Smoke Free in Indianapolis

Indy Star Column: Smoking Prevention takes big new hit in budget

2009-07-15T10:23:00.002-04:00

Thanks to Matthew Tully of the Indianapolis Star for another great column:

Smoking prevention takes big hit in new budget

By definition, bottom-line budget decisions are usually regrettable. That's because they're often made with short-term goals in mind, regardless of long-term consequences.

Gov. Mitch Daniels and Indiana lawmakers made one such decision in the closing days of this year's legislative session: They took a whack out of the state's well-respected but perpetually underfunded anti-smoking program. The decision to slash spending on the Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation program was not surprising; plenty of other programs took hits this year. But the size of the cut -- roughly 33 percent -- stunned many working hard to reduce the state's smoking rate.

"It's a drop in the bucket compared to the rest of the state budget," Aaron Doeppers, Midwest director for the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, said of the $5.35 million cut. "But it's a huge amount of money for tobacco prevention.

"I don't understand it."

How could he?

The state in recent years has actually taken a number of steps suggesting it was finally getting serious about anti-smoking efforts. The governor pushed through a major cigarette tax increase in 2007, many local communities have adopted no-smoking ordinances, and a new report shows a significant drop in the rate of smoking by Indiana youths.

Meanwhile, Daniels and lawmakers had been in agreement earlier in the year: The anti-smoking program's spending, which comes mainly from the 1998 tobacco settlement, would be cut by about 10 percent -- from $16.2 million to $14.5 million. That cut was big, but still similar to those other programs faced.

"We understood," Doeppers said. "You have to take your lumps and say, 'We're willing to go along with this just like everybody else.' "

As lawmakers moved into a special session, though, the anti-smoking program took a uniquely large hit -- down to $10.85 million. While that is the same amount the state spent on anti-smoking programs in 2007, it is a drop from the past two years and woefully short of the $32 million the program received in its earliest years. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, by the way, recommends Indiana spend more than $30 million on the program.

Facing cuts, the Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation (ITPC) board will gather Thursday to craft a vastly scaled-down spending plan. The impact will be felt by those struggling to give up their cigarettes, and those trying to help them. Spending on the state's successful Tobacco Quitline -- (800) 784-8669 -- will take a bruising. Meanwhile, much-needed grants for local groups throughout the state, many of which finance campaigns aimed at children, will be hit hard.

Karla Sneegas, ITPC's executive director, said the cuts to the Quitline will be particularly painful. With a recent increase in the federal cigarette tax, the line has seen a four-fold increase in the number of calls from wannabe quitters. The hotline will continue, she said, but her group will not be able to advertise it.

Because of that, "there won't be nearly as many smokers that will find out about it," Sneegas said.

State Health Commissioner Dr. Judy Monroe, who has been a strong supporter of efforts to reduce smoking, hopes recent steps taken by the federal government will blunt the impact of the state spending cuts.

Let's hope she's right.

But why take a chance on losing momentum? With more and more smokers trying to quit because of tax increases, and in the wake of news that youth smoking rates are improving, this would be a perfect time to beef up anti-smoking programs.

Regrettably, Indiana is heading in the opposite direction.

New Surgeon General of the United States

2009-07-13T13:04:00.001-04:00

Alabama Physician Chosen as Surgeon General

By Gardiner Harris

Bill Starling/The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, via Associated Press Dr. Regina Benjamin

President Barack Obama has selected Dr. Regina Benjamin, an Alabama family physician, as the U.S. surgeon general, two administration officials said on Monday.

Mr. Obama will announce his selection officially at a Rose Garden ceremony at 11:40 a.m.

An African-American, Dr. Benjamin is nationally known for establishing a rural health clinic in Bayou La Batre, Ala. — a small shrimping village along the Gulf Coast. Hurricana Katrina destroyed the clinic in 2005, and then when it was rebuilt, the clinic burned down on the eve of re-opening.

In 2002, she became the president of the Alabama Medical Association, making her the first African-American woman to be president of a state medical society in the United States. In September, she was one of 25 recipients of the $500,000 “genius awards,” awarded by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

She completed her residency in family medicine at the Medical Center of Central Georgia. She is a graduate of Xavier University, Morehouse School of Medicine and the University of Alabama School of Medicine.

The titular head of the U.S. Public Health Service, the surgeon general is a largely ceremonial post used by numerous administrations to communicate important health messages to the public. The office itself has only a handful of staff and must rely for research and support on the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

But the uniform of the surgeon general invests its wearer with credibility in the public’s eyes and has often led the wearer to distance themselves from the political priorities of the administration.

Save The Date: Baseball, Burgers and Business Cards

2009-07-08T13:57:00.003-04:00

Are you a young professional in Indianapolis? Then come check out Young Professionals Unite '09, a night of baseball, burgers and business cards. An awesome opportunity to network other community minded young pro's in Indianapolis. Get your tickets now as there are a limited amount! Oh yeah, Victory Field is smoke free!

Details:

Where: Victory Field

Date: August 6th, 2009

Time: Unlimited networking, food and beer from 5:30-7:00pm. Game starts at 7pm.

Ticket Includes: Unlimited food and beer (until 7pm), networking event, door prizes, ticket to game. First 200 tickets going for $20-after that $25

Click Here to order your tickets!

Please submit all questions to young.pros.unite@gmail.com

Again, space is limited and all tickets must be purchased by July 17th.

Indianapolis Business Journal: Clean Air Strategy

2009-07-02T08:45:00.002-04:00

Check out the story below that ran in the Indianapolis Business Journal regarding establishments going "smoke free" on their own.

http://www.ibj.com/html/detail_page_Full.asp?content=40466

In order for a place to be smoke free, it needs to be smoke free 100% of the time. Not just during lunch, or before 10pm.

Another Event!

2009-06-23T14:06:00.004-04:00

Are you a bartender? Own a bar? Manage a bar or nightclub? Or a smoke free advocate? If so, you need to come to this forum on the economic impact of smoke free bars. One of the most well respected researchers in the field will be speaking along with a guest panel of experts as well. All are welcome. E-mail info@smokefreeindy.com with questions.

Sorry fot the Hiatus-2 New Awesome Events Coming Up!

2009-06-23T13:51:00.004-04:00

Hi Everyone. Sorry for the long delay. We lost our main blogger to maternity leave, so I'll try and keep up as well as she did. Anyways. See the picture for details on this awesome event we have coming up. Hope you can make it!

Questions? info@smokefreeindy.com

Tobacco Marketing in Indianapolis

2009-05-27T08:52:00.003-04:00

Maybe you have seen the new RJ Reynolds Products Camel Orbs, Camel Strips and soon to be Camel Sticks sold at your local gas station or convenience store. These new products are being marketed here in Indianapolis, Portland Ore., and in Columbus OH. These products are small, colorful and come in flavors such as Mellow (original) and Mint. They are also similar in shape and size to candy and breath strips already being sold on the market.

The issue with these products is that no one knows what is actually contained within each product, how much nicotine is really present and that their packaging appeals to youth. The Indiana Poison Control Center estimates that dissolvable tobacco products contain half to three times much nicotine as cigarettes.

The good news is that within the FDA regulation bill currently making its way through the US Senate these products would be regulated for content, advertising practices and legality.

Please take time to educate yourself and the young people in your life about these products; they are not candy and they are harmful to ones health.

Elkhart Smoke Free

2009-05-15T08:25:00.002-04:00

Today the city of Elkhart will go completely smoke free! A year ago the city went smoke free everywhere but bars, today the bars are smoke free too. This marks a significant change for a city that has recently faced such tough economic times, they will now be able to experience reduced health care costs and a healthier place to live thanks to this new measure. So if Elkhart a city that is facing harder times than Indy can do it, I am sure that we can do it as well.

In other news the state legislature in Wisconsin passed a comprehensive smoke free policy that is expected to be signed by the Governor. Wisconsin now joins the other Mid-West states of Illinois, Ohio and Minnesota with compressive smoke free policies. Maybe next year Indiana can join this list too.

Public Opinion Poll

2009-05-13T07:58:00.002-04:00

Yesterday the Survey Research Center at IUPUI released results of a recent public opinion poll of Marion County residents on their support for a comprehensive smoke free ordinance in Marion County.

