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State smoking ban vote follows ad blitz
By Mike Riopell
mike.riopell@lee.net
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SPRINGFIELD -- Thursday’s Senate vote to ban smoking in all Illinois public places comes on the heels of hundreds of thousands of dollars in television advertising trying to convince voters and lawmakers that second-hand smoke is dangerous.

The anti-smoking ads join spots about Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s business tax plan and others about cable TV competition as recent commercials that could interrupt the local news or “Good Morning America.”

Jeff Brand, a communication professor at Millikin University in Decatur, says it’s not necessarily unusual to see groups take their legislative goals to the tube.

“I think right now we just have a glut of issues,” he said.

An ad to support the proposed smoking ban features Lisa Cristia, a Chicago-area woman who worked in bars and restaurants and was diagnosed with a “smoker’s cancer” even though she’s a non-smoker.

“This puts a face on what can happen when you’re exposed to second-hand smoke,” said Shayne Squires, spokeswoman for the American Cancer Society. She said the group made a “six-figure” buy mostly in the Springfield and Decatur media market.

Brand thinks it’s effective, especially because it leaves out opponents’ fears that smokers’ freedoms would be violated by a ban.

“Here’s a woman who gets cancer by going to work,” he said.

Clearly, the ads didn’t hurt. The Senate approved the statewide ban by a 34-23 vote Thursday, but the House and Blagojevich still have to act before it can become law.

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Reader comments on this story - 22 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Lets be objective wrote on May 11, 2007 1:59 PM:

" The money is in tobacco, the greatest conspiracy in the history of humankind. Tobacco's adverse to health are more than well proven. Other states that have passed smoking restrictions have found it very good for business and that is where the money really is. "

Trying to be objective wrote on May 11, 2007 1:54 PM:

" Many of the comments made have no basis in fact. Tobacco companies knew of the health effects of smoking and the link to cancer since at least the 1950's. Illinois is not the first, nor will it be the last to pass restrictions on smoking. Smokers are in denial of the health effects to themselves and others. They don't want to be shaken from this denial by facts. "

Have it both ways wrote on May 7, 2007 2:53 PM:

" I have read that in these posts, that second hand smoke does not make people sick. At the same time, people opposed to the ban say that workers who "choose" to work in a smoke atmosphere accept the "dangers". What dangers would that be? How much risk are people are you willing to expose your kids to if it means they can make a buck. (wait staff, bus boys, bartenders) How much risk should they have to assume. "

to Me, wrote on May 4, 2007 10:35 AM:

" What makes you such an expert to express your statements? Maybe YOU should be one of those that possess the same illness that the young lady in this article does. Can you produce documents that prove to us that you are qualified to say that "there is no such thing?" WHATEVER! Those that claim that they know so much, really know nothing at all!! "

Me: directed to Can anyone tell me wrote on Apr 1, 2007 12:14 AM:

" You will have to join the Michigan Militia! Free from taxes and able to do what their lil heart pleases! Must be nice. Maybe I should think about moving out too. No reason to continue paying this states wages in my eyes. "

Me wrote on Apr 1, 2007 12:11 AM:

" You have got to be kidding me!! Smokers cancer? What part of the body does that affect? None? Cause there is no such thing! Give me a break. All they do is come up with a crap term and blow it all out of porportion, because now all of the sudden they know everything. The media is a piece of crap to begin with. Believe them all. The funny thing is, the Senate, when they are sitting out on the curbs smoking instead of working and your paying their wages because they will sit there for a long time to intake their cigarette, dont complain when the taxes skyrocket to keep him being able to afford more!! Sounds like a win win situation! Keep on blowing smoke in their faces!! Hoorah! "

Can anyone tell me wrote on Mar 31, 2007 12:47 PM:

" what state does not have an over-bearing, strip me on mu rights mentality, so I can move there! "

when they ban smoking, wrote on Mar 31, 2007 12:44 PM:

" what are they going to use to make up for the loss in thx revnue? "

to its all about the money wrote on Mar 30, 2007 2:51 PM:

" you are correct alcohol is by far worse but mark up is outrageous my best friend owns a bar and let me tell you a nickel worth of alcohol is their cost to you try 3.00 maybe even 5.00 depending on the shot priorities is the money in this state the governor has shown his actions by far towards what you say its all about the money if you got none or cant get none screw you is illinois attitude!!! what a joke!!!! "

a joke!!! wrote on Mar 30, 2007 2:47 PM:

