The editor:
“We believe that the conclusions of public health officials concerning environmental tobacco smoke are sufficient to warrant measures that regulate cigarette smoking in public places.”
Who said that? Was it the surgeon general? Some militant anti-tobacco group? No, the above quote came from the Phillip Morris tobacco company website. It is surprising to me, that 10 years after the cigarette makers stopped defending secondhand smoke, misinformed people still believe their old propaganda.
For many years, doctors have known that secondhand smoke is linked to higher rates of lung cancer, respiratory infections, ear infections, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. In response to these known health effects of second hand smoke, the city of Morehead wisely banned indoor smoking in August 2006. On Jan. 2, 2009, the CDC reported a new study from Pueblo, Colorado showing that rates of heart attacks dropped 41% after the city implemented an indoor smoking ban. The dangers of secondhand smoke are even worse than we imagined.
Now hospitals are going further. St. Claire Regional Medical Center and other facilities in the state have decided to ban tobacco products on their grounds. This is not about protecting nonsmokers from outdoor smoke. It is about sending a consistent message to our community that hospitals are devoted to protecting your health, not just taking your money when you’re sick.
Doctors do not expect people to live forever. But being a doctor means you do not want anyone to die unnecessarily, especially from a horrific disease such as lung cancer. Kentuckians have the highest rates the smoking in the nation, and we are paying a heavy price for our addiction, with the nation’s highest lung cancer rates, and shortest life expectancy.
With the highest rates of youth smoking in the nation, Kentucky is preparing another generation to repeat the mistakes of their fathers. This is not a time for complacency but rather a time for action. The actions of St. Claire Regional Medical Center and other healthcare facilities in banning cigarettes from their property are long overdue, and are an important step in changing the way we view cigarette smoking.
Anthony D. Weaver, M.D.
Morehead
Letters to the Editor
Smoking ban at hospital appropriate
- Letters to the Editor
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Elliott County outreach changes
On Wednesday, Feb. 1, the Elliott County Christian Community Center became an incorporated service organization. Christian Social Services congratulates the leaders in Elliott County for their enthusiasm, compassion and dedication to the people of Elliott County.
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Bring better movies to Morehead
Don’t you love a good movie? We certainly do BUT for me that does not include “R” rated films. Of the seven movies advertised in the 1/20/12 issue of the News, five were rated “R.”
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Abortion advocate change of mind
As the new year begins, it is quite common to see printed in a newspaper or magazine a list of the names of prominent citizens who passed away in the preceding year. I recently came across such a list, and the name of one individual in particular caught my attention: Dr. Bernard Nathanson.
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Large sign is unsightly
While driving to Morehead today, I was dismayed to see that Cracker Barrel has erected one of their typical ultra-high “signs on a stick.” I somehow thought that Morehead’s sign ordinance would protect our community from this unsightliness and that the sign would be the same height as those of surrounding businesses.
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Political cartoon was off the mark
I don’t know how the political cartoons you publish are chosen, but I take exception to the one in the Dec. 27, 2011 issue of the paper. The cartoonist obviously does not agree with Time magazine’s choice of The Protester as Person of the Year.
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Business owners say thanks
We would like to take this opportunity to thank The Morehead News and Noelle Hunter for the lovely article about the loss of our small business, Clay Makin’s.
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Contest helps learn about energy use
As the New Year approaches, many of us are thinking of ways to save money. One way to do that is to reduce your energy usage. This will save you money and save resources.
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Thanks for supporting speech team
The Rowan County Middle School Speech Team members and coaches would like to extend a heartfelt “THANK YOU” to Mr. Tom James, Kentucky Bank Branch Manager and father of 8th Grade speech team member Haley James and all the staff of Kentucky Bank for their recent generous and most appreciated financial gift to the speech team.
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Thanks for Haldeman Christmas program
The Haldeman Community Center board members would like to say “Thank You” to all who attended and supported our Christmas Program. We all enjoyed the play “The True Gift,” the man in the red suit and all the wonderful snacks.
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Storybook Christmas appreciates support
On behalf of the Storybook Christmas Committee, I would like to thank the community for generous support of our project again this year. Storybook Christmas is an annual project of the Adult Basic Education and Literacy (ABEL) Council and the MSU Adult Learning Center.
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Elliott County outreach changes
