Kentucky Public Health Association Signals Support for the Increase on Tobacco Products

Frankfort, KY: With yet another group displaying its support for Governor Fletcher's bipartisan, bicameral tax modernization proposal, the Kentucky Public Health Association (KPHA) announces its support for the "JOBS for Kentucky” plan. Specifically, the association has announced its support for the increase in the tax on cigarette and tobacco products. The Kentucky Public Health Association, Inc. was organized in 1949 as a nonprofit, independent, voluntary organization. Today, the mission of the KPHA is to promote maintenance and improvement for protection of the health and welfare of all Kentuckians.

"The Kentucky Public Health Association stands committed to initiate and support all efforts to decrease the use of tobacco and thereby reducing the tragic deaths caused by lung cancer, emphysema and other tobacco related diseases,” said Dudley Conner, Executive Director of the Kentucky Public Health Association. "Although this organization believes that the cigarette tax should be higher, we are pleased that Governor Fletcher has provided the leadership, through his tax plan, to significantly impact the health of Kentuckians especially our youth.”

The Kentucky Public Health Association sponsors and co-sponsors workshops, seminars, and conferences relating to the personal and professional growth and development of its members and other interested citizens in Kentucky. The KPHA is an affiliate of the Southern Health Association, and the American Public Health Association.

"I am pleased to have the support of this important advocate for the health and well-being of all Kentuckians,” stated Governor Ernie Fletcher. "As a physician, I understand the need to curb youth smoking and reduce the number of tobacco related diseases and deaths which occur all too often in this state. That is why I have introduced an increase on tobacco products as a positive first step towards improving the health of every Kentuckian.”

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