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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

More Birthday Candles; Less Stale Air Say Smokeout Advocates

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Thursday, November 18, 2010   

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Today is the 35th anniversary of the American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout. It's the time of year the group encourages smokers to toss their cigarettes and kick the habit for good.

James Sharp, with the American Cancer Society of Kentucky, says smokers who decide to no longer light one up may breathe a lot easier when they blow out more and more birthday candles.

"According to some of our reports, smokers who quit can expect to live as many as 10 years longer. And, that amounts to 10 more birthdays, and that's very significant for the American Cancer Society."

Sharp says indoor smoke-free ordinances can go a long way to help those trying to quit. He says 26 communities have enacted some level of smoke-free workplaces through ordinances or regulations. Campbell County in Northern Kentucky is considering the same.

"We think it's very responsible. We think it's a very good ordinance for public health and very good for business. It's more than time they've taken this responsibility to protect their communities and uphold the rights of citizens to breathe clean air."

Kentucky doesn't have a statewide smoke-free law. Considering smoking-related illnesses cost the Kentucky Medicaid program more than $500 million a year, Sharp notes the ACS and others will work to convince local and state policymakers that smoking ordinances make good dollars and sense.

"No one should have to choose between a job and good health. Smoke-free policies protect citizens' health because there is no risk-free level of exposure to second-hand smoke."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 822,000 adult Kentuckians smoke, nearly a quarter of the state's adult population. The ACS has tools and resources to help smokers put out their last cigarette online at www.cancer.org.




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