke Free Indy will build on its dedication to reducing secondhand smoke by unveiling its new public education campaign in conjunction with seeking the support of the City Council and the Mayor’s office to work together to pass a law that will protect all workers from secondhand smoke.

WHEN – Thursday, Nov. 17 at 2 p.m.

WHO – Lindsay Grace, Chairwoman of Smoke Free Indy

Dr. Virginia Caine, Director, Marion County Public Health Department

Mara Hoberty, Indianapolis resident

Benjamin Hunter & Angela Mansfield, Indianapolis City-County Councilors

WHERE – Indianapolis City-County Building, 2^nd Floor

WHY – Strengthening the existing smoke-free law is a priority in order to ensure that all workers in Indianapolis work in smoke-free environments. Bi-partisan support is in place in the City Council to facilitate a change in the near future.

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Smoke Free Indy is a coalition of state and local public health organizations, community based organizations, physicians, businesses, schools, the faith community, and Marion County residents dedicated to reducing secondhand smoke, tobacco usage and tobacco initiation through education, prevention and advocacy. For more information visit: www.smokefreeindy.com.