Smoke-free Kentucky Coalition Travelling to Promote Smoke-free Laws

8/1/2014 – As part of a weeklong tour across the state, the Smoke-Free Kentucky Coalition made a stop at the UK Markey Cancer Center on July 30 to promote better health for Kentuckians through smoke-free policies. The event at Markey was one of several stops across the state as it heads to western Kentucky for the annual Fancy Farm Picnic.

At each stop, the Smoke-Free Coalition is rallying supporters and reaching out to legislators, urging them to join 24 other states in passing a comprehensive, statewide smoke-free law that covers all indoor workplaces and public places, including bars and restaurants.  The goal of the tour is to get all Kentuckians, around the state, active and engaged in supporting smoke-free policy as the campaign gears up for the 2015 legislative session.

Secondhand smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, almost 70 of which are known to cause cancer, and is proven to cause heart disease, lung cancer, respiratory illnesses and even premature death. In fact, studies indicate that secondhand smoke exposure causes about 1,000 deaths a year in Kentucky.

To find out more information about how smoke-free policies are good for health and businesses visit: www.smokefreekentucky.org

Written by Allison Perry, UK Public Relations