Smoking ban controversy continues

TERRE HAUTE, Ind (WTHI) - The proposed amendment to ban smoking from public places has non-smoking advocates reminding people the effects of second hand smoke. 

Health officials say one of the main reasons to eliminate smoking in public places is because of the effects of second hand smoke.

CHANCES for Indiana Youth is an anti-smoking organization. They say for every eight smokers that die, one non-smoker dies due to illness caused by second hand smoke. Indiana also has the second highest smoking rate in the nation. On record, 21% of Vigo County residents smoke.

Carrie Evans with CHANCES for Indiana Youth uses a model to show the effect smoke can have on those who choose not to light up.

"The smoke that comes off the end of the cigarette is more toxic than what is coming through this end because on this end you have a filter," CHANCES for Indiana Youth Carrie Evans said.
The model Evans uses is a manikin’s head puffing on a cigarette in a closed container. Inside the container is a new filter. After the cigarette burns out the container is opened and the filter is removed. One can see on the filter all of the remnants left behind.

"This is just from one cigarette, imagine being somewhere where there are several people smoking at one time or throughout the day. Your body is going to take a toll," Evans said.

Vigo County health department officials say second hand smoke also has a direct link to heart disease which is another problem being battled in Vigo County.

For more information on second hand smoke click on the links below:

www.itpc.in.gov
www.whitelies.tv
www.voice.tv