Letter to the Editor

Smoke-free poll results weren't 'conclusive'

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

To the Editor:

Tucked away without any fanfare in the Mr. Pruett's column one day last week were the stats from an online poll conducted by the Greene County Daily World that posed the question: Should Greene County adopt a smoke free policy? 48% of the 830 voters supported a smoke free policy; 52% did not.

It is important to note that these statistics represent 2 percent of Greene County's population -- not really conclusive in terms of assessing where citizens stand on this topic.

I read with interest the comments that were printed. Some who opposed a policy made reference, among other things, to personal rights and Bloomington's policies.

Given the overwhelming evidence regarding the dangers of secondhand smoke, the issue is not a personal rights issue, it is a health issue. Businesses have a responsibility to create a healthy environment for both employees and patrons. Second-hand smoke is the third leading cause of preventable death in the United States (smoking is the No. 1 cause of preventable death). Smoking kills more people that alcohol, AIDS, car crashes, illegal drugs, murders, and suicides combined. Second-hand smoke, which contains over 4,800 chemicals of which 69 are known to cause cancer, has been classified by the Environmental Protection Agency as a known cause of cancer in humans (a group A carcinogen). Tobacco's impact on economics is also huge. In Indiana, annual health care costs directly caused by smoking, according to Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, totals $2.08 billion. The portion covered by state Medicaid is $487 million. And, smoking-caused productivity losses totals $2.49 billion.

Greene County Tobacco Prevention and Cessation (GCTPC), a partner with Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation, is working to improve the health of Greene County citizens and reduce disease and the economic burden imposed by tobacco use on our citizens through education, policy, prevention and cessation programs. We have worked with county schools and businesses to adopt and implement voluntary comprehensive clean air (tobacco free) policies. In an ideal world there would be 100 percent voluntary compliance. But, because we do not live in an ideal world, policies are necessary. A comprehensive policy, written with care after much thought and research , would protect the health of the vast majority of Greene County citizens who do not smoke. (According to the latest Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation statistics, this encompasses 75 percent of the county's population).

GCTPC challenges you to become proactive rather than reactive regarding tobacco, secondhand smoke, health, and policy change. For information on how you can become actively involved call Nancy at 384-8769.

Nancy Cummings

Greene County Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Coalition

Coordinator

Bloomfield