Dear City Council Member,

As a business owner, we respectfully urge you to vote YES on the smoke-free ordinance protecting all employees and patrons from exposure to secondhand smoke and e-cig aerosol inside workplaces and indoor public places.

Secondhand smoke is the third leading cause of preventable death in the United States. The U.S. Surgeon General concludes that secondhand smoke causes lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke in adults as well as sudden infant death syndrome, low birth weight, and asthma in children. Approximately 41,000 deaths are attributable to secondhand smoke exposure in the U.S. annually. Secondhand smoke from e-cigarettes contains fine and ultrafine particles, heavy metals, and hundreds of toxic and cancer-causing chemicals. Kentucky spends $1.92 billion every year on health care costs from tobacco smoke exposure and residents pay $874 per household in taxes to cover these expenditures.

With over 56 local smoke-free ordinances in Kentucky, the evidence is clear that smoke-free is a win for health and business. Kentucky communities with comprehensive smoke-free ordinances have fewer hospitalizations for COPD, heart attacks and asthma, as well as fewer new cases of lung cancer. Youth are less likely to smoke in communities with comprehensive smoke-free laws with no exemptions as social norms change. Studies from across the country show that smoke-free policies do not have a negative impact on business revenues, and J.D. Power and Associates report that 87% of tourists prefer smoke-free hospitality environments. Smoke-free workplace policies are a simple and cost-effective way to improve employee and business health.

We appreciate your leadership in protecting residents, their children, employees, and guests from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke and e-cig aerosol in indoor public places and workplaces.