As you have probably seen or heard on the news, Wisconsin is once again considering making public places smoke-free.
Two organizations -- "SmokeFree Wisconsin" and "Campaign for Tobacco-free Kids" -- are working hard to educate people across the state not only about the dangers of smoking, but also the dangers of second-hand smoke. Neighboring states and even some Wisconsin cities have already gone smoke-free. And it is definitely time for the entire state to take a stand for health by passing legislation which will assure everyone the ability to breathe smoke-free air. Now is the time to make our legislators aware that the people of Wisconsin need and deserve healthy air quality, inside and outside.
Please read and sign the petition on the "Holding Our Breath" website by this Thursday, April 16th. And do forward the petition and website link to all your friends, family, and acquaintances:
Although my late husband never smoked a day in his life, he died one month ago tonight of "small cell metastatic lung cancer." At least 90% of those diagnosed with this type of cancer were heavy smokers or were victims of second-hand smoke. This is a very aggressive type of cancer. Often, by the time it is diagnosed it is pretty much too late to even begin treatment. Untreated, the prognosis is only 2-4 months; 4-6 months with immediate aggressive treatment. By the time he was diagnosed, the cancer had already spread throughout his body -- lungs, lymph nodes, liver, colon, and possibly brain. There was no trace of cancer when he was hospitalized in December, 2007, after a serious auto accident. He worked in a chemical factory for 18 years, but this type of cancer is like a ticking time bomb that may not show up for years. When it does show-up, it spreads (metastacizes) with a vengeance.
Since at least 90% of those with this type of cancers are heavy smokers or live or work with large amounts of second-hand smoke, it is the type of cancer which in most cases can be prevented!
We must take action NOW! Sign the petition, share it with others, be informed, phone or email your state senator, and show up at hearings.
Below is a fact sheet from the "Holding Our Breath Wisconsin" website. It is also available in .pdf format on the website.
Holding Our Breath For A Smoke-Free Wisconsin!
Everyone who lives and works in Wisconsin deserves the same basic protections from secondhand smoke. Despite twenty years of scientific research proving that secondhand smoke is a serious health hazard, and the success of comprehensive smoke-free laws across the country, workers and customers across Wisconsin are still exposed.
Secondhand smoke is a major health hazard.
Ø The 2006 Surgeon General’s report declared the debate is over and the science is clear. Secondhand smoke is a serious health hazard that causes premature death and disease in nonsmoking adults.[i]
Ø Hundreds of studies and dozens of distinguished scientific and medical organizations have concluded that secondhand smoke is a serious health hazard that causes lung cancer, heart disease and serious respiratory illness in nonsmokers.
Ø The scientific evidence on the health risks associated with secondhand smoke is massive and conclusive and the only way to protect people is to eliminate their exposure.[ii]
We all have the right to breathe smoke-free air.
Ø Food service workers have a significantly greater risk of dying from lung cancer than the general public, due in part to their continuous exposure to secondhand smoke at work.[iii] No one should have to choose between a job and good health.
Ø Bar and restaurant workers deserve the same protection from secondhand smoke that many office workers already enjoy.
Ø Evidence from smoke-free communities shows smoke-free policies improve restaurant and bar workers’ health. Within several months of going smoke-free, Madison bartenders saw a significant reduction in respiratory symptoms like wheezing, cough and eye/nose irritation - symptoms that may be warning signs of serious conditions such as lung or heart disease.[iv]
Ø Protecting our right to breathe clean air is a health and safety issue and should be no more optional than ensuring our food, water and public facilities are safe.
It’s time for Wisconsin to join the numerous other states that have gone smoke-free.
Ø Twenty-five states and Washington D.C. have approved statewide smoke-free laws that cover all restaurants and taverns.
Ø Smoke-free legislation covering all restaurants and bars was recently enacted in Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa and South Dakota (eff. 7/09), leaving Wisconsin further behind.
Ø Over 16,500 municipalities are now protected by a state or local smoke-free law covering all workplaces, and/or restaurants, and/or bars. This represents 70% of the U.S. population!
Wisconsin is ready to enact a comprehensive statewide smoke-free law.
Ø The Surgeon General has concluded that eliminating smoking in indoor spaces is the only way to fully protect nonsmokers from exposure to secondhand smoke.
Ø Over two-thirds (69%) of Wisconsin voters support a law that makes all workplaces and public places, including all restaurants and bars, smoke-free.[v]
Ø The WI Restaurant Association is working to protect the people who patronize and work in their industry—they have endorsed a statewide smoke-free law with no exemptions.
