Thursday, August 4, 2011
Tobacco Free Kids Action Fund Endorses Melina Kennedy for Mayor
The Tobacco Free Kids Action Fund released a statement today endorsing Melina Kennedy for Mayor of Indianapolis. The Campaign sites her support for smokefree air as the reason for their endorsement. Go here for complete information about this endorsement: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tobacco-free-kids-action-fund-endorses-melina-kennedy-for-indianapolis-mayor-126765373.html
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Lawsuit in Muncie
I guess the individuals in Muncie suing over the impending smokefree air law did not get the memo that this type of law is already in place in over half the country including Fort Wayne, Bloomington and West Lafayette. There is no constitutional 'right' to smoke. Going smokefree is not ground breaking and these lawsuits get thrown out of court. Instead of waisting their money on legal action they should be happy with all the money they will be saving from reduced cleaning and health care costs.
http://www.thestarpress.com/article/20110728/NEWS01/107280333/Smoking-ban-going-court?odyssey=tabtopnewstextFrontpage%20DontMiss
http://www.thestarpress.com/article/20110728/NEWS01/107280333/Smoking-ban-going-court?odyssey=tabtopnewstextFrontpage%20DontMiss
Friday, July 22, 2011
Summer Updates
After a brief summer hiatus we are back and blogging about smoking and smokefree air in Indiana and Indianapolis. Here is a brief list of important developments and articles that we missed while we were away.
The FDA released new warning labels on cigarette packaging, the new labels will appear in 2012. The labels show the real impact of tobacco use with images of cancer and deceased individuals. It is still to be determined whether or not these labels will motivate a long time smoker to quit, but they will deter young people from starting to smoke.
The American Cancer Society - Cancer Action Network just released a report that determined Indiana would save $74.5 million in lung cancer, heart attack and stroke costs and 27,300 fewer youth would start smoking if the state went totally smokefree. This report fuels the need to pass a strong smokefree air law in Indiana.
Making Indiana and Indianapolis smokefree continues to be a key issue in both local and state politics. In local politics, we know that mayoral candidate Melina Kennedy supports making Indianapolis smokefree, but Mayor Greg Ballard does not. It also appears that many of the Democratic council candidates support making the city smokefree. We hope that the Republican candidates will also support making the city smokefree for the health of all workers. Clearly making Indy smokefree is an important step towards making the city a greener and more progressive city
Lastly, the Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Agency is now a part of the Indiana State Department of Health and is called the Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Commission. The new Commission is still able to give out funding to local organizations to do tobacco control and prevention, which is good news for all Hoosiers.
The FDA released new warning labels on cigarette packaging, the new labels will appear in 2012. The labels show the real impact of tobacco use with images of cancer and deceased individuals. It is still to be determined whether or not these labels will motivate a long time smoker to quit, but they will deter young people from starting to smoke.
The American Cancer Society - Cancer Action Network just released a report that determined Indiana would save $74.5 million in lung cancer, heart attack and stroke costs and 27,300 fewer youth would start smoking if the state went totally smokefree. This report fuels the need to pass a strong smokefree air law in Indiana.
Making Indiana and Indianapolis smokefree continues to be a key issue in both local and state politics. In local politics, we know that mayoral candidate Melina Kennedy supports making Indianapolis smokefree, but Mayor Greg Ballard does not. It also appears that many of the Democratic council candidates support making the city smokefree. We hope that the Republican candidates will also support making the city smokefree for the health of all workers. Clearly making Indy smokefree is an important step towards making the city a greener and more progressive city
Lastly, the Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Agency is now a part of the Indiana State Department of Health and is called the Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Commission. The new Commission is still able to give out funding to local organizations to do tobacco control and prevention, which is good news for all Hoosiers.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Statewide smokefree air law could save IN $74million
A new study releases by the American Cancer Society (ACS) this week estimates that Indiana could save $74million in reduced health care costs associated with smoking-related diseases. The study, "Saving Lives, Saving Money: A State-By-State Report on the Health and Economic Benefits of Comprehensive Smoke-Free Laws" focused on the 27 states without current comprehensive smoke-free air laws and provides expanded estimates for "public health benefits and economic savings." The study also concludes that in addition to saving money in Indiana, a comprehensive statewide smoke-free air law could also result in 65,300 fewer adult smokers and keep 27,300 youths from picking up the habit.
ACS also released a study that examined the public health and economic benefits of increasing cigarette taxes by $1 in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The study estimated that if Indiana were to do this smoking-related deaths would decrease by 41,400 in five years. In addition to this the state would bring in an additional $280 million in tax revenue.
Check out the great article and op-ed in the Indy Star on these reports.
http://www.indystar.com/article/20110616/LIVING01/106160394/1001/7daysarchives/Report-Smoking-ban-could-save-state-millions
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011106170316
ACS also released a study that examined the public health and economic benefits of increasing cigarette taxes by $1 in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The study estimated that if Indiana were to do this smoking-related deaths would decrease by 41,400 in five years. In addition to this the state would bring in an additional $280 million in tax revenue.
Check out the great article and op-ed in the Indy Star on these reports.
http://www.indystar.com/article/20110616/LIVING01/106160394/1001/7daysarchives/Report-Smoking-ban-could-save-state-millions
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011106170316
Friday, May 20, 2011
Indiana Legislature drops ball on tobacco control in 2011
Tobacco control in Indiana took some pretty big hits in this year's legislative session. First was the failure to pass a comprehensive smoke free air law to protect all workers. Indiana is one of only 13 states without a statewide smok free air laws. Three out of our four closes neighbors have comprehensive laws and this is leading many to consider our state the "ashtray of the Midwest." The other major blow to tobacco control came in the form of the dismantling of Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation(ITPC). ITPC has been recognized as one of the country's top tobacco control programs and has had many great successes over the last decade. ITPC will close its doors in June of this year and its responsiblities and budget will be moved to the Indiana State Department of Health. Despite things not going our way we want to give a big thanks to all of our supporters for all of your help this year. Hopefully in the next year Indy and Indiana will catch up with the times and protect all workers from the dangers of second hand smoke.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
Posts