" the governor is a joke i am glad i did not vote him in and to think i almost did i would be kicking my own but everyday!! if you choose to work in a bar you deserve what comes to you most of them smoke themselves and you know you are dealing with everything the cat drug in when you go to that time clock lets be in reality!!!!!and i am a non smoker!!!!! GLAD because i would be very upset about now!!!! "

$600K wrote on Mar 30, 2007 12:19 PM:

" When the state is broke? Maybe they can sue the tobacco company again and get some more money? "

Devil's Advocate wrote on Mar 30, 2007 11:52 AM:

" Maybe she got her lung cancer from Radon. Another great scam scare being foisted on the public by special interest groups. The ones scamming every homebuyer and seller into putting one of their idiotic $1200 "Radon reduction systems" in your basement. Maybe she'll end up starving to death like the former employees of bars will be when the non-smoking, non-tipping dogooders stay for their one drink and go home. "

choice of profession wrote on Mar 30, 2007 9:48 AM:

" In my opinion, a person that goes to work in a bar is destined to be around smoke. They knew that when they accepted the position. I personally would not accept a position that would put myself in danger and then complain about it. The choice is theirs. Just as the choice to smoke is the smokers. If smoking is allowed in the business and you don't want to be around smoke stay out it. If smokers want to smoke and the business don't allow it, go somewhere else. "

LittleMac wrote on Mar 30, 2007 9:38 AM:

" Poor Lisa: another well heeled, special interest group has decided to make her their latest poster child. Someone who doesn't smoke: and still has Cancer. No explanation, other than to blame it on shs. Of course it's shs. Why, it has to be. And, for the Believers and our legislators, that's what passes for proof. Well, why not: these are the boobs who pass our laws: with as much thought given to this particular issue as they do all others. But, I do hope it eventually proves to be a victory for the American Cancer Society. They could use one. With billions of dollars sent their way over the past sixty years, it's way past time they had something to show for it. Even if the 'victory' is tenuous in the extreme. "

TO to six figure wrote on Mar 30, 2007 9:38 AM:

" Capitalism no longer exists. It is just a metaphor of someones imagination. Advertising campaigns are meant to fool some of the people most of the time and they got you. "

Pink Floyd wrote on Mar 30, 2007 7:59 AM:

" What's hazardous is Blogo's hair spray and his jet fumes that are released every day as he makes his trip back and fourth to Chicago. "

Ferdinand von Zeppelin wrote on Mar 30, 2007 7:50 AM:

" Herr Blagojevich. Why wont you just lease one of my sailing vessels for your ad champaign. I will put a picture of you on the tail rudder. You could toss out Blitz Cookies from the smoking lounge. "

It's all about money.... wrote on Mar 30, 2007 6:01 AM:

" when states don't make as much revenue off of something, they just get it another way. I don't know what the mark up on beer is in IL, but 10 years ago in TN, it was over 300% as I was told by my step-daughter's brother-in-law who had a liquor store. The state makes a bundle of money on alcohol - that's why the state doesn't want to ban alcohol. Well, that plus the state leaders, themselves, are dependent on it like thousands of citizens are. In the long run, alcohol costs taxpayers more dollars for treatment, which has at the most a 10% success rate. Isn't it wonderful to know that more of our dollars are spent on treatment for alkies than for those who smoke? Ninety percent of the alkies will NOT stay clean and sober so we get to pay for them over and over and over in treatment facilities. "

Lisa wrote on Mar 30, 2007 2:52 AM:

" Yes, on to the house! Everybody email your representative in support of this law! "

To: six figure ad campaign wrote on Mar 30, 2007 1:42 AM:

" Hey, that's capitalism! Buying advertising on TV is the American way. Let the market decide! Just like the smoking ban opponents say. What are you a Nazi/Commie/Nanny? If you don't like it, leave! The irony is astounding!!! Smoke Free Illinois, a little late, but I love it! "

Bar worker wrote on Mar 29, 2007 11:17 PM:

" WOO HOO! Congrats to the senate for doing the right thing! "

Six-figure ad campaign! wrote on Mar 29, 2007 11:08 PM:

" That much money following the vote in Springfield and Decatur only. That says it all. Anybody who understands how money works, can see that it is no wonder that media supports the anti-smoking crusade cause that is where the money is. The media has been bought lick, stock, and barrel. The media and investigative reporting is a thing of the past. Just "show the money" says the media, and we'll do what you say. No need for research, we'll just do it. "
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