Kentucky currently has no state-wide smoke-free law to protect citizens from secondhand smoke exposure in public places. In many cities and counties, people still smoke in restaurants, bars and workplaces. And with the third highest rate of smoking in the nation, that’s a lot of dirty air.

The health effects of secondhand smoke are indisputable. In children, exposure increases asthma attacks, contributes to sudden infant death syndrome and leads to respiratory infections. In adults, it can cause heart attacks, heart disease and lung cancers. With over 250 toxic chemicals, 50 of which cause cancer, secondhand smoke isn’t just a nuisance, it’s an environmental  health hazard.

But recently, legislators in Kentucky made the right move by introducing a state-wide smoke-free bill, H.B. 193, that would prohibit smoking in all public places and places of employment. Not only would this save the state money – smoking costs Kentucky billions every year – but it would also lives.

However, some legislators have already declared that they will oppose the ban, feeling that it’s not quite time for a state-wide ban. But when will be the time? Already, Kentucky has one of the highest rates of workplaces secondhand smoke exposure and it leads the country in smoking-related deaths.

The time to make an environment where workers and children aren’t exposed to toxic air is now.

Sign the petition below to urge Kentucky’s state legislature to pass H.B. 193, a true bill of health.