McConnell pushing 21 as minimum age to buy tobacco and vaping products
By Darla Carter | Posted on April 18, 2019U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell said Thursday that he would introduce legislation that would make it illegal for people younger than age 21 to buy tobacco and vaping products, such as electronic cigarettes, nationwide. The Senate Majority Leader announced his intentions during a news conference...
Bill to ban smoking and vaping at Kentucky public schools advances
By Darla Carter | Posted on March 13, 2019A tobacco-free schools bill that had been idling for several weeks finally got passed by the state House of Representatives Tuesday despite concerns by some legislators about loss of local control. House Bill 11, sponsored by Rep. Kim Moser, R-Taylor Mill, would prohibit unauthorized...
Could vaping hotline bill raise e-cigarette purchasing age to 21?
By Darla Carter | Posted on March 1, 2019A bill to establish an anonymous hotline for students to report concerns about vaping also may end up raising the legal age to buy electronic cigarettes in Kentucky to 21. The hotline bill sailed through the Senate Health and Welfare Committee Wednesday after a...
Smoke-free schools legislation gains traction in Kentucky
By Darla Carter | Posted on February 8, 2019The General Assembly is closer to prohibiting the use of tobacco products on school campuses across the state to promote health and steer kids away from traditional and electronic cigarettes. A bill by northern Kentucky state Rep. Kim Moser crossed a hurdle Thursday when...
Edelen backs smoking ban for workplaces, increasing cigarette tax
By Joe Sonka | Posted on February 5, 2019Democratic gubernatorial candidate Adam Edelen announced Monday that he would support legislation to “stand up to Big Tobacco,” including a statewide ban on smoking in workplaces and raising taxes on packs of cigarettes. Legislation to enact a public indoor smoking ban across Kentucky has...
Kentucky flunks ‘State of Tobacco Control’ report
By Darla Carter | Posted on January 30, 2019Kentucky has once again flunked the American Lung Association’s annual look at tobacco control, but the Bluegrass state could improve its grades by passing smoke-free schools legislation, increasing the excise tax on cigarettes and spending more money to thwart tobacco use. That’s according to...
Monday Business Briefing: Sapporo opening second location; local economic activity increasing modestly; Middletown retailer moves, grows; and more
By Staff | Posted on January 20, 2019Welcome to the Jan. 21 Monday Business Briefing, your weekly business intelligence digest from Insider Louisville. Sapporo opening second location When a building along Bardstown Road in the Highlands goes vacant, there often is significant interest — especially if the property has a handful...
Report: Kentucky short on cancer-fighting policies
By Darla Carter | Posted on August 10, 2018This post has been updated Kentucky needs to do more to shed its reputation as a cancer capital and prevent residents from falling prey to the disease. That’s according to the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network and its latest nationwide assessment of state...
Cigarette tax got you down? These classes can help you quit
By Darla Carter | Posted on July 17, 2018Now that the tax on a pack of cigarettes has gone up by 50 cents, it’s the perfect time for Kentuckians to quit smoking. That’s according to health advocates like the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness. The department and some of...
New Health Equity Report examines root causes of health outcomes in Louisville
By Joe Sonka | Posted on November 30, 2017The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness released its 2017 Health Equity Report on Thursday, examining the root causes of disproportionately poor health outcomes in west Louisville among black residents and recommendations to combat those trends. The health department’s Center for Health...