Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban Proposed

{Frankfort, Kentucky}...Pulmonary specialist Dr. Robert Powell says fifty thousand Americans die each year of illnesses related to secondhand smoke. Democrat Representative Susan Westrom is sponsoring a bill that would ban tobacco smoking in work places, businesses and government buildings statewide. A similar measure did not pass last year, but Westrom says she has about 20 cosponsors and will work to educate other legislators and the public about the issue. Westrom announced the measure Thursday at a rally in the Capitol Rotunda attended by health advocates and other legislators. John Harryman, CEO of Norton Hospital, said a recent poll of Kentucky Chamber of Commerce members showed that 70 percent favor a statewide smoking ban.