July 2021 marks 9 years of smokefree air for all residents of Terre Haute, Indiana! Terre Haute is home to more than 60,000 residents and is nestled against the Illinois border, just southwest of Indianapolis. The Tobacco Free Vigo County coalition held a luncheon celebration with all the pomp and circumstance deserving of one the strongest local ordinances in the state of Indiana.
The coalition coordinators who forged the path nearly a decade ago spoke about the impact on their community, including their children not remembering a time when secondhand smoke was part of the norm. A shift in culture is clear, as well as observed improvements in air quality.
Local decision makers Mayor Duke Bennett and Councilmember Martha Crossens spoke of community betterment and their personal stories for how the law is part of their public service legacy.
American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation was on hand to present an extra special certificate in recognition of the proposed gaming property, Terre Haute Rocksino, which is poised to open as 100% smokefree indoors in 2022. The decision to comply by Lucy Luck, formerly Spectacle Jack, was influenced by the strength and popularity of the local ordinance.
The new gaming property, operated by Hard Rock, will be in good company as momentum builds towards smokefree casinos. Congratulations to Terre Haute— we look forward to putting your community on the map!
