The American Cancer Society’s c(4) division is running a new TV ad in support of the “Smoke Free Illinois” bill. Have a look and tell me what you think…

Also, Attorney General Lisa Madigan has signed on as a supporter of the legislation, which would essentially outlaw smoking in all indoor public places.

       

19 Comments - fed up - Friday, Mar 23, 07 @ 9:21 am: years from now, our children will say, “what were they thinking? what took them so long?” anyone who doubts the importance of this needs to watch this poor woman’s story - Rt of Center - Friday, Mar 23, 07 @ 9:36 am: I think it’s right to the point and I would support this type of legislation. - A Non-Smoker in Joliet - Friday, Mar 23, 07 @ 10:41 am: Has a smoker ever considered that if they can’t go out for a couple of hours without a cigarette, that their personal addiction is something to really question. Do they ever consider the smoking addiction like a ‘drug’ addiction - bet they don’t! Bet they wouldn’t do drugs - but they smoke. Go figure. - BBpolNut - Friday, Mar 23, 07 @ 10:50 am: You know, when will the government stop? What’s next? Fast food? Smoking is bad we all know that. But it is not illegal. This bill is aimed at bars. 99% of public places and many restaurants now are non-smoking. There are plenty of places to work that are non-smoking. Argue this point– If there is such a demand for a non-smoking bar or club then why hasn’t someone opened one? Free market people. If you want freedom in a capitalist society there has to be some bad to get the good. - Rich Miller - Friday, Mar 23, 07 @ 10:56 am: How about talking about the ad instead of the same tired debate? - D-Girl - Friday, Mar 23, 07 @ 10:59 am: I support this 100%! We are now seeing the devastating effects of second-hand smoke and we need to act NOW. IL is already behind many states that have passed smoke-free laws because they understand the health effects. Why is it taking IL so long? Lets pass this law in 2007!!! - Right Ontrack - Friday, Mar 23, 07 @ 11:00 am: I would support this legislation 100%. It’s not right for someone to be exposed to the toxins od someone elses addiction. We need to protect human life not addictions. Smokers right do not take precedence over someone’s life. And anyone who does not support this is saying “your life is not as important as my addiction and my inability to not smoke for 1-2 hours in a restaurant” - Anon - Friday, Mar 23, 07 @ 11:02 am: I think the ad is very touching, because it is real. This is a real person who has personally experienced the negative side effects of second-hand smoke. And she is young! We must protect the health of ourselves and our children. - BBpolNut - Friday, Mar 23, 07 @ 11:04 am: OK, the American Cancer Society has a valid point. Smoking is unhealthy. We know that. They are pointing their spector at the health of bar employees. I’ve worked in many bars in my day. Waitresses and bartenders know that these are smoking establishments. A good many of them are from the smoking/drinking crowd themselves- thats how they came to work in bars and taverns. Not all of course but many. To me its akin to someone starting smoking in 1997 and now blaming tobacco for cancer. - scoot - Friday, Mar 23, 07 @ 11:06 am: Pretty good ad….i think they need to add a couple more people w/ similiar stories and throw in elected offcials that support it like AG Madigan at the end of the ad. - Levois - Friday, Mar 23, 07 @ 11:14 am: I’d say for those who are ignorant about the debate over 2nd hand smoke, this is a very effective ad. First hand stories are important in cases like these. - Bob - Friday, Mar 23, 07 @ 11:24 am: Just because our culture has been wrong for 2 centuries does not mean that we should continue the tradition of ignorance. This issue is akin to other public health standards–sure people can choose not to frequent an establishment whose health standards are dangerous, or choose not to work in an unhealthy environment, but that does not prevent our government from passing legislation regarding public health concerns. This issue is every bit as severe of a threat to public health as is exposure to ecoli or salmonella, if not more so. It’s time for our government to protect the rights of those who are harmed by smoking, rather than protecting the right to DO harm. - SpanProf - Friday, Mar 23, 07 @ 12:27 pm: Powerful ad! It’s about time the state went smoke-free. We are smoke-free here in DeKalb and my husband, who travels for a living, says it feels very strange and somewhat upsetting to go into a restaurant elsewhere now–even if there are supposedly smoke-free sections, and even if only a couple of people are smoking. - ACS - Friday, Mar 23, 07 @ 12:47 pm: Lisa Christia is a truly amazing and inspirational person, aqnd her personal story is quite amazing. A 30 second TV spot cannot do her story justice. If you want her full story, we have posted it at our Smoke Free Illinois blog at http://www.smokefreeillinois.net/blog/2007/03/lisas-story-gets-higher-profile.html - Tom - Friday, Mar 23, 07 @ 1:14 pm: I think the ad stinks. 2 years ago they said let the locals decide, now they want the state to outlaw it. What’s next? Adelstein usually does better work than that POS. - KCB - Friday, Mar 23, 07 @ 4:03 pm: I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL PEOPLE IN MY LIFE DIE FROM LUNG CANCER AND 2ND HAND SMOKE THIS YEAR. NOW THAT THE TRUTH IS KNOWN ABOUT THE EFFECTS OF 2ND HAND SMOKE, WE HAVE TO ACT. 16 OTHER STATES HAVE TAKEN ACTION AND NOW IT IS TIME FOR ILLINOIS TO FOLLOW SUIT. THE PERSONAL FREEDOM ARGUMENT DOES NOT WORK. SMOKE IF YOU WISH, JUST NOT INSIDE WHERE EVERYONE ELSE MUST SUFFER. OSHA PROTECTS EMPLOYEES AGAINST CARCINOGENS, EXCEPT IN THE CASE OF 2ND HAND SMOKE. I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO A SMOKE FREE ILLINOIS - Kevin Highland - Friday, Mar 23, 07 @ 4:28 pm: People put their life at risk for paychecks all of the time, cops, firemen, miners the list goes on. The ad is very touching. I’m sorry this woman had cancer regardless of the cause. Ultimately this boils down to smoking is legal, if you want to avoid the dangers of smoking don’t go or work at a place that it is allowed. If tobacco is such a harmful product it needs to be made illegal federally and treated like the other drugs. Until it is made an illegal substance, then I think the crime is telling business owners and private citizens what they can do in they place of business, car or home. BTW I am a former smoker that has this attitude. - Mom - Saturday, Mar 24, 07 @ 8:13 am: I just returned from Ireland and when I asked how they managed to pass a smoking ban that covered the entire country, the answer was always the same, worker’s rights! I agree! All Americans deserve the right to work in a safe environment. - Aware - Saturday, Apr 7, 07 @ 3:41 pm: Can we finally ban smoking in all Illinois restaurants to protect the workers???? I’m tired of being exposed to the smoke… this is the only job that will hire me right now since I haven’t gotten my degree yet! Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.