Louisville ranks 3rd on smokiest city list.

http://health.yahoo.com/featured/69/on- ... t-smoking/

Smokiest Metro Areas
% Who Are Current Smokers
Wichita Falls, Texas 30.9
Hagerstown, Maryland/Martinsburg, West Virginia 28.9
Huntington, W.Va./Ashland, Ky. 27.9
Louisville, Ky. 27.5

This doesn't surprise me in the least. My two roommates both smoke, and are very good about taking it out on the patio to endulge. I'm about the only one out of my current group that doesn't. I thank the good lord everytime I go out for an evening for the Metro Council and the smoke free initiative

On a similar note, I just read an article that Indiana had the second highest smoking incidence of all states.. We just moved to So. Indiana from Indianapolis and the number of smokers in lower Indiana is staggering (along with the number of grossly obese women). The only encouraging sign is that I see very few male smokers over age 55...guess they all died.
BP

I don't smoke, and I'd bet a lot of money that my kids won't smoke when they grow up. That is the key. Setting good examples. My six year old (almost seven) does have my ok to smoke one cigarette, just so he can see how icky it is. I did similar when I was young. He says "smoking is disgusting" without any prompting from me (well it has probably come over the years).

One addiction I'm grateful not to have gotten. Most of my friends smoked in HS. Besides the monetary costs, quality of life and quantity of life can both be affected significantly.

I was recently at in-laws' house, sitting on a patio with three adults and a seven year old. All three of the adults (not me) were smoking, including his mom, her boyfriend, and grandfather. What message does that send to the kid? He's going to smoke. Sucks.

I'll shut up now.

Nimbus, There are lots a poor examples being set for young people!

Nimbus, There are lots a poor examples being set for young people!

Yeah, I agree.

But as a dad, I know that I'm the number one role model for my two young boys. If I smoke, they'll likely smoke. If I work hard, they'll likely work hard. Etc, etc... I was just recalling a moment when three of this kid's strongest role models were hanging out on the patio, relaxing, having a good time and he was watching them. That kind of stuff sinks in.

I'm no saint, but we can all play a part in changing louisville's ranking on the list. And it should certainly start with our own kids! I care about our kids a lot. Maybe it is the educator in me.

Cheers,

(p.s. I bet the food service industry has more than its share of smokers. Just a hunch)

I don't smoke, and I'd bet a lot of money that my kids won't smoke when they grow up. That is the key. Setting good examples. My six year old (almost seven) does have my ok to smoke one cigarette, just so he can see how icky it is. I did similar when I was young. He says "smoking is disgusting" without any prompting from me (well it has probably come over the years).

One addiction I'm grateful not to have gotten. Most of my friends smoked in HS. Besides the monetary costs, quality of life and quantity of life can both be affected significantly.

I was recently at in-laws' house, sitting on a patio with three adults and a seven year old. All three of the adults (not me) were smoking, including his mom, her boyfriend, and grandfather. What message does that send to the kid? He's going to smoke. Sucks.

I'll shut up now.

I doubt that you and I would agree on too much politically, but to everything you said above? Amen, brother.