Breathing Easy in Marshall County

Dear Editor,

More than 1 in 5 Indiana adults smoke cigarettes (21.5%), one of the highest rates in the nation, while the number of youths using vaping products remains a concern for anti-smoking advocates. Secondhand smoke is estimated to cause over 1,300 deaths among Hoosiers each year. About 1 in 4 nonsmokers nationwide are exposed to secondhand smoke. Strong Smoke free air laws protect more than workers, they protect all residents from secondhand smoke in public places.

Thousands of communities across the nation have made the smart choice to go Smoke free, our coalition is working hard to make Marshall County the next on that list.

MCBEA efforts for a Smoke free community were halted by the global pandemic. With COVID-19 being a respiratory virus and having shown long term affects of the virus, it has highlighted the public need for smoke free air. The pandemic has also made point of the ever-present dangers of secondhand smoke. Masks do not protect people from secondhand smoke, Smoke free air laws do.

If you have questions or want to get involved in our coalition’s efforts visit us on Facebook at Breathe Easy Marshall County Alliance. Let’s do our part to make our community smoke free!

Annette Haining

Tobacco Education Coordinator for Marshall County