Wayne Meriwether, CEO of Leitchfield, Ky.-based Twin Lakes Medical Center, is encouraging the city of Clarkson, Ky., to go smoke-free, reports The Grayson County News-Gazette.
Mr. Meriwether proposed the idea to Clarkson commissioners during their first official meeting of 2017.
"Our hospital recently purchased property in Clarkson for a health clinic. So I am asking you to invest in the health of the citizens of Clarkson," he said at the meeting, according to the News-Gazette. "We would like to see a smoke-free ordinance."
Bonnie Henderson, mayor of Clarkson, said she would vote "no" on the proposal, citing a list of local businesses that said they would not want such an ordinance. Several other commissioners were more open to the idea, citing concerns over health issues.
No formal action was taken. The commissioners will draw up an ordinance and welcome public feedback for the proposal during their next meeting in February.
More articles on population health:
Smoking costs world $1 trillion annually, WHO finds
CDC issues report on football fatalities: 5 key takeaways
Opioid epidemic continues to thrive in hardest-hit communities: 7 things to know