It's Not a Ban!!
Words are important, and the right word can make a difference.
There has been much debate and news coverage on the public health topic of protecting the health of all Hoosiers from the dangers of secondhand smoke. When authoring a comprehensive bill to establish a smoke-free indoor air policy in Indiana that protects all Hoosiers, one must look at certain restrictions and guidelines related to public safety. What’s wrong with that?
There are policies that mandate the water temperature used to wash dishes in restaurants, but no one says the government is banning the practice of cleaning dishes in cool water. It’s a policy, not a ban. If anyone washes dishes with cool water at home, it is their prerogative, but if those dishes will be used in public, it’s unsafe; therefore the health department sets certain restrictions and guidelines. It’s not a ban, it’s a policy. There is a difference; it’s not simply semantics.
Webster defines the two words as follows:
Policy: A basic principle or guidelines, formulated and enforced by a governing body to direct and limit actions in pursuit of long-term goals.
Ban: To prohibit, especially by legal means; also, to prohibit the use, performance or distribution.
Protecting Hoosiers from the dangers of secondhand smoke is a public health issue that does not ban smoking. Smokers have the legal right to smoke; however, when smoking imposes a threat to public health, elected officials must take responsibility to protect its citizens. Smokers do not have the right to smoke anywhere, just as someone using hazardous chemicals does not have the right to use them anywhere or anytime they feel like. Secondhand smoke is airborne, thus posing a public health threat, just as hazardous chemicals. There are specific cleaning fluids that are not banned; however, there are policies in place to restrict how and when they may be used to protect the general public. It’s not a ban, it’s a policy.
For 10 years, Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation (ITPC) has been working to protect Hoosiers from the dangers of tobacco, including secondhand smoke. Yet some have misconstrued ITPC’s efforts. Public health officials, civic leaders and voters are asking for smoke-free air policies and not a ban on smoking, nor smokers. They are demanding a smoke-free air policy that sets certain restrictions and guidelines to protect all Hoosiers from the dangers of tobacco smoke. It’s not a ban, it’s a policy.
There are many school teachers and health care providers that smoke, but do they have the right to smoke while they are teaching or caring for children? There are policies in place to protect our children from those dangers. Indiana needs a comprehensive smoke-free air policy and not a smoking ban. It would be great to have elected officials, reporters and the general public to use the appropriate word and to understand the difference.
Follow the Tobacco Free Partnership on Facebook
The Tobacco Free Partnership now has a Facebook page. Like our page to receive news and information about tobacco issues in Tippecanoe County and throughout the nation. Community events for tobacco cessation and awareness will be posted here as well. For those wanting to quit, there is also a Tobacco Cessation Tip and Fact of the week!
Purdue University is now a smoke free campus, except in designated areas
Purdue University's West Lafayette campus is taking another step toward creating a healthier environment by going smoke free except in limited areas beginning July 1, 2010. For more information about the campus-wide policy visit www.purdue.edu/smokefree.
Warning Issued Over Electronic Cigarettes
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on July 22, 2009, announced that a laboratory analysis of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) samples has found that they contain carcinogens and toxic chemicals such as diethylene glycol, an ingredient used in antifreeze. For more information on e-cigarettes, click here.
Smoke Free Lafayette
The City of Lafayette implemented a smoke-free ordinance on September 1st, 2008!! The city's smokefree ordinance includes most city workplaces and indoor public gathering areas.
To view the approved ordinance, click here. A helpful brochure about the ordinance is available here.Smoke Free West Lafayette
West Lafayette has been a smokefree city for over three years!! The city's smokefree ordinance includes most city workplaces, including restaurants and bars. The smokefree ordinance took effect July 1st, 2007!
To view the approved ordinance, click here.About this site
The purpose of the Tobacco Free Partnership of Tippecanoe County is to educate citizens about tobacco use prevention. This website has many resources for doing just that! Whether you're looking for information on how to quit smoking or want to read about the effects of secondhand smoke, this website is for you. You can always contact us directly, we're happy to hear from you!
Grant Application
The Tobacco Free Partnership has grant and sub-contract funding available to educate the citizens of Tippecanoe County regarding tobacco use prevention, intervention and cessation. A copy of the TFP grant application can be obtained here: Grant Application
