TAKE ACTION: E-mail Mayor Ballard
Recently, Mayor Greg Ballard appeared on WTHR and discussed his personal view of a comprehensive smoke free workplace law that we are striving for. Below are his comments:
(Anne Marie Tiernon) Some want a stricter smoking ban here in Indianapolis. Smoke Free Indy would like to see the ban extended to bars and private clubs. But don’t look for Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard to weigh in on the issue. He said as much as he hates smoke, it is not at the top of his agenda.
(Mayor Ballard) - I’m not sure that would pass the Council so I haven’t really fully developed it, I mean I …anybody who’s been around me quite a bit knows how I personally feel about smoke. It makes me physically sick. So I don’t like being around it, and I tend not to go into place with it at all - with smoke at all. I’m just not sure, frankly, that the city is ready to go there yet.
(Anne Marie Tiernon) Previous efforts to expand the ban here in Indianapolis have failed.
It’s time for the Mayor to know that there is public support from his constituents for this law. Send him this e-mail to let him know that a comprehensive law is the only way to protect all workers:
http://www.indy.gov/eGov/M
Mayor Ballard,
Thank you for your comments on the issue of smoke-free workplaces recently. As a supporter of Smoke Free Indy, I believe strongly that all bars, bowling alleys, private clubs and workplaces in the City of Indianapolis should be smoke free.
The facts show that hundreds of cities around the country have not been put at a financial disadvantage by enacting a smoke-free policy. Other communities that have gone smoke free prove people don’t “drive to smoke”.
Local smoke free policy change is no different than any other public health requirement – like hand washing or hair nets. Our city government has a responsibility to protect the health of our community.
This is a local, public health issue the community wants addressed. It’s time for a smoke-free policy in the City of Indianapolis and most importantly it’s time for the City to be a leader on this important public health issue.
Sincerely,