Dear Editor,

The City of Jackson has once again taken a step in the right direction for the health of its citizens. I am extremely proud of the leadership of the Jackson City Council to strengthen the city’s smoke free ordinance to include bars. Now, ALL employees of ALL workplaces can breathe air free of harmful smoke. 

The American Heart Association, along with other organizations and agencies, has worked tirelessly to help improve the overall health of Jackson and other cities in Mississippi by working to reduce people’s exposure to secondhand smoke. Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke are the leading preventable causes of heart disease and heart disease is the number one killer in Mississippi. Our state is now one step closer to reducing the rate of heart disease and improving the overall health of its citizens.

Again, I applaud the City of Jackson and I am proud to live in a city that cares so much about the health of its children, families, residents and visitors.

Sincerely,

Sharolyn Smith

Jackson