City smoking ordinance takes effect Saturday

Friday, August 31, 2007

Beginning Saturday, Sept. 1, smoking will be prohibited in public places, in the city of Greencastle, except for private clubs.

Officials with the Putnam County Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Coalition, supporters of the ban, are seeking to provide the following reminder to the public concerning the ordinance:

"These smoke free air laws are designed to protect the public health and welfare of the community from health hazards induced by breathing secondhand smoke," the coalition said in a press release. "The health hazards include lung cancer, heart disease and respiratory infections."

In order for each business to be in compliance with this new law, a conspicuous sign must be posted at the entrance to the business by Sept. 1.

Putnam County Tobacco Prevention and Cessation will provide any business with this signage at no cost. Signage may be picked up at the Office the Mayor, the Greater Greencastle Chamber of Commerce or through Putnam County Tobacco Prevention and Cessation by calling 655-2697 or e-mailing pctobacco@gmail.com.

Additional information about the ordinance may also be picked up with signage.

According to the coalition, secondhand smoke kills more than 50,000 Americans every year by causing lung cancer, emphysema, heart disease and asthma in otherwise healthy non-smokers. Parents who quit smoking before their children are 8 or 9 years old not only protect them from the effects of secondhand smoke, but also decrease the odds that their children will become smokers by 25 percent.

If both parents quit, the odds decrease to 40 percent. Tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of death and disease in the United States, according to the coalition.

They say smoking alone is responsible for more than 420,000 premature deaths in the U.S. annually.

For more information about Putnam County Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Coalition visit www.Voice.tv, call the organization at 655-2697, or e-mail them at: pctobacco@gmail.com.

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  • we have joined now with the numerous other cities throughout Indiana in our DICTATORS decideing what we can or cannot do with our businesses. got to love a system that lets our government rule us like this. Suppose all smokers give in to this and quit. thn where do we get the extra tax money to cover non insured, Oh wait I forget, my property tax just increased by 278% in this county.

    -- Posted by fireman4274 on Fri, Aug 31, 2007, at 1:06 AM
  • We are moving to Greencastle from Florida the first part of 2008. Does the new ordinance include the public parks? We here in Florida "banned" smoking in restaurants, bars that don't serve very much food, bowling alleys, etc. 2 years ago. It's been very controversial. We still allow smoking in parks and on the beaches, however. Just wondering about Greencastle law. Thanks.

    -- Posted by JDub on Fri, Aug 31, 2007, at 1:45 PM
  • Just make sure that you remember this come November. We have a chance to get rid of the smoke-nazi puppets on the city council. Pass the word to as many people as you can! No more nanny-state government!!

    -- Posted by Conservative Republican on Sat, Sep 1, 2007, at 12:52 AM
  • We as citizens of this fine town and country have what I like to refer to as the 'Right to VOTE.' Since all of our government officials are ELECTED they cannot be called DICTATORS. Call it Democracy, sometimes good, sometimes bad-in this case good. Our City Council is acting on behalf of the community they are trying to protect. If you want to see Nazi, move out of the country or stop sounding IGNORANT! Lets focus on real issues here like the BILLIONS we spend everyday on an illegitimate war. Fighting for oil not terrorism! Property taxes...I don't have enough room. Adults exposing kids to smoke in this era with all we know...SAD! I hope and look forward to a nicer, cleaner Greencastle in years to come. Hopefully everyone realizes this is for the better of the community.

    -- Posted by concernedcitizen2 on Sun, Sep 2, 2007, at 6:25 PM
  • First of all, let me say that I am a smoker. I've always tried to be courteous to my non-smoking peers. I didn't get all upset about restaurants going smoke-free. I understand with venues like hotels, parks and restaurants. But to take smoking out of bars in this town is a big mistake. I went out to a couple of the local bars on Sept. 1st. There were more people outside the bar smoking than there were people inside drinking! And now the non-smokers will have to walk through a cloud of smoke to get inside the bars anyway! These bar owners ARE GOING TO LOSE BUSINESS! I won't be going back to the local bars as long as there is a smoking ban on them. I mean I'd rather sit on my porch at home with a beer in one hand and cigarette in the other, than to have to go in the bar for a drink and back outside for a smoke. It isn't as if there are children in the local bars, and if an adult non-smoker doesn't like a smoky place, they do have the choice to leave that place. Greencastle has just "unofficially" shut down the local bar scene of our little podunk town. Congratulations Greencastle City Council, you've sure done it this time!

    -- Posted by hnphillips on Mon, Sep 3, 2007, at 3:04 PM
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