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The time is long overdue for Indiana to become free of tobacco smoke in all public areas and workplaces. It is no longer a matter of opinion whether smoking is harmful, not just to the smoker but to those around her or him. Smoking tobacco shortens lives through cancer and cardiovascular disease. It is wrong to argue that one person has a right to smoke in another’s presence at the expense of the other person’s health.
Indiana has the second-highest rate of smoking in the nation. This is the wrong way for our state to be a leader. The entire state of Indiana – not just Indianapolis, Gary, Fort Wayne or Evansville – needs to become smoke-free. The health of the citizens needs to be protected and not endangered by special interests.
Smoking kills Democrats and Republicans alike and without prejudice. Bipartisan action by our legislators can and should take the necessary step to improve the health of the people of our state by enacting appropriate laws prohibiting smoking in public places, including bars and restaurants and all workplaces.
Indiana is far behind the times on this and other health concerns. Our state is the antithesis of progressiveness. We have not infrequently been lumped together with other well-known laggard states on matters of health.
Other, healthier states, including New York and California, have enacted anti-smoking legislation to help protect their citizenry. I challenge the Indiana General Assembly to enact legislation to make Indiana smoke-free and Gov. Mitch Daniels to sign it.
DR. EVAN L. LEHMAN Indianapolis
