Would you like to meet Lance Armstrong?!?!

What: Lance Armstrong at the Citizens for Smoke-free Air Rally
When: Tuesday, March 4th
Day at the Capitol lasts from 10:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Rally goes from 12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Where: Monona Terrace in Madison
1 John Nolen Drive

RSVP here! (Free buses will be leaving from Milwaukee, Green Bay, Wausau, La Crosse, and Eau Claire)

Let your voice be heard!

Today is the Public Hearing for AB 834, which is the Assembly version of SB150, which would eliminate Smoking in all workplaces including bars and restaurants. Since this came up fast, I'm sure many of you can not be there to share your position in person, but you may still contact all members of the Assembly Public Health Committee. I am including the contact information for all of the committee members. I strongly encourage you to educate them TODAY on the impact of smoke free workplaces. If we do not voice our concerns, they assume there is no support (which we know is not true, since polls show that 2/3 of the state population indeed support 100% smoke free work sites- including bars and taverns). Make sure to include your name and address. It is also helpful to include your personal legislators in on any email correspondence. Please share with your friends, family's and co-workers. It's time!

Assembly Public Health Committee Chair: Representative Doc Hines
42nd District: Sauk, Marquette, Adams, Columbia
Telephone: (608) 266-7746 Or (888) 534-0042
District Telephone: (608) 586-5999
Email: Rep.Hines@legis.wisconsin.gov

Vice Chair: Representative Leah Vukmir
14th Assembly District: Wauwatosa, Elm Grove, West Allis
Telephone: (608) 266-9180
Email: Rep.Vukmir@legis.wisconsin.gov

Representative: Joan Ballweg
41st Assembly District: Washura, Green Lake
Telephone: (608) 266-8077
Email: Rep.Ballweg@legis.wisconsin.gov

Representative Terry Moulton
68th Assembly District : Eau Claire
Telephone: (608) 266-9172
Email: Rep.Moulton@legis.wisconsin.gov

Representative Lee Nerison
96th Assembly District: Monroe, Vernon, Richland, Crawford
Telephone: (608) 266-3534 Or (888) 534-0096
District Telephone: (608) 634-4562
Email: Rep.Nerison@legis.wisconsin.gov

Representative: Charles Benedict
45th Assembly District : Walworth
Telephone: (608) 266-9967
Email: Rep.Benedict@legis.wisconsin.gov

Representative: Sheldon Wasserman
22nd Assembly District : North Shore: Brown Deer, River Hills, Glendale, Milwaukee, Shorewood, Whitefish Bay, Fox Point Bayside
Telephone: (608) 266-7671 Or (888) 534-0022
District Telephone: (414) 964-0663
Email: Rep.Wasserman@legis.wisconsin.gov

Representative: Marlin Schneider
72nd Assembly District: Adams, Marquette, Washura
Telephone: (608) 266-0215 Or (888) 529-0072
District Telephone (715) 423-1223
Email: Rep.Schneider@legis.wisconsin.gov

Representative Spencer Black
77th Assembly District: Dane
Telephone: (608) 266-7521
Email: Rep.Black@legis.wisconsin.gov

Please share your correspondence with me, as well as any responses you receive. (foster98@hotmail.com). Thank you for dedication to this effort.

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.