Taking a page from the Obama playbook, Gov. Steve Beshear is issuing an executive order expanding tobacco restrictions for state buildings.
While a statewide smoking ban failed to gain traction during this year’s General Assembly session, Beshear says Kentucky’s health statistics warrant more action from Frankfort.
The order broadens a 2006 ban that prohibits smoking in all state-owned facilities by including the property surrounding the buildings and adding other forms of tobacco to the list, such as snuff and chew, along with e-cigarettes.
"We're just taking the next step in trying to make our people healthier in this. Smoking is one of the leading causes of death and disease in Kentucky and if we can cut into that in any way, it will help all of us," he tells WUKY.
According to a recent Gallup-Healthways report, Kentucky has the highest percentage of smokers in the nation and one of the highest lung cancer rates as well.
The new executive order goes into effect Nov. 20.
