Tobacco, E-cigs banned from most Ky. state property скачать в хорошем качестве

Tobacco, E-cigs banned from most Ky. state property

COVINGTON, Ky. (Joe Webb) -- Thursday, Nov. 20, is the "Great American Smokeout" and Kentucky is taking it seriously. The commonwealth launched new rules that ban smoking from almost all state property, inside and outside the buildings. Most state buildings have been smoke-free for a long time but the new rules take it a step further. Not only can people not smoke in a state building, they can't smoke outside or on state property even if they're sitting in their own car. It's a serious ban. People can still smoke outside the Sassy Salon in Kentucky. But across the parking lot in the building leased by Kentucky's transportation cabinet, it's no smoking inside and out of the building. Governor Steve Beshear made it clear, "All state buildings, grounds, and vehicles become free of all tobacco products and e-cigarettes." The winds of change blew in at midnight in a state whose history is tied to burley tobacco. No ifs, ands, or butts about it, Kentucky's state property is now smoke free. Not only can people not smoke in a state vehicle, people's own cars are off limits as long as it's on state property. Not everyone is thrilled, "We feel the employer should not be able to tell people they can't do some that's legal during their breaks, during their lunches, and in a designated area. And a designated area should be provided," said Bill Whelan, VP of Kentucky Association of State Employees. The signs started appearing at northern Kentucky's state buildings Nov. 20. Smokers in the building in Florence will have to walk about a city block to fire up their cigarettes. 2,888 state-owned buildings and another 568 leased properties are covered by the new rules. The governor said it was simply the right thing to do and the right time, "Tobacco is the single biggest health factor impacting our citizens. Kentucky ranks at the bottom, 50th, compared to all other state smoking rates." State parks, rest areas, and universities are not covered by the ban although most state schools have their own smoking restrictions. The governor has no authority over judicial buildings and legislative buildings so they're not covered either. The bottom line: if people smoke, smoke at home. People's right to smoke in public is slowly going away and Kentucky's change coincides with the "Great American Smokeout." Every year on the third Thursday in November it's a day set aside to help get smokers motivated to kick the habit, even if it's just for one day. Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the United States. About 42 million Americans still smoke cigarettes