South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg’s State of the City Address, March 13, 2018, cited the city’s smokefree air ordinance as a public health benefit!
Mayor Buttigieg stated, “The good news is that South Bend is already becoming a healthier community. Recently, researchers from the University of Missouri Medical School evaluated the impact of the smoking ban ordinance that went into effect last year. The researchers found a 92% reduction of particulate matter air pollution in bars just five weeks into the ban. Before, full-time bar employees were exposed to 4 times the EPA limit for particulate matter. After the ordinance, levels dropped well below the limit. Since particulate matter increases the risk of heart disease, heart attack, and death, it is no exaggeration to say that this policy is now saving lives in our city.”
Smokefree laws are indeed a huge factor in the health of any city. Our sister organization, Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights, has information on how your organization can adopt a smokefree meetings policy, and financially support cities that have chosen to prioritize smokefree air and the health of employees and patrons!
