Advocates of a statewide smoking ban are taking their issue on a five day tour before this weekend's Fancy Farm political picnic. The Smoke Free Kentucky Coalition has pushed a statewide smoking ban law in the General Assembly for the last two years. And they are making next year's legislative session a key moment in their fight.
Coalition Coordinator Betsy Janes said, " 2013 will be a good time to pass a smoke free bill because everyone deserves the right to breathe clean air. Many cities in Kentucky, many counties in Kentucky have done the right thing and protected their citizens from exposure to second hand smoke. Its time now for all Kentuckians everywhere to have the right to breathe smoke-free air."
The coalition road tour starts today in Louisville and Lexington. The group will then head south to Somerset, then west to Bowling Green. They plan to arrive at the picnic Saturday morning. Janes said the road tour and advocacy at Fancy Farm this year should help succeed in the goal of a smoke free Kentucky next year.
Janes said the group is looking into the possibly more road trips to drum up support for the issue before the 2013 session begins.