Smoke-Free and Me: Why Sedalia, MO?

Secondhand smoke is a major problem for communities across the nation, including Sedalia. As of 2007, 26.56% of Pettis County residents smoked themselves and 31.86% of Pettis County residents currently lived with someone who smoked. In addition to these numbers, many non-smokers and non-smoking families are exposed to the smoking of others whenever dining in local restaurants. All in all, the majority of Sedalia and Pettis County residents are regularly exposed to the dangers of smoking. This is a fact that must change.

           States and cities across this country are going smoke-free for a number of great reasons. First, there is an overwhelming amount of scientific evidence that indicates secondhand smoke is a direct cause in many cases of lung cancer, heart disease, and lung and bronchial infections. There is also evidence that smoking bans help reduce these health incidents. According to studies done by the Institute of Medicine and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, smoke-free laws reduce the number of heart attacks and help to save lives.

Secondhand smoke is even more dangerous for children. According to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, “children exposed to secondhand smoke are at an increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), acute respiratory infections, ear problems, and more severe asthma. Smoking by parents causes respiratory symptoms and slows lung growth in their children”. Secondhand smoke can also irritate lungs and induce asthma attacks, putting our community’s children at risk each time a family dines in a smoke-filled restaurant. Based on all these reasons, the growing number of smoke-free states and cities should come as no surprise.

             As of January of 2010, more than 60% of the US population (more than 190 million people) lives in areas that have passed strong smoke-free laws covering restaurants and bars. Twenty-eight states have enacted statewide smoking bans in all enclosed public spaces, including our neighboring states of Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska. Other states are facing the issue city by city. In Missouri alone, the following cities have already gone smoke-free in all bars and restaurants: Ballwin, Belton, Brentwood, Chillicothe, Columbia, Independence, Kansas City, Kirksville, Kirkwood, Lee’s Summit, Liberty, Maryville, Nixa, St. Louis, and Warrensburg. Let’s add Sedalia’s name to this growing and exciting list.

As of 2007, 61.66% of Pettis County residents would support a smoke-free restaurant law. We must work to raise this support even higher by encouraging the efforts of Clean Air Sedalia. Our coalition would love your help to make the movement for clean air in Sedalia grow and grow. Our community deserves a spot on the list of smoke-free cities across the nation and a spot in history for helping create a healthier future for our families.

References:

Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights. “Ordinance Lists” Retrieved on November 10, 2010 from http://www.no-smoke.org/goingsmokefree.php?id=519

Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. “Health Harms from Secondhand Smoke”. Retrieved on November 10, 2010 from http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/research/factsheets/pdf/0103.pdf

Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. “Smokefree States and Cities in the United States”. Retrieved November 10, 2010 from www.tobaccofreekids.org/research/factsheets/pdf/0332.pdf

State of Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. “Secondhand Smoke for Missouri Adults: Pettis-Morgan County”. Retrieved on November 10, 2010 from http://www.dhss.mo.gov/CLS_Compare/header.php?cnty=929&profile_type=2&chkBox=C

Wikipedia. “Smoking Bans in Missouri”. Retrieved on November 10, 2010 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_smoking_bans_in_the_United_States#.C2.A0Missouri