By Brenna Angel
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Commonwealth of Kentucky has been recognized for its efforts to pass smoking bans in public places. Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights awarded Kentucky third place for 2009 behind South Carolina and Texas. Last year Campbellsville, London, Prestonsburg, and Radcliff passed smoke-free ordinances.
"I think that Kentucky is doing a great job and that the only way to do something better is to keep continuing to pass these local laws, and local builds the momentum for a statewide law," said Cynthia Hallett, Executive Director for ANR. "I would envision that within the next couple of legislative sessions, you will have enough public support and political understanding for why you need a 100-percent smoke-free workplace, restaurant and bar law for the Commonwealth of Kentucky."
Hallett spoke in Lexington Tuesday at the Rural Smoke-Free Communities Project Leadership Exchange Conference. This year Bardstown and Glasgow have passed local smoking bans.