Letter to the Editor
In my role as Health Officer for Vanderburgh County it would be derelict of duty if I failed to comment on the proposed No-Smoking Ban Ordinance. The Vanderburgh County Board of Health unanimously supports a comprehensive ordinance to ban smoking in all public places, including all restaurants, bars, private clubs and gaming facilities.
We can talk about how smoking affects the body and how second-hand smoke has a significant role as well, but this information is well known and has established evidence to support the facts. Obviously, some operators of bars, etc. choose to ignore the evidence even though they place themselves, their employees and their patrons at risk. Their claims are made in the name of “freedom of choice,†when it is, in fact, perceived financial gain.
The reality of the situation is that this problem is now of epidemic proportions. More people die every year from the effects of smoking than any epidemic the world has ever seen. If the Health Department and the entire health systems allowed any other epidemic of this magnitude to get out of hand, we would all be fired! The fatality numbers are staggering. It is regrettable that our federal government continues to subsidize the tobacco industry at the same time health departments are suffering from budget cuts.
One of my favorite restaurants recently closed its doors after many years of serving the public. They had chosen to be a smoking establishment and advertised so. One day my family and I went in about 2:00 p.m. to eat a late lunch. Nearly every chair was taken by people drinking coffee and smoking. We sat down but couldn’t stand the polluted air and left. Seventy-seven percent of our population doesn’t smoke now. Twenty-three percent do–and the percentage is falling. Simple math should tell the owners of these establishments that a no-smoking ban will eventually help them economically.
We are concerned about the health of the citizens of our county. We are working on the challenges of obesity, lack of exercise, drug usage, alcoholism, homicide and suicide. These are all behaviors that account for many deaths and/or suffering. Yet, smoking continues to be the Number #1 cause of preventable death in the U.S.
Join me in urging our elected officials to do the right thing for all of our citizens–and not to give in to special interest groups.
Ray Nicholson, MD
Health Officer, Vanderburgh County
The man whose standup concerts rule the comedy world, Jeff Dunham, announces a full slate of shows through March 2012 that offers his millions of fans brand new laughs and hilarious additions to his famed troupe of sidekicks. In the coming months, concertgoers will meet two new Dunham characters: Achmed Junior, the not-as-equally skeletal son of Achmed the Dead Terrorist, and Little Jeff, a mini-version of the ringmaster himself. The fresh show from the arena-packing comedian will also have its global debut on September 25th as his fourth Comedy Central one-hour TV special, “Controlled Chaos,†bows in North America and makes an unprecedented simultaneous premiere in over a dozen territories worldwide. Dunham’s sidesplitting performances have made him the top grossing live comedian in North America for three consecutive years as well as the last two worldwide. Now his ever-growing legion of devoted fans that flock to his shows year after year will meet the newest additions to his suitcase posse. Achmed the Dead Terrorist has to now contend with his rebellious offspring, Achmed Junior, aka A.J. Meanwhile, Peanut has decided that he’s tired of being Jeff’s sidekick and has taken up ventriloquism with his own character: Little Jeff. More hilarity than ever ensues as the never-before-seen characters unleash their own havoc on stage. “Controlled Chaos†also hits the home entertainment market on DVD on September 27th, and preorders are now open at Amazon.com, where it hit #2 in comedy sales two months out from its release. Dunham followers anxious for a taste of his all-new live show can catch a teaser and see clips at www.jeffdunham.com/controlled chaos. The comic has taken his craft to unequalled heights of success in recent years. He currently boasts 7 million DVDs sold of his three previous specials and Comedy Central series, a New York Times Book Review bestseller list autobiography (“All By My Selvesâ€), ratings records for his past TV shows, a briskly selling line of more than 100 items of merchandise, and a live show that fills top venues in North America, Europe, South Africa and Australia to rapturous receptions and standing ovations nightly. Further information on Jeff Dunham is at: www.jeffdunham.com. His upcoming special has its own dedicated page at: www.jeffdunham.com/controlled chaos.