Ø The American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Lung Association and other leading Wisconsin health advocacy groups support a comprehensive smoke-free law that includes all restaurants and taverns.
[i] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke: A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Coordinating Center for Health Promotion, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2006.
[ii] Ibid.
[iii] Siegel, M. Involuntary Smoking in the Restaurant Workplace: A Review of Employees Exposure and Health Effects. JAMA. 1993.
[iv] Palmerscheim K, Remington P, Gundersen D. Program Brief: The Impact of a Smoke-Free Ordinance on the Health and Attitudes of a Bartender. University of Wisconsin Comprehensive Cancer Center, Tobacco Surveillance and Evaluation Program. February 2006.
[v] The Mellman Group and Public Opinion Strategies. Smoke-Free Laws in Wisconsin. April 2008.
Everyone who lives and works in Wisconsin deserves the same basic protections from secondhand smoke. Despite twenty years of scientific research proving that secondhand smoke is a serious health hazard, and the success of comprehensive smoke-free laws across the country, workers and customers across Wisconsin are still exposed.
Secondhand smoke is a major health hazard.
Ø The 2006 Surgeon General’s report declared the debate is over and the science is clear. Secondhand smoke is a serious health hazard that causes premature death and disease in nonsmoking adults.[i]
Ø Hundreds of studies and dozens of distinguished scientific and medical organizations have concluded that secondhand smoke is a serious health hazard that causes lung cancer, heart disease and serious respiratory illness in nonsmokers.
Ø The scientific evidence on the health risks associated with secondhand smoke is massive and conclusive and the only way to protect people is to eliminate their exposure.[ii]
We all have the right to breathe smoke-free air.
Ø Food service workers have a significantly greater risk of dying from lung cancer than the general public, due in part to their continuous exposure to secondhand smoke at work.[iii] No one should have to choose between a job and good health.
Ø Bar and restaurant workers deserve the same protection from secondhand smoke that many office workers already enjoy.
Ø Evidence from smoke-free communities shows smoke-free policies improve restaurant and bar workers’ health. Within several months of going smoke-free, Madison bartenders saw a significant reduction in respiratory symptoms like wheezing, cough and eye/nose irritation - symptoms that may be warning signs of serious conditions such as lung or heart disease.[iv]
Ø Protecting our right to breathe clean air is a health and safety issue and should be no more optional than ensuring our food, water and public facilities are safe.
It’s time for Wisconsin to join the numerous other states that have gone smoke-free.
Ø Twenty-five states and Washington D.C. have approved statewide smoke-free laws that cover all restaurants and taverns.
Ø Smoke-free legislation covering all restaurants and bars was recently enacted in Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa and South Dakota (eff. 7/09), leaving Wisconsin further behind.
Ø Over 16,500 municipalities are now protected by a state or local smoke-free law covering all workplaces, and/or restaurants, and/or bars. This represents 70% of the U.S. population!
Wisconsin is ready to enact a comprehensive statewide smoke-free law.
Ø The Surgeon General has concluded that eliminating smoking in indoor spaces is the only way to fully protect nonsmokers from exposure to secondhand smoke.
Ø Over two-thirds (69%) of Wisconsin voters support a law that makes all workplaces and public places, including all restaurants and bars, smoke-free.[v]
Ø The WI Restaurant Association is working to protect the people who patronize and work in their industry—they have endorsed a statewide smoke-free law with no exemptions.
Ø The American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Lung Association and other leading Wisconsin health advocacy groups support a comprehensive smoke-free law that includes all restaurants and taverns.
[i] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke: A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Coordinating Center for Health Promotion, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2006.
[ii] Ibid.
[iii] Siegel, M. Involuntary Smoking in the Restaurant Workplace: A Review of Employees Exposure and Health Effects. JAMA. 1993.
[iv] Palmerscheim K, Remington P, Gundersen D. Program Brief: The Impact of a Smoke-Free Ordinance on the Health and Attitudes of a Bartender. University of Wisconsin Comprehensive Cancer Center, Tobacco Surveillance and Evaluation Program. February 2006.
[v] The Mellman Group and Public Opinion Strategies. Smoke-Free Laws in Wisconsin. April 2008.
NO MORE "BUTTS"!
If you are a smoker and have been considering the impact of this type of legislation, TAKE ACTION NOW! I can help you to "give up the butts" and live happy, healthy, and smoke-free. Just phone (414-541-HOPE) or email me to take the first step on the road to "Freedom from Smoking". You will be amazed at just how much easier letting go of the smoking habit can be