KNA Campaign to Defeat Harmful Cigar Bar Exemption to Metro Louisville’s Smoke-Free Ordinance - Take Action Today!

July 21, 2021 – KNA Campaign to Defeat Harmful Cigar Bar Exemption to Metro Louisville’s Smoke-Free Ordinance - Take Action Today!

We need members of the River City Chapter to be advocates for this important health cause.  Contacts with Louisville Metro Council members from constituents to urge them to VOTE NO on this exemption must be made before the Council votes on Thursday, July 29!

It is a simple and quick Email campaign. 

First, find who your Louisville Metro Council Member is:

Go to:   Louisville Metro Council Districts (lojic.org)  and enter your home address.

The name of your Metro Council Member will come up in a box to the left.  In the box, click on Email and their name.  An email form will come up for you to send a short email to your Metro Council member.

Then, send an email to your Metro Council member using the form.

Subject Line:  I am a constituent.  Please “Vote NO” on the Cigar Bar Exemption

Identify yourself as a constituent (include your home address in the email), a nurse, a member of KNA and of the River City Chapter!

Ask:  As a healthcare provider (educator, administrator, advocate) I am asking you to “VOTE NO” on the Cigar Bar Exemption to the Smoke-Free Ordinance to preserve the improved health outcomes from the current smoke-free ordinance. 

Other points that can be included in the email:

• The current comprehensive smoke-free ordinance (LMCO #90) has been in place since January, 2008 and is well-accepted by residents, visitors and workers in Metro Louisville. Since passage, we have seen reductions in new cancer cases, cancer deaths and smoking prevalence. 
• Research shows that a completely comprehensive law like LMCO #90 – has the greatest impact in reducing heart attacks, lung cancer and hospitalizations for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), thereby saving lives and healthcare dollars.

A smoke-free policy is strongest when it is comprehensive.

• Any exemption to the smoke-free ordinance would be a significant step backwards in maintaining Louisville Metro’s public health, but the proposed exemption for cigar bars would be especially harmful.
• Cigar smoke has higher levels of cancer-causing substances and toxins and

more tar than cigarettes. When lit, cigars release fine particles that can cause heart and lung disease. They also take longer to smoke, resulting in longer exposure to these toxins. Thus, the harmful effects would not just be on the smokers themselves, but on the workers and non-smoking patrons of the cigar bars as well.

To protect the health and safety of the residents, visitors and workers of Metro Louisville, I urge you to “VOTE NO” on July 29th to defeat the proposed cigar bar exemption from LMCO #90.