Published: November 11, 2009 10:54 pm      

Group wants smoking ban changes

Proposed policy would have no exemption for taverns

The Indiana Public Health Association wants the smoking ban in Kokomo strengthened and extended to all of Howard County.

Michelle Lindley with the Indiana Public Health Association and Shirley DuBois with Smoke Free Kokomo asked members of the Howard County Board of Health Monday to support the effort.

Kokomo banned smoking in public buildings in 2006, but the ordinance — approved by the Kokomo Common Council — included exemptions for taverns and restaurants that cater to those over the age of 21.

Lindley said three studies published since 2006 by the Surgeon General, Institute of Medicine and the World Health Organization outlined the dangers of second-hand smoke.

According to the Surgeon General’s report, 30 percent of U.S. workers are not covered by a smoke-free policy, she said. Lindley said children are 10 times more likely to have health problems as a result of second-hand smoke.

Lindley said the Institute of Medicine is advocating a complete ban on smoking in all non-residential locations, including work places, malls, restaurants and bars.

She said in Monroe County, which includes Bloomington, which has a total ban on smoking in public settings, there has been a 59 percent decrease in hospital admissions for heart attacks in non-smokers.

Lindley said nationally 70.3 percent of workers are covered by smoking bans, while in Indiana the number is 30.4 percent.

Kokomo needs to strengthen the current ban with a comprehensive ordinance, she said.

“First Kokomo and then the entire county,” Lindley said, “it will improve the health of the non-smoking community.”

There are three keys, which include adopting a model ordinance, developing clear definitions of what a public place is and creating a smoke-free environment, she said.

Lindley said smoking would be permitted in private residences, hotel rooms and nursing home rooms.

“You have to start with a model ordinance,” she explained. “Don’t use one from a neighboring county that has built-in exemptions.”

Dave Sedam, a member of the Health Board, said a comprehensive ordinance would be great but has to be across-the-board to create a level playing field.

Sedam said the Ibn Saud Grotto stopped allowing smoking for six months when the smoking ban took effect, but it lost 35 percent of the revenues from bingo games.

“A smoking ban has to be across-the-board,” he said. “If I didn’t allow smoking, I wouldn’t have been able to keep the doors open.”

Legislation considered by the Indiana General Assembly to pass a statewide smoking ban failed during the 2009 session.

Lindley said another statewide effort wouldn’t take place until 2012.

“We’re working on local ordinances,” she said. “The intent is to strengthen the local ordinances to make them comprehensive.”

• Ken de la Bastide is the Kokomo Tribune enterprise editor. He can be reached at 765-454-8580 or via e-mail at ken.delabastide@kokomotribune.com.