No Complaints Burning Over Statewide Smoking Ban

Posted on Author WKVI

The state-wide smoking ban has been in effect for 11 days now and there have been no complaints issued to the Starke County Health Department or the Pulaski County Health Department. The county health departments are responsible for enforcement of the smoking law for all businesses, while the State Excise Police enforces businesses that sell alcohol and tobacco.

Starke County Health Nurse Frank Lynch said he’s been to a few businesses to check on their smoke-free status and he has received a few phone calls with questions concerning the law. For those businesses that have not received a business kit, there are kits available in Lynch’s office.

Terri Hansen from the Pulaski County Health Department says that her department has gotten a few calls, but she feels the two informational meetings held in June prior to the law change helped inform business owners and residents. If you have questions, you can view the smoking ban information on the state’s website at www.in.gov.

New Law Assists Low-Income Families In Home Energy Costs

Posted on Author WKVI

The cost of home energy will be a bit more affordable for low-income families, thanks to House Enrolled Act 1141 – one of 161 new laws approved this year by the Indiana General Assembly. The new law dedicates nearly $30 million in mortgage foreclosure settlement funds in an effort to assist families who rely on assistance from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance program to pay for high heating or air-conditioning bills. The program is a federal program offering financial assistance to low-income households who qualify and need support to pay home energy bills.

The program is funded from $145 million that the state received from the multi-state legal settlement concerning issues in mortgage foreclosures, and is administered through local community action agencies.

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Statewide Smoking Ban Effective Tomorrow

Posted on Author WKVI

The statewide smoking ban takes effect tomorrow.

House Enrolled Act 1149 bans smoking from restaurants, hotels and motels, movie theaters, bowling alleys, healthcare facilities, nursing homes, mental health facilities, assisted living facilities, and most other workplaces. The law also prohibits smoking within eight feet of a public entrance of any of those facilities.

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Business Toolkits Now Available to Assist With Smoke-Free Air Law

Posted on Author WKVI

With the new Indiana Smoke Free Air Law taking effect July 1, Indiana will join 49 other states in protecting workers and patrons from secondhand smoke in the workplace. In an effort to help businesses implement the new law, the Tobacco and Cessation Commission at the Indiana State Department of Health has developed free “Breathe Easy Indiana” toolkits – a great resource, says State Health Commissioner Greg Larkin, to help businesses prepare for the law.

The toolkit includes an employee training guide, business checklist, smoke-free window clings, coasters, posters, and table tents, as well as a quick reference brochure providing basic information regarding the law. Businesses covered by the new law must post signs stating, “Smoking is prohibited within eight feet of this entrance,” or similar language, and must be visible at each public entrance.

To order such a toolkit, or to learn more about the law, visit www.breatheindiana.com.

Countywide Town Hall Meeting Will Explain New Smoking Ban

Posted on Author WKVI

With the new statewide smoking ban taking effect July 1, many people are confused about what the law covers and where smoking is prohibited or allowed. To alleviate this confusion, a countywide town hall meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, June 21 at 6 p.m. at the Bass Lake Community Center.

The meeting will provide important information concerning the new law and how it affects businesses and organizations, as well as information on what the law covers, who to contact with questions and complaints, and who enforces the law.

One of the most frequently asked questions is where smoking is prohibited under the new law. According to a release from the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission, smoking is prohibited in and within eight feet of most public places and places of employment. Smoking is also prohibited in state-owned vehicles and school buses under certain circumstances.

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Statewide Smoking Ban Takes Effect July 1

Posted on Author WKVI

The first statewide smoke-free air law takes effect July 1.

Drug and Tobacco Free Starke County and the Tobacco Free Coalition will be holding an Indiana Smoke Free Law Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, June 21 at 6 p.m. at the Bass Lake Community Center, where information will be provided concerning the new law and how it affects businesses and organizations. Information will be given on what the law covers, who to contact with questions and complaints, and who enforces the law.

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Legislators Pass Weakened Smoking Bill

Posted on Author WKVI

“It’s better than nothing.” That’s how authors of a smoking ban bill described their feelings after the measure passed the legislature this year. Even though it was passed, the measure was so watered down at the end that legislators were hard pressed to think of a place that will be affected. 17th District Democrat Representative Nancy Dembowski talks about the bill.

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Legislators Considering Smoking Ban

Posted on Author WKVI

Legislators are considering a smoking ban in this session of the legislature that would prohibit smoking in public places, enclosed areas of a place of employment, in certain state vehicles and within 12 feet of a public entrance to a public place or an enclosed area of a place of employment. The bill allows smoking iqos heets uae cigarettes in certain gaming facilities, cigar bars, and retail tobacco stores if certain requirements are met.

Yet tobacco is legally sold in virtually every country in the world and, after decades of understanding its harm, it remains not only legal but highly accessible and profitable (to everyone but the consumer) in US.

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