By just living in the Northern Kentucky region, our children are 18 percent more likely to develop cancer than anywhere else in the country.[1] In fact, the Commonwealth of Kentucky’s cancer mortality rate — 243.7 case per 100,000 people – is much higher than the states that surround it, including West Virginia (227), Indiana (217.8), Ohio (212.9), and Virginia (184).[2]
Considering that 34 percent of cancer occurrences in Kentucky are associated with smoking-related illnesses [1](including secondhand smoke), smoking is a critical factor driving the high rates of cancer in our community.
Northern Kentucky has among the highest rates of smoking in both Greater Cincinnati and the United States.
Worse, we are creating an entire new generation of potential smokers in our region as e-cigarette usage among Northern Kentucky children has spiked to historically high levels.
Smoking is not only adversely affecting our population’s overall health, but it’s also impacting the pocketbook of every single taxpayer in Northern Kentucky. According to a study commissioned by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Kentucky households pay on average $1,158 in federal and state taxes related to cover healthcare costs due to smoking-related illnesses.[7] Some other statistics:
Higher rates of smoking hamper our workforce productivity and make our region less attractive for economic development. Quality of life and the health of the workforce are key factors new companies consider when choosing to relocate or start new operations in a community.
Lost worker productivity due to smoking is estimated to cost Kentucky businesses $2.79 billion annually. [8] Every year, these businesses incur $5,816 per employee in lost productivity due to smoking-related illnesses. [8]
Communities that have enacted comprehensive smoke-free ordinances have experienced lower rates of overall smoking, a reduction in second-hand smoking cancer rates, a decrease in healthcare costs, and a decline in rates of smoking among children.
Several research studies performed in communities that enacted a comprehensive smoke-free ordinance show a dramatic improvement in the overall health and healthcare costs of populations in these communities.
Public smoke-free ordinances also have a positive impact on the health of our children.
As a region, we’re in competition for new economic development with other nearby communities and regions across the United States. Enacting a comprehensive smoke-free ordinance saves local businesses money, improves productivity, and reduces potential legal liability.
[1] CA Cancer J Clin 2019;69:7-34.© 2019 American Cancer Society – Table 12 Incidence Rates for Selected Cancers by State, United States 2011-2015
[2] CA Cancer J Clin 2019;69:7-34.© 2019 American Cancer Society – Table 13 Mortality Rates for Selected Cancers by State, United States 2012-2016
[3] Interact for Health. (2020) Tobacco Use in Northern Kentucky
[4] https://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/trends-statistics/infographics/teens-e-cigarettes
[5] 2018 Kentucky Incentives Prevention Survey
[6] https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2755265
[7] https://www.tobaccofreekids.org/problem/toll-us/kentucky
[8] https://tobaccofree.osu.edu/research/study-companies-pay.html
[9] Science Direct – “Smoke-free laws and adult smoking prevalence” Ellen J. Hahn, Mary kay Rayens Karen M. Butler, Mei Zhang, Emily Durbin, Doug Steinke – University of Kentucky Study.
[10] https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/secondhand_smoke/protection/improve_health/index.htm
[11] https://journals.lww.com/jphmp/Fulltext/2018/09000/The_Impact_of_Implementing_Tobacco_Control.9.aspx
[12] https://www.fightcancer.org/policy-resources/smoke-free-policies-good-business
[13] Uhbi v. State Compensation Insurance Fund (CA, 1990)., Magaw v. Middletown Board of Education (NJ, 1998)., Shimp v. New Jersey Bell (NJ, 1976)., Smith v. Western Electric Co. (MO, 1982)., McCarthy v. Department of Social and Health Services (WA, 1988).
Paid for by Breathe Easy NKY