Tobacco Smoke in NKY

• 24 percent of all adults in the Northern Kentucky region are smokers compared to 19 percent in Greater Cincinnati and 14 percent nationally. [1]
• 38 percent of all adults living in Covington are smokers. [2]

Boone and Campbell Counties have not passed any ordinance that limits the exposure to secondhand smoke in public and workplaces, while Kenton County has only passed a partial smoke-free ordinance.

• More than half of Northern Kentucky adults (54%) report that their workplaces allow smoking — indoors, outdoors, or both. [1]
• Nearly 4 in 10 (37%) of those adults who reported exposure to secondhand smoke say they are exposed at least one day per week. [1]
• More than 1 in 10 (13%) say they are exposed to secondhand smoke on a daily basis. [3]

89 percent of Northern Kentuckians think that secondhand smoke is harmful. In fact, many are exposed to such secondhand smoke at work.[3] Nearly 4 in 10 (37%) Northern Kentuckians are exposed to secondhand smoke in their workplace once per week.  Nearly 1 in 10 (13%) Northern Kentuckians are exposed daily.

75 percent of registered voters in Northern Kentucky support a smoke-free ordinance, regardless of their political party affiliation.[1] In such a politically divisive time, we clearly agree on one thing: a smoke-free ordinance should be adopted to protect the health of our community and our children.

72 percent of smokers in Northern Kentucky have considered quitting smoking and 56 percent of these smokers have attempted to quit smoking in the past year.[1] This is a difficult process, and we can help support these smokers in their journey to a healthier life by passing smoke-free ordinances. These ordinances can help remove the temptation to smoke, and can even become the push these struggling smokers need to quit smoking for good.