Today, the House Health and Welfare committee passed HB 173, which would make indoor workplaces smoke-free. Testimony by the lead co-sponsors of the bill, Representatives Susan Westrom and Julie Raque-Adams, highlighted the importance of this public health issue for everyone in the Commonwealth. Senator Julie Denton, who filed SB 117, a companion bill in the Senate, recalled a training she completed as a dental hygienist on tobacco and its harmful effects on every system in the body.
Chairman Tom Burch of the House Health and Welfare Committee questioned why 75% of Kentuckians should suffer when only 25% of Kentuckians smoke. HB 173 now heads to the full House for a vote. Kentucky Youth Advocates commends Representatives Susan Westrom, Julie Raque Adams, Jesse Crenshaw, Derrick Graham, Jeff Greer, Joni Jenkins, Mary Lou Marzian, Darryl Owens, and David Wakins for co-sponsoring the bill to ensure Kentucky children can breathe clear air.
We need you to take action now to help this important measure to become a reality. Contact your legislators using one of the following methods:
- Click here to find out who your legislators are and to locate their contact information. Deliver the below message to your legislators using your preferred contact method.
- Call the message line at 1-800-372-7181. Ask the person on the phone to look up who your legislators are by your address and ask to leave the below message for them.
Message to your state Representative:
“Please support the passage of HB 173 to help protect children and pregnant moms from the negative health impacts of secondhand smoke.”
Message to your state Senator:
“Please support the passage of SB 117 to help protect children and pregnant moms from the negative health impacts of secondhand smoke.”
