Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund Endorses Representative Westrom for Protecting Kentucky's Children and Families

Veteran State Legislator leading fight to pass smoke-free law

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Calling her a "fighter for children and families who is working to protect all Kentuckians from the dangers of secondhand smoke," the Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund endorses Representative Susan Westrom for re-election.

"Susan Westrom has worked tirelessly for 14 years to protect Kentucky's children and families and champion common-sense health policies.  Her leadership on a statewide smoke-free law is the latest example of that commitment," said Amy Barkley, Regional Advocacy Director of the Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund.

"Representative Westrom's smoke-free legislation will protect everyone's right to breathe clean air and ensure that workers no longer have to choose between their health and a paycheck. It will protect Kentucky's families from the serious dangers of secondhand smoke when they go out to a restaurant or other public places.  We are proud to endorse her for re-election," Barkley said.

Representative Westrom is leading a bipartisan effort to pass a statewide smoke-free workplace law. If successful, Kentucky will become the 24^th to eliminate secondhand smoke exposure in all indoor workplaces.

A majority of Kentucky voters from all parties and more than 250 health and business interests support Representative Westrom's legislation.  The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce has joined in advocating for a statewide smoke-free workplace law because it will lower health care costs and improve Kentucky's business climate.   

"Representative Westrom always stands up for Kentucky's workers, children and families.  Now it's time for Kentucky voters who want to breathe clean, smoke-free air to support her.  We need true leaders like Representative Westrom in Frankfort to continue working across the aisle to make all workplaces and public places in Kentucky smoke-free," said Barkley.    

Because of its weak policies to reduce tobacco use, Kentucky has one of the nation's highest adult and youth smoking rates, with 24.8 percent of adults and 24.1 percent of high school students smoking.  Tobacco use kills 7,800 Kentucky residents and costs the state $1.5 billion in health care bills each year.

The Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund is a non-partisan 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization separate from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The Action Fund works to reduce the devastating toll of tobacco use and secondhand smoke by mounting advocacy and electoral campaigns in support of smoke-free laws and other policies that reduce tobacco use.

Paid for by the Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund, 1400 I Street NW, Suite 1200, Washington, DC 20005.

SOURCE Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund