Karma Clara Bryan

More Kentuckians would hear lung cancer diagnoses from their physicians if the legislature weakens local smoke-free ordinances by imposing an exemption for cigar bars. (Getty Images) House Bill 211 would threaten Kentuckians health by requiring local smoke-free ordinances to allow smoking in cigar bars. HB 211 could undo the dramatic public health protections afforded by the 44 strong smoke-free ordinances in Kentucky. Smoke-free hospitality venues are popular.

by Karma Clara Bryan, Kentucky Lantern January 28, 2025 We count on the U.S. Senate to put the health of the nation first and not confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the secretary for the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). He is not qualified and would risk endangering the public’s health if charged with leading this agency. We see an urgent need to preserve the exceptional public health advances our country has achieved over the past decades.