Indiana Black Expo (IBE) and Local Organizations Urge Yes Vote on Proposal 371

INDIANAPOLIS – On Monday, October 26, city-county councilors will have a final vote on Proposal 371 – a proposal which tightens up the current workplace smoking ban ordinance in the City of Indianapolis. Indiana Black Expo, Inc. (IBE), 100 Black Men of Indianapolis, the Aesculapian Medical Society (Local Branch of the National Medical Association), the Indiana Minority Health Coalition, Indianapolis Urban League, Marion County Health Department and the Indianapolis Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Color People (NAACP) have joined forces to form one voice in support of the proposal.

As reported by the American Heart Association, heart disease and stroke are the leading health risks for African Americans, accounting for more than 30 percent of all deaths among blacks in the United States. Earlier this week, the Institute of Medicine released a national report about secondhand smoke exposure and heart disease. The report findings suggest that comprehensive smoke-free air laws help reduce the number of heart attacks.

“Proposal 371 highlights a critical health issue for the African American community,” said Tanya Bell, IBE president and CEO. “All partnering organizations that support Proposal 371 are not only concerned about having a smoke-free working environment for Marion county residents; we are also advocates for the welfare of African Americans, who are disproportionately impacted by second hand smoke. The issue becomes even more vital because we are less likely to have health insurance.”

In an effort to help further encourage community support of the bill, IBE and partnering organizations will run an ad this week in the Indianapolis Recorder, one of Indiana’s top African American publications. Amongst many other community leaders, cardiologist and IBE chairman of the board, Dr. Ray Henderson wrote a personal letter to council members encouraging them to pass Proposal 371. Listed below is Dr. Ray Henderson’s letter of support to the Indianapolis City-County Council.

Letter from Dr. Ray Henderson:

Dear Councilor,

What would you do if you had the power to reduce heart attacks by 25 percent?

On October 26, 2009, you will have the power to inoculate Marion County workers against heart disease and reduce heart attacks in central Indiana! By voting yes for Proposal 371 with no further amendments, you can help prevent thousands of heart attacks and save lives. This may be your most important vote of the year.

Last week the Institute of Medicine released a national report on secondhand smoke exposure and heart disease that concludes that comprehensive smoke-free air laws reduce the number of heart attacks and save lives. In other words, your vote to pass Proposal 371 will mean fewer heart attacks for all Marion County residents!

Data from 11 different studies all consistently demonstrates that secondhand smoke exposure increases the risk of coronary heart disease and heart attacks and that smoking bans reduce heart attacks. Given the prevalence of heart attacks, and the resultant deaths, smoking bans save more than half a million lives each year in the U.S. alone. The savings, as measured in human lives, is undeniable.

As a cardiologist, I would be elated if a new medicine or medical procedure was available that could guarantee the same results as this report concludes. Proposal 371 is the best common sense approach to improving health and lowering the health care cost. So, I implore you to help pass this bill. Our workers deserve smoke-free protection in all workplaces.

Sincerely,

Dr. Ray Henderson, Indiana Black Expo, Inc. Board Chairman

For more information, contact IBE’s communication department at (317) 923-3041 or via email at chendon@indianablackexpo.com.

CLICK HERE to view ad.