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Smoke-Free Indiana Wins Super Support

As key vote approaches, public desire for smoke-free law is broad and deep

Posted by: Editor | Jan 24, 2012

Indiana voters overwhelmingly support a proposed law to make all workplaces smoke-free, with a broad coalition of Republicans, Democrats and Independents agreeing that employees and customers alike have a right to breathe clean air.

By a stunning margin of 70 to 27 percent, Indiana voters support a law that would prohibit smoking in indoor workplaces and public places, including restaurants and bars. Fully 73 percent of Republicans and Independents, as well as 66 percent of Democrats, support the legislation.  Sponsored by Rep. Eric Turner, (R-Cicero), the measure is set for a vote in the Indiana House later this week.

With Super Bowl XLVI coming to Indianapolis on Feb. 5, advocates hope that Indiana’s moment in the national spotlight will provide added impetus for Hoosiers to join the growing ranks of those protecting citizens and visitors from deadly secondhand smoke. Both Super Bowl teams, the New England Patriots and the New York Giants, hail from smoke-free states, underscoring the strong momentum — and public expectation — for smoke-free air.

In the poll, 71 percent of respondents said they believe the right of employees and customers to breathe clean air in restaurants and bars is more important than the right of smokers to smoke and business owners to allow smoking.

Governor Mitch Daniels has called for the strongest possible law with the fewest possible exemptions.

“Voters know that secondhand smoke is a health hazard, and this poll shows that they want a strong law protecting their right to breathe clean air,” said Danielle Patterson, co-chair of the Indiana Campaign for Smokefree Air. “The Legislature should listen to the people of Indiana and Governor Daniels and act quickly to make all workplaces smoke-free.”