Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids: Lexington Radio Station Abandons Public Interest to Promote Tobacco's Interests

3/24/2003

From: Tony Iallonardo of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, 202-296-5469, http://www.tobaccofreekids.org

WASHINGTON, March 24, -- Following is a statement of Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Executive Vice President William V. Corr on a local radio station's approach to a Lexington smoking ordinance:

Lexington, Kentucky, radio station WKQQ has chosen an irresponsible approach to debate the merits of the smoke-free ordinance currently under consideration by the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council. Their publicity campaign risks encouraging kids to smoke and makes light of the scientifically proven harm caused by secondhand smoke. The ordinance under consideration protects the public's right to breathe clean air by making all workplaces - including restaurants and bars - smoke-free. Silly publicity stunts do not change the fact that secondhand smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals and is a proven cause of cancer, heart disease and other serious diseases. The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council should not be distracted and should act quickly to protect public health by passing the proposed ordinance.

WKQQ and its management have been heavily promoting a "Kiss Our Ash Bash" on-air and on their web site. The event, which is in essence a rally to "say no to the smoking ban," is scheduled for this evening. The web site promoting the event features the station's mascot with a cigarette hastily stuck in its mouth floating above a tobacco company banner advertisement urging visitors to complete a smoking survey for a chance to win a prize and receive further cigarette product marketing materials. The ad does not reveal which tobacco company is the sponsor. Secondhand smoke is a proven killer that prematurely kills about 1,000 Kentuckians a year and Kentuckians should reject such self-promotion that comes at the expense of public health.

There is an overwhelming scientific consensus that exposure to secondhand smoke causes disease, disability and death. Secondhand smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals and 69 known carcinogens including formaldehyde, cyanide, arsenic, carbon monoxide, methane, benzene and radioactive polonium 210. A recent study by the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization concluded, "Nonsmokers are exposed to the same carcinogens as active smokers. The study found that even the typical levels of passive exposure have been shown to cause lung cancer" among people who have never smoked. In addition to lung cancer, secondhand smoke is proven to cause heart disease, emphysema and other illnesses and is responsible nationally for thousands of deaths each year. Studies show that kids are especially vulnerable to other people's smoke, suffering more respiratory problems, ear infections and asthma.

The main argument against smoke-free laws - that they will harm business - has been disproved in other states and communities that have enacted comprehensive smoke-free workplace policies. Despite the tobacco industry's false claims, the facts show that smoke-free laws do not harm and can even improve business. One comprehensive study of restaurant sales tax data from 81 localities in six states found consistently that ordinances restricting smoking in restaurants had no effect on revenues. In addition, such laws, where enacted, reduce health care costs attributable to treating illnesses caused by secondhand smoke. A 1994 federal study showed, for example, that a ban on smoking in public places would save $72 billion, reduce insurance costs and increase job productivity

The evidence of the dangers of secondhand smoke has prompted a growing number of states and communities across the United States to protect their citizens' right to breathe clean air, including Delaware, Dallas, New York City and Boston. Demonstrating the strong public support for such measures, 71 percent of Florida voters in November approved a comprehensive smoke-free law governing restaurants and most indoor workplaces. We urge Lexington's leaders to protect the public's right to breathe clean, smoke-free air. The evidence is clear that such policies improve health and save lives.