Smoking ban needed

 As Chairperson of the Bullitt County Partners In Prevention I would like to say that I am saddened by Judge Burress’ decision to deem the smoking ban as unlawful. It was to my understanding that it was the Health Department’s responsibility to “promote healthy lifestyles in Bullitt County through prevention and protection.” I’m just wondering what sort of message is being sent to our community. If the Health Department is not the “proper” entity to enforce the regulation, then I expect whoever is the “proper” authority will assume the great responsibility of keeping our Bullitt County community safe and protected.

The work has already been done, a solid foundation of hard work and fact findings, which leads me to my next thought.

I would personally like to thank each and every person who took a pro-active stance in working to keep us, the people of Bullitt County, safe from the harmful effects of second hand smoke. Over the last years your dedication and courage is to be commended.

Partners In Prevention will continue to support and stand firm beside the Health Department. This set back is only a catalyst for what is to come. In a word that makes no sense to me anyway, this unfortunate decision fits right in! The community is urged to continue steadfast in this endeavor. Let us “move” this community in the direction of safety and health and out of harm’s way. Let it not be an issue of politics but rather an issue of you and your family’s rights to breathe clean air.

I have faith that the right actions will be taken by the appropriate legislative powers in the near future. I feel very positive that the question is not, “Will there be a smoking ban?” but rather, “WHEN will there be a smoking ban?” The public health should be a high priority and should not be taken lightly.

Thrissie Dohn

Partners in Prevention Coalition Chair