Smoking...is it still allowed in public in KY? (Berea: work, health)

[nlschr0]

Overall, KY is much more pro-smoking than other states where I've lived. Not much of a surprise given its large tobacco economy and higher rates of smokers. Unfortunately, also higher rates of lung cancer.

In most of the urban areas, you will find a lot of smoke-free restaurants, malls, office buildings, etc. Of course, some areas have smoking bans, which have already been mentioned.

In the more rural areas, it seems more of an accepted thing to be able to smoke in public gathering areas.

Even in cities like Louisville and Lexington, there are many gas stations, flea market and consignment type stores, and other mom-and-pop retail places that allow smoking, even considering places with bans. It is not unusual to stop at a gas station and see the employee, on duty, with a lit cigarette. This never made much sense to me! We stopped at a local grocery store (in a rural Scott County area) where both employees and customers were smoking, which is also odd to me. Being a non-smoker, I really didn't like having food items that smelled strongly of cigarette smoke.

The biggest thing is the number of residents who consider it to be a norm, and would never even think to question if they should smoke in an area. For example, I've had guests in my home start smoking without asking, which really shocked me. And many other private homes that are usually non-smoking ones will have multiple guests smoking indoors during gatherings, bbq's, etc - many homeowners here consider this normal, which is much different than what I have experienced elsewhere.

Of course, the state is slowly growing to higher awareness of smoking and secondhand smoke issues. If you want a pro-smoking environment, stick to the more rural areas and some selected urban areas. If you want to avoid it, focus on the city regions.

[stx12499]

Originally Posted by nlschr0

Overall, KY is much more pro-smoking than other states where I've lived. Not much of a surprise given its large tobacco economy and higher rates of smokers. Unfortunately, also higher rates of lung cancer.

In most of the urban areas, you will find a lot of smoke-free restaurants, malls, office buildings, etc. Of course, some areas have smoking bans, which have already been mentioned.

In the more rural areas, it seems more of an accepted thing to be able to smoke in public gathering areas.

Even in cities like Louisville and Lexington, there are many gas stations, flea market and consignment type stores, and other mom-and-pop retail places that allow smoking, even considering places with bans. It is not unusual to stop at a gas station and see the employee, on duty, with a lit cigarette. This never made much sense to me! We stopped at a local grocery store (in a rural Scott County area) where both employees and customers were smoking, which is also odd to me. Being a non-smoker, I really didn't like having food items that smelled strongly of cigarette smoke.

The biggest thing is the number of residents who consider it to be a norm, and would never even think to question if they should smoke in an area. For example, I've had guests in my home start smoking without asking, which really shocked me. And many other private homes that are usually non-smoking ones will have multiple guests smoking indoors during gatherings, bbq's, etc - many homeowners here consider this normal, which is much different than what I have experienced elsewhere.

Of course, the state is slowly growing to higher awareness of smoking and secondhand smoke issues. If you want a pro-smoking environment, stick to the more rural areas and some selected urban areas. If you want to avoid it, focus on the city regions.

You are correct, but you will only find that happen in a few select rural areas. I have a friend who lives in Bullit County, which is part of the growing sprawl/suburbs south of Louisville. She lives in an area that is somewhat remote off KY 44, and I stopped at one of those "mom and pop" gas stations and boy was I surprised to see the clerk and customer smoking and chatting inside! I have never seen that before, and certainly never seen it anywhere in the city.

[nlschr0]

Actually, the last time I saw it was in Middletown (a Louisville suburb) near the Snyder exit, just over Easter weekend. There is also a gas station (BP, maybe?) that I will avoid near downtown Louisville for that very reason (somewhere near the Story exit at I-64 - I can't remember the intersection).

It happens in Lexington, also (most recently I saw it at the Exxon on Newtown Pike).

I agree, it is more common in the outlying rural areas, and in the truck stop/travel stations along the interstates, than in the city limits of Louisville, Lexington, etc.

[Coyote_Blond]

I'm stuck in Harrison county and you'd think it was the 60's or 70's! Smok-a-thon heaven! Drive and smoke. Work and smoke. I've witnessed local factory workers excercise walking and smoking! Duh! People mow and puff. Nurse your kid and smoke. Seriously, get a clue folks! It is 2007! lol! Maybe the Louisville metro areas haze is all smoke!

[movax0]

Paducah has the same problem. Passed the ban, all the bars and restaurants
take the hit. I am a smoker. I think it is very rude to smoke in a public place such as a restaurant (bars are a different story)
and expose others that maybe dont want to smoke to my smoke. What I hate
worse, is, as a property and business owner, the government telling me how to utilize my property. The higher premiums arise from covering the uninsured. I smoke and pay my own health insurance. My smoking wont cost the welfare
system a dime. It always amazes me how much freedom we will give up with a
good public advertising campaign. Can you say Transfat? We is stuped down hare and needs the gubment to perteckt us.

[movax0]

we is stuped down hare in kaintuk. We needs the gubment to salve us from the evel smokes and globel wermings. I keends the gubments halp in runin my biznez and propertie caz my kustmers is not got them college phds. or is that the collectives property?

It is amazing how much freedom we will give up in the name of "sound science"

-Signed the flat earth society.

[Coyote_Blond]

A general benefits survey of 950 U.S.-based employers last year showed that at least 41% used some form of financial incentives or penalties in their health-care plans. They estimate that at least 8% to 10% of the businesses probably aimed some of the incentives or penalties at smokers and says that percentage is growing.

With smokers costing companies about 25% more than nonsmokers in the area of health care, it just makes good business sense.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates $92 billion in lost wages annually in the United States from smokers who die prematurely. In addition, the economic cost of smoking includes $75.5 billion per year in direct health care costs.

[movax0]

I work at a plant with 250 or better employees. We implemented these incentives, however the "incentives" were paid for by the smokers and non-smokers alike in our company. By implementing the incentives such as a "smoking is bad" campaign or laser therapy (Snake oil of the 2000's) The insurance company only raised my employees (And company) premium 17 as opposed to 25% to implement the programs, with no back end decrease guarantee, whatsoever. thats a cost savings? We have 10 year data that says there is very little difference in our case between smokers and non. Pregnancy and obesity related illness is by far, more costly than smoking on an insurance plan. I pay the bill, I know. Everybody knows smoking will kill you. So will everything else.

[Sundance]

Oh my goodness, if you want to move to KY don't let the smoking thing stop you....the flea market was basically just a big empty building, with people renting booths.

There was really no one to enforce anything, IF smoking indoors was illegal. It doesn't happen that often, even in KY.

[nlschr0]

Yes - the KY flea markets are an interesting and very unique form of shopping for KY. In some other areas where I've lived, "flea market" means a smaller place that has mostly antiques, vintage knick-knacks, odds and ends from estate sales, etc. In KY, it means all that and more, with a lot of crafts, wholesale beauty items, airbrushed tshirts, goldfish and hermit crabs, cheap imported items, farmer's honey and jams, and even cigarettes, tobacco, and "adult entertainment" items. There are huge, permanent flea market buildings that rent booths and are open for regular hours each week.

It is certainly an intersting place to experience, but not something that you should judge the rest of the area on. A flea market (including all of the cigarette smoke) is unlike anything else you will probably find in KY!