I am a licensed health care provider, who lives in Indianapolis and works in Anderson. It has been astounding to me that so many of your restaurants and entertainment facilities such as bowling alleys continue to be smoke-filled. As more and more evidence mounts regarding the acute and chronic illnesses caused by direct and secondhand smoke, I cannot believe that the parents and adults in this community would not be more determined to keep their children and youth smoke free.

If it is your decision to smoke, at least respect the health of your children and other people and take it outside. The time is now to ban smoking, particularly when children and non-smokers are present. Why? ... because it is the right thing to do.

The Indianapolis City Council is currently considering legislation that would make an existing smoking ban even more inclusive to protect all workers from secondhand smoke. It is past time for Anderson and Madison County to move into the 21st century and consider the health of all its citizens.

Ginny Maher, CNM, MSN

Community Hospital Anderson