In the fall of 2022, I stood with Dayton’s City Council to pass a smoke-free ordinance. We were leaders in Campbell County, making the case that all cities in Northern Kentucky need to pass smoke-free legislation to protect our residents. Almost two years after we passed our smoke-free ordinance in Dayton, I feel more confident that our community is stronger in the face of some of the greatest threats to our health today.
All workers in Dayton are guaranteed work environments where the air is clear of smoke. More importantly, this is a guarantee that we can promise into an unknown future. Booming economies go bust. Popular trends change overnight. Right now, there is a society-wide movement away from smoking. Right now, workers can supposedly choose where they want to work. But no one can tell me that is how it will always be. Just look at vaping!
Fun fact: “vape” is a term that was coined to hide what these devices actually are, electronic CIGARETTES.
The smoke-free laws passed by Dayton, Bellevue, and Highland Heights include e-cigarettes. For many of us older folks, we don’t think of vapes as dangerous in the same way that we consider cigarettes to be dangerous. The reality is that we are just learning about the dangers of the chemicals in e-cigarettes. What we do know is that vaping among American youth has reached crisis levels with younger people 16-times more likely to vape than adults.
Communities with smoke-free laws see a marked decline in cigarette use of all kinds. We must do something to protect our kids, and I am proud to say that is exactly what we’ve done in Dayton!
I’ve always believed that it is best to learn from the experiences of others. Anytime you anticipate changing times by looking across the horizon you will be better able be safe and thrive. Right now, we are learning an important lesson about the importance of smoke-free policies by looking across the Ohio River.
In November, Ohio voters legalized marijuana consumption for recreational use. That law took effect 30 days after passage. Because Ohio passed a state-wide smoke-free law over a decade ago, they didn’t have to worry about marijuana smoke in public indoor spaces. Regardless of how you feel about marijuana use, the right to not be exposed to marijuana smoke should reassure Ohioans in the wisdom of passing that smoke-free law so many years ago. Times changed, but they were protected.
Whether it be recreational marijuana or some other new smoking trend, the people of Dayton are protected from it. Other communities will be scrambling to pass laws like we now have on the books – laws that they were vehemently opposed to because “that’s not the place of government” or some other disproven reason. Will they be successful? For the safety of their residents, I sure hope so.
Instead of waiting, I again encourage city leaders across Campbell County and Northern Kentucky to act now. Bellevue and Highland heights did. Do it for our families and schools overwhelmed by e-cigarettes. Do it for the workers who may not always enjoy a fluid economy. Do it for tomorrow, whatever that may bring!
Ben Baker is currently serving his second term as Dayton Mayor after previously serving as Councilman for two consecutive terms. In his time serving the city, Dayton has experienced tremendous development and community growth. Mayor Baker has lived in Dayton since 2010.