Here are the highlights from the report:

The survey found that 69.5 percent of Marion County residents support an ordinance prohibiting smoking in all workplaces, including bars, bowling alleys and restaurants.
87 percent of Marion County residents believe people who work indoors should do so in a smoke free environment, with 67.7 percent of smokers agreeing as well.
The data furthermore shows deep bipartisan public support for a comprehensive smoke free law among those who identify as Republicans, Democrats or Independents.
Finally, the survey data reports Marion County residents indicated that they would go out more if bars, bowling alleys and restaurants were smoke free, with respondents reporting a net gain of 23.9 percent.

To read the full report go to our website, there you can also read the executive summary and the charts that were used at yesterday's press conference.

As you can clearly see Indianapolis residents want a comprehensive smoke free policy for ALL workers in Marion County. With the many other Indiana cities already smoke free and with all the data showing both positive health and economic impacts of these ordinances there is no longer an excuse to not pass a comprehensive law in Indy. Contact your Councillor in support of passing a comprehensive smoke free air policy to make this happen.

Recent Articles

2009-05-12T08:05:00.003-04:00

There have been several smoke free related articles recently in the news:

IBJ article on cities taking it upon themselves to go smoke free after the state failed to pass a statewide smoke free policy "Anti-Smoking Advocates Working One City at a Time."

The city of Westfield last night introduced an ordinance to make their entire city smoke free, a public hearing on the measure will be June 8th, "Westfield considers wide smoking ban." If Westfield does pass an ordinance it would be yet another city leaving Indianapolis behind in going smoke free.

FDA regulation of the tobacco industry has made it out of the U.S. House and is now being considered in the the U.S. Senate, today's Star has a good synopsis of the bill, "Tobacco industry may answer to FDA soon, Senate expected to follow House in approving federal regulation."

Lastly, Bruce Hetrick wrote an excellent article in this week's IBJ comparing the impact of the swine flu to the impact of tobacco on our nation, be sure to check it out, "NOTIONS: Whole-hog health scare: A deadly double standard."

Smoke Free Indy Press Conference

2009-05-11T14:43:00.002-04:00

MEDIA ADVISORY

WHAT:
News conference to release public opinion poll showing the level of support for a comprehensive smoke free workplace law in Marion County that covers all workplaces, including bars and bowling alleys. The poll was conducted by the Survey Research Center at IUPUI, and the research was led by Survey Research Center director Jim Wolf.

WHEN:
10:30am, Tuesday, May 12th, 2009

WHERE:
Indianapolis City Market, 222 E. Market Street, Indianapolis, IN [Across from the City-County Building]

WHO:
Speakers include:
Jim Wolf, Director of the Survey Research Center at IUPUI
A representative of the American Cancer Society, Great Lakes Division
A musician who works in bars and clubs in Indianapolis
A representative of Smoke Free Indy

For more information visit www.smokefreeindy.com or email info@smokefreeindy.com.

Matt Tully Article

2009-05-08T08:05:00.002-04:00

In today's Indianapolis Star there is a great article by Matthew Tully on the City of Franklin going completely smoke free. Tully does an excellent job of pointing out the fact that Franklin is being a leader and that they are now leaving Indianapolis behind by going smoke free.

Thanks Tully for reading our minds, we are continually being left behind by other Indiana cities and counties (Bloomington, Greenfield, West Lafayette, Ft. Wayne, Plainfield, Zionsville and Hancock County, not to mention the 340 other cities in the nation that are also smoke free.)

Now if only the City-County Council could also read our minds and get a comprehensive policy in Indianapolis passed!

Casino Workers Face Toxic Conditions!

2009-05-06T11:53:00.002-04:00

When you read the title of this post, you may think "Well Duh." but sometimes it takes a scientific study by the government to prove what we already know. Below are portions of a news release sent out by the Americans For Nonsmokers Rights on this new study.

'A new report from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) shows workers in Las Vegas casinos are exposed to dangerous levels of secondhand smoke at work. NIOSH recommends making casinos 100% smokefree to ensure indoor air within casinos is safe for workers to breathe.

In 2005, blackjack dealers working in three Las Vegas casinos stepped forward and filed a NIOSH workplace Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) request asking NIOSH to investigate secondhand tobacco smoke in their workplaces. NIOSH responded with a research team that conducted indoor air quality tests and biomarker assessments on 124 card dealers in Bally's, Caesars Palace, and Paris casinos on the Las Vegas strip.

