themoreheadnews.com
Public support for statewide smoking ban grows
By RONNIE ELLIS
CNHI News Service
FRANKFORT - Even in a state with a long history of tobacco culture and a high percentage of smokers, public support for a statewide smoking ban is growing. A poll of 1,580 Kentucky adults by the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky found 71 percent of respondents favor the idea, up from 66 percent in the same poll last year and up 17 points since 2011. Opposition dropped from 31 percent to 25 percent in the past year. In a state with a tobacco culture like Kentucky’s always had, it’s fairly remarkable that we’ve bumped up over the 70 percent mark," said Ben Chandler, president of the foundation.There are solid reasons, Chandler said, to celebrate the results. We lead the nation in the percentage of smokers and not coincidentally,
we lead the nation in the number of cancer deaths, Chandler said. We have about 8,900 deaths every year as a direct result of smoking and to put that into perspective, the opioid crisis and drug deaths has never topped the 1,200 range, "he said. And it is more than 10 times as many deaths from car accidents each year in the state. It is costly not only to smokers, according to Chandler and Sen. Julie Raque Adams, a Republican state sen-ator from Louisville who successfully sponsored smoke-free legislation when she was a member of Louisville Metro Council. Chandler said the estimated annual cost to Kentucky’s healthcare system is $1.9 billion. Chandler and the foundation are hoping the poll results will increasepressure on state lawmakers to pass a statewide ban - something the General Assembly, long dominated by rural
Staton named to Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners
Morehead State Uniersity’s Dr. Amy Johnson Staton, assistant professor of veterinary technology, has been appointed to the Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners by Gov. Matt Bevin. Dr. Staton will represent veterinary technicians across the state. She shall serve for a term expiring July 14, 2020. The Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners has eight members, all appointed by the governor. The Board’s mission is to regulate and control the licensing and
conduct of veterinar--ians within the Commonwealth of Kentucky. In addition to being a licensed eterinary technologist, she also holds a doctorate of education, and her research interests include applying interactive virtual simulation to the classroom, and implementing low-stress handling into academia and veterinary facilities. She teaches on courses related to animal husbandry, radiology and surgical nursing.
Dr. Amy Johnson Staton
Dr. Staton has been with MSU since 2008 .In 2016, she was named as one of the top 40 veterinary technology professors in the U.S. by the educational blog Vet Tech Colleges.com.
members and now under complete Re-publican domination, has resisted. Rep. Susan Westrom, D-Lexington,has sponsored such legislation in the House for years, when the House was under Democratic control before Republicans gained control in last falls elections. But it has also been pushedin the Republican-controlled Senate by Adams and Sen. Ralph Alvarado, R-Winchester, who is a practicing physician. Adams is encouraged the poll found 68 percent of Republicans support a ban and she said she is committed to keep sponsoring smoking ban legislation until it passes. Sometimes legislators need to go to Frankfort to represent and I think this is one of those times we should be listening to the polls and listen to the public, Adams said. Besides the health implications, she said, smoking puts pressure on the state budget because of the huge impact on healthcare costs, something which might make legislation to reduce smoking more appealing to conservatives. "It puts huge budgetary pressures onthe state budget, said Adams. Republican Gov. Matt Bevin has previously said he is not opposed to smoking bans but prefers they be enacted at
the local level. (As they typically do, Bevin’s communications staff declined to respond to a request to comment on Bevin’s position on the issue.) While opponents of such measures often cite personal civil liberties of smokers, Adams and Chandler said that argument ignores the rights of non-smokers to breathe clean air. Where is my liberty to breathe cleaindoor air, and where is my liberty when healthcare costs for Kentucky are increasing for smoking-related ill-nesses? Adams asked. Democrats show even more support for a smoking ban in the poll: 76 per-cent support a ban while 72 percent of independents do. Perhaps somewhat surprising, 41 percent of current smokers support such a ban. Adams said that doesn’t entirely surprise her. She frequently hears from constituents who thank her for the Louisville ban because family mem-bers who suffer from smoking-related chronic disease now don’t have to breathe others smoke in public facilities. Chandler said he has spoken with both Adams and Alvarado about a smoking ban but he also said the foun-dation plans to be more active in persuading the public the time for a ban has come.
Walk for Life is April 22
The Hope Pregnancy Care Center will host its 20th Annual Walk for Life on Saturday, April 22. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the walk starts at 9 a.m. at the City Park. Immediately following the walk, Jeanie Stafford and Steve Lewis will be honored by a tree planting in the Memorial Garden. This year there will be drawingsfor various gift cards, and everyonewho raises $125 or more will receive a free T-shirt. The youth group who raises the most money will receive afree pizza party. Refreshments, facepainting and music will be provided.The walk is one of three fundrais-ers for Hope PCC each year. All
funds received go directly to sustain the free services. These services include pregnancy tests, counseling, parenting classes, medical and financial referrals, abstinence classes in the public schools and obstetric ultrasounds. The mission of Hope PCC is to reach out to teens, women and men in difficult situations, to give them accurate information in an environment characterized by the love of Jesus. Because of opening day for Little League, the walk will start on time and be finished by 10:30 a.m. For information call l 784-2488 or email hopepcc167@gmail.com .
Easter Sunday April 16
Clearfield Tabernacle First Church of God Easter Service Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Easter Sunday Service 10:45 a.m. Clearfield Tabernacle First Church of God KY 519, 1 mile south of Morehead , KY (606) 784-4410
The House of Prayer Sunday School Service 10:00 a.m. Easter Sunday Service 11:00 a.m. The Easter Carol No Sunday Evening Service The House of Prayer 60 Whispering Oaks Morehead , Kentucky Sr. Pastor: Winston McClurg Pastor: Joe Cline
Elliottville Baptist Good Friday 7:00p.m. Service Sunday Sun Rise 7:00 a.m . Easter Sunday 11:00p.m. service No Sunday Eve Elliottville Baptist Church the church that cares PO Box 160 Elliottville , KY 40317 606-783-1201
Sharkey Freewill Baptist Sun Rise Service Easter Morning Good Friday Service 12:00 noon Easter Sunday Morning Worship 11:00 a.m. Sharkey Freewill Baptist Church 2555 Sharkey Road Morehead , Kentucky 40351