Kokomo Tribune; Kokomo, Indiana

Breaking News

Local News

March 19, 2010

Tobacco coalition wants to expand ban

Howard County ranks 46th in state for the number of adult smokers

The number of adult smokers in Howard County is below the state average, according to recently released county health rankings done as part of a study by the University of Wisconsin.

The Howard County Tobacco Coalition said the report provides a great opportunity for the county to closely examine the role smoking plays in the health of the community.

The coalition wants to expand the current Kokomo ban to include all businesses and to extend it to the remainder of the county.

“We need to take more concrete steps to implement stronger smoking policies that will lower the county’s smoking rate in cities and towns,” the coalition said in a press release.

According to the study, Washington County has the highest percentage of adult smokers at an estimated 43 percent. As a whole, Howard County has an average of 23 percent adult smokers. The estimated average for Indiana is 26 percent.

The city of Kokomo several years ago approved an ordinance prohibiting smoking in public places with an exception for taverns.

Of the surrounding counties, Miami County had the highest percentage of adults that smoked at an estimated rate of 33 percent. A group in Miami County sought implementation of a smoking ban on a countywide basis but the measure was never voted on by the county commissioners.

A measure to ban smoking in all public places in Indiana failed to pass the 2010 session of the Indiana General Assembly.

The coalition wants to expand the Kokomo smoking ban to encompass all of Howard County.

“The Howard County Tobacco Coalition is committed to strengthen the local smoking ordinance to a county comprehensive smoke-free plan,” said Shirley Dubois, coordinator for the coalition.

She said the coalition is pushing to amend the current Kokomo ordinance to include all workplaces.

“We want every workplace to be smoke free to protect workers from second-hand smoke,” Dubois said. “We would like the county to pass a comprehensive smoking ban.”

Efforts to expand the smoking ban in Howard County were stalled by the effort to pass a statewide ban, she said. Dubois said Illinois, Michigan and Ohio all have comprehensive bans that prohibit smoking in all workplaces.

Dubois said 38 Indiana cities have smoking bans, but only 11 prohibit smoking in all workplaces.

Tipton County had the lowest estimated adult smokers in the region at 12 percent, which was the lowest in the state for the 81 Indiana counties (of 92) that statistical data was available for.

“The good news is that in Indiana and here in our community, we already have in place a wealth of resources to drive down smoking rates,” Dubois.

She said there are smoking cessation classes offered at Howard Regional Health System and St. Joseph Hospital or by calling 1-800-Quit-Now to register for help to stop smoking.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Local News
  • St. Matthew Church Kokomo church struggles to pay cleanup debt

    Pastor Dwight Hobson says he can’t understand why the state of Indiana is insisting on taking the money out of his collection plate.

    After all, Hobson says, he is saving the state money by counseling teenagers on Kokomo’s near east side, keeping them away from gangs, drugs and teen pregnancy.

    July 28, 2010 1 Photo

  • GM not changing anything for now

    General Motors leaders on Wednesday addressed the company’s business operations and competition to its workers in Kokomo, GM said.

    GM spokesman Kevin Nadrowski said company leaders spoke to their Kokomo employees during a routine update meeting. The company told the workers it is "assessing its business model," he said, but he would not further comment on the discussion.

    “We’re not making any announcements, and there are no immediate changes to
    operation,” he said.

    July 29, 2010

  • County council OKs funds for event center repairs

    The Howard County Council on Tuesday night approved funding for repairs to the Kokomo Event Center’s roof, which should cost about a third as much as previously estimated.

    July 28, 2010

  • ‘Delphi isn’t closing anything’

    Delphi Automotive Systems LLC says it will not close any of its operations in Kokomo.

    Company spokeswoman Linda Ferries has responded to reports posted this afternoon on Inside INdiana Business’ website. She said the reported information is incorrect. The Indianapolis-based news agency quoted United Auto Workers Region 3 Director Maurice Davison as saying Delphi will phase out its Kokomo operations in 2012.

    July 28, 2010

  • Nude drawings prompt arrest

    Two drawings that police say depict a naked underage girl have allegedy landed a Sharpsville man behind bars on two counts of felony possession of child pornography.

    July 28, 2010

  • Korean vets Korean War veterans honored in Armistice Day event

    A handful of Korean veterans stood at attention Tuesday to honor the brave soldiers who didn’t make it home after the three-year war in Southeast Asia.

    July 27, 2010 1 Photo

  • Center Road closed for U.S. 31 work

    Center Road is now closed between 150 East and 350 East, due to construction work on the U.S. 31 Kokomo Corridor bypass.

    July 27, 2010

  • Councilman brings up business prospect at meeting

    Kokomo Common Councilman Bob Cameron took more than a few people by surprise Monday when he asked area economic development director Jeb Conrad to come to the microphone.

    July 27, 2010

  • Standoff ends in suicide

    A Tipton County man allegedly fired a shotgun at a neighboring house late Monday before committing suicide, Howard County Sheriff Marty Talbert reported.

    July 27, 2010

  • Apt cut power Duke Energy cuts power to apartments

    Duke Energy Corp. says it had to cut power Tuesday to a Kokomo apartment building that dates back to the Great Depression because of “serious safety hazards.”

    July 27, 2010 1 Photo

Featured Ads
Facebook
Kokomo Tribune on Facebook
More kokomotribune.com
KT Twitter Updates
Follow me on Twitter
Hyperlocal Search
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Popular Searches
Powered by Local.com
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
AP Video
Parade
Magazine

Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.