It has come to my attention recently that many well intentioned, credible organizations and agencies may not have thought about the implications when planning an event, program or fundraiser. There have been many examples of agencies that work with children, support children, promote family values or collaborate with other agencies, hosting events where alcohol and tobacco use is allowed and accepted.
I realize that it is important for the community to support local businesses. However, it is also important for community leaders and members to not send “mixed messages.” Research shows the harmful effects of secondhand smoke. Until our elected officials address the importance of a comprehensive smoke-free air ordinance it is imperative that supporters step up and support establishments that are 100 percent smoke-free. This means scheduling business meetings, parties and other gatherings in these venues.
Alcohol research supports the fact that domestic abuse and child abuse in our county has a direct correlation to alcohol and drug use. Does it make sense to allow alcohol consumption or bier gardens at events that are publicized as family-centered or are held to support agencies whose mission is to protect the health and well-being of children and families?
If you are promoting activities relating to children or families, please consider these requests. Ensure that the venue you select is alcohol and tobacco free. Ensure that funding sources, prizes, and advertising placement are free of alcohol and tobacco messages. Ensure that donated materials come from donors that promote healthy, smoke-free life styles.
Please reflect on my comments, and when planning your next event bear in mind that a completely smoke-free venue is your healthiest choice.
Karesa Knight-Wilkerson
Executive Director
Healthy, Tobacco-Free Madison County Inc.
Letters
Letter: Choose wisely for family event venues
Community leaders and members should not send 'mixed messages'
- Letters
-
-
Letter: Union attitude must prevail for recovery
Any recovery for the middle class, in the recovery of our economy, will be led by the recovery of the union attitude in America. Nothing else.
- Letter: Founding fathers were humanists
-
Letter: Lutz not representing the working class
I feel bad that Rep. Lutz (R) is sad, because Democrats at the Statehouse are representing the working class people of Indiana. While he is representing big business.
-
Viewpoint:: Washington must wake up to missile threat
Three years after President Obama opened an outstretched hand to Iran and attempted to reset relations with Russia, the former has restarted its drive to build nuclear weapons including recent missile testing and saber rattling while the latter has dropped its diplomatic relations to Cold War temperatures.
-
Letter: Consumer-driven economy will pay off debt
To save America some money — by acclimation of course — let’s not have a presidential election in 2012. We already have a good president who will do his best to kill all Republican bills (DOA) and, consequently, create more good-paying jobs in the $30 per hour range.
-
Letter: Gingrich cashes in on political amnesia
Rasmussen says that Romney has flattened nationally. Why?
Two reasons seem to tell the tale. Gingrich has shown that he will fight, and Romney is a Mormon, believed to be a “cult” by a majority of evangelicals. -
Letter: Hiring Winkler not wise spending
As a taxpayer I want to know that my taxes are being spent wisely. Hiring Greg Winkler at a salary of $126,000 is not wise spending.
-
Letter: Bill of Rights being nullified by new law
President Obama signed the National Defense Authorization Act on New Year’s Eve. I doubt many Americans noticed its implications because they do not yet comprehend the big picture. This law, coupled with the Patriot Act, is paving the way for America’s direction toward tyranny.
-
Letter: $14 trillion debt started by previous president
I’m a proud atheist who’s lucky enough to know the difference between fact and fantasy.
-
Letter: Economy putting people in the gutters
We are now getting the results of putting people in the gutters. We need to take a second look at our government and its policies. It’s not working.
- More Letters Headlines
-
Letter: Union attitude must prevail for recovery