Researchers found secondhand smoke components in the air including nicotine, 4-vinyl pyridine, solanesol, benzene, toluene, p-dichlorormethane, and formaldehyde. In addition, urinary testing of workers after their shifts indicated cancer causing toxins in secondhand smoke were absorbed into workers’ bodies. The NIOSH report authors concluded that the “best means of eliminating workplace exposure to [secondhand smoke] is to ban all smoking in the casinos.”

Teresa Price, a casino worker who filed the original complaint with NIOSH in 2005, was relieved the report was finally released. “We knew we were being exposed to dangerous levels of secondhand smoke, so we filed the request with NIOSH. We just didn’t know how worried we should be. Now we know and I’m horrified,” said Ms. Price. “We were working day in and day out, breathing in toxins all day and night without knowing the extent of the danger. No one should have to work like that,” added Price.

Ms. Price is not alone. The results from the NIOSH report are sending a shockwave through the casino industry, with workers growing more concerned about their health. The NIOSH Report findings are posted for workers to review in the three casinos where tests were conducted.'

So in light of this new study it is of course obvious that all Indiana and Indianapolis workers should be protected from the harmful chemicals in secondhand smoke by going completely smoke free. Please contact your City-County Councillor or State Legislator to make this happen.

Franklin Goes Smoke Free!

2009-05-05T11:09:00.002-04:00

Members of the City Council in Franklin, Indiana voted 6 to 1 tonight to expand Franklin’s smoke free workplace law to cover all workplaces, including bars and membership clubs. Franklin previously had an ordinance that protected some workers in their workplace, but did not protect others, depending on the type of workplace.

Now every worker in Franklin—even those who work in bars and clubs—will enjoy the same protection from the serious negative health consequences attributable to secondhand smoke.

By enacting the ordinance adopted tonight, Franklin joins the growing number of municipalities in Indiana and nationwide to adopt comprehensive smoke free workplace ordinances that protect workers, including those who work in bars, clubs and restaurants, among other workplaces. The new expanded ordinance is scheduled to take effect in 30 days.

It is now time for Indianapolis to join Franklin, Plainfield, Zionsville, Ft. Wayne, Bloomington and West Lafayette by also going completely smoke free. Contact your City-County Councillor to tell them that all workers should be protected from secondhand smoke and that now is the time to join these other Indiana cities and towns.

Secondhand Smoke Linked To Breast Cancer

2009-04-28T09:11:00.002-04:00

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

2009-04-21T15:10:00.003-04:00

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?

2009-04-13T08:48:00.002-04:00

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

2009-04-09T16:11:00.003-04:00

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

2009-04-01T08:58:00.003-04:00

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.

Monroe County Bans Smoking in Cars

2009-03-30T13:33:00.002-04:00

Last Friday (3/27), the Monroe County Commissioners banned smoking in cars with kids younger than 14 years old. If someone is caught smoking with a child they will face a $100 fine. This ban only covers the unincorporated areas of the county, or 39% of the county's population. The county health board does plan on working with the incorporated areas of the county to pass similar laws.

This law will be enforced in correlation to another violation and not on its own. So if you are in Monroe and are speeding and smoking with a child you will get two fines, but you would not get pulled over just for smoking.

Monroe County now joins many other municipalities and states that have banned smoking in cars including California, Maine, Virginia and North Dakota along with others.

Fix It OR Kill It

2009-03-26T09:08:00.003-04:00

'Fix it or Kill it' is now the mantra for HB 1213 from many statewide organizations working on passing a smoke free air law in Indiana. The current version of HB 1213 has exemptions for casinos, bars, private clubs, nursing homes, and in home businesses. These exemptions do not protect all workers from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke on the job. The bill is currently waiting to be heard in the Senate Commerce, Public Policy and Interstate Cooperation committee. Recent news reports have had Senators Alting and Dillon talking about not even allowing the bill to be heard due to the lack of support for its current version. Having the bill not be heard is not a bad thing, it would prevent a weaker version from being passed and then taking years for Indiana to finally pass a comprehensive law.

So there is still time to contact your Senator or a member of the Commerce committee with the message fix HB 1213 back to its compressive smoke free version in which all businesses are covered or kill it and we will try to get something passed next year.

Kick Butts Day

2009-03-25T13:55:00.002-04:00

Today is Kick Butts Day, a national day of activism that empowers youth to speak up and take action against Big Tobacco. Tonight at 6:00 p.m. at the United Artists movie theater at Circle Center Mall, 49 W. Maryland St., local Voice youth will be holding a demonstration to protest smoking in G, PG and PG-13 movies. To learn more about smoking in movies visit Smoke Free Movies.

Also as a part of the Kick Butts Day celebration the VOICE movement is planning two
other events: on March 27th, youth ages 13 to 18 are invited to attend a March Madness Lockin
from 10p.m. to 7a.m. at Snapperz & Sports of all Sorts, located at 6002 Sunnyside Road,
Indianapolis. On March 28th, kids who bring a tobacco advertisement or wear VOICE gear
will get in FREE at the Kick Butts Day Skateland Celebration, which will take place from 2p.m. to
6p.m., at the Skateland Roller Skating Center, located at 3902 Glen Arm Rd, Indianapolis.

Today also marks the first day for Hancock County to be completely smoke free. So take a moment to drive across the line to visit one their now smoke free bars, bowling alleys or private clubs!

IU Center for Health Policy's Secondhand Smoke Policy Brief

2009-03-24T13:17:00.003-04:00

Today the IU Center for Health Policy released a policy brief "Smokefree Workplace Laws Save Lives and Money Without Hurting Business" highlighting the impact smoke free air laws have on the state of Indiana and across the nation.
Through a review of many scientific reports and studies the Center was able to determine that:

Smokefree workplace laws do not have a negative economic impact on restaurants and bars.
While secondhand smoke has been definitively linked to many kinds of health problems, the most significant health consequence related to secondhand smoke is death.
Servers, bartenders, dealers and other workers in restaurants, bars and casinos may regularly be exposed to high levels of secondhand smoke.
Smokefree workplace laws do not hurt casino business.
Smokefree workplaces save employers money.
Secondhand smoke exposure costs Indiana money.
Hoosiers support smokefree workplaces.

Eric Wright, PhD, Director of Indiana University’s Center for Health Policy and Associate Dean of IU’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs, will join leaders of Smoke Free Indy for a media availability tonight at 5:30pm to discuss this policy brief which shows comprehensive smokefree workplace laws do not result in negative economic impact to the hospitality industry.

WHAT: Media Availability…
Dr. Eric Wright, Director, IU Center for Health Policy
Associate Dean, IU School of Public and Environmental Affairs

Smoke Free Indy Leaders and Spokespeople

WHERE: Knall Room, Marion County Central Library
40 E. St. Clair St., Indianapolis, IN 46204

WHEN: Tuesday, March 24th, 2009 at 5:30p.m.

Bruce Hetrick Article

2009-03-23T09:01:00.002-04:00

In this week's Indianapolis Business Journal, Bruce Hetrick writes a great article on the new Indiana Live Casino. Hetrick visited the casino recently and found that he could only stay for twenty minutes before leaving due to the intense smoke filled air. If he could only stay for twenty minutes, imagine what it would be like to work there 40 hours a week? Many individuals who work in a casino love what they do, and with this economy are grateful to have a good paying job, but imagine doing that year after year in the haze of smoke, it would probably stop being so great after awhile. His article points to the reason why everywhere should be smoke free, because of the people who work there and because secondhand smoke is harmful to everyones health.

Saint Patrick's Day

2009-03-16T09:00:00.003-04:00

Last Saturday, March 14th, Smoke Free Indy sponsored the Shamrock Run and Walk in downtown Indianapolis. The event was a great success with thousands of Indianapolis walkers and runners participating in the event. It was also a great opportunity for us to talk to Indianapolis citizens about the importance of smoke free workplaces.

Tomorrow, March 17th, we will be participating in the St. Patrick's Day Parade. Look for us to be parade unit number 38. The parade kicks off at 11:30 at Pennsylvania and North Streets. If you work downtown or find yourself downtown come out to the parade to get your Smoke Free Indy green beads!