What's your story?

I read this story this morning and became angry.

A 19-year-old Michigan woman died of an asthma attack at the bar where she worked, and an autopsy concluded that the fatal incident was triggered by secondhand smoke, the Detroit Free Press reported Feb. 9.

The case is believed to be the first showing that acute secondhand-smoke exposure can led to the death of an adult. "This is a very dramatic case," said Ken Rosenman of the Michigan State University College of Medicine, who reported on the incident in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine. "The other associations have been with chronic exposure. This is the first time someone dropped dead right there."

The Michigan House of Representatives has approved legislation to ban most indoor smoking, but the legislation has been stalled in the state Senate. "I have a granddaughter who has asthma. If you've ever seen an attack, it's not a pretty thing," said State Sen. Ray Basham, who is sponsoring the legislation. "We're losing 3,000 people a year in Michigan to secondhand smoke."
But Andy Deloney, a spokesperson for the Michigan Restaurant Association, said, "If you want to talk about banning smoking because of this unfortunate incident, then let's ban smoking, period. Don't say we're going to take away your individual choices in bars and restaurants but you can go into a tribal casino and smoke."

This arguement has been about health since day 1. In Wisconsin, SB150 is currently sitting, waiting for 1 person to decide when it can go to the floor to be voted on by the Senate. But that person, Senator Russ Decker (cough), thinks there needs to be compromises made.

I think it's important for everyone to know that there have been compromises made. We are accepting the langauage that came out of committee which allowed a delayed implementation, and some exemptions. But one question I'd like answered is why should we compromise people's lives? As the surgeon General so elloquiently stated "The Debate is over. The Science is clear." I am angry that I have to continue justifying why people's lives are less important that someones wishes to allow smoking. I will not apologize for saving lives. This is what the people of Wisconsin want, as demonstrated with the polls illustrating two-thirds of the state support 100% smoke free bars and resturaunts; and the attendence of a 3 to 1 ratio of those speaking in favor of the bill at the public hearing. The time is now.

Where do you stand? What is your smoke free story? I encourage you to visit: http://www.mysmokefreestory.com/and share it with us.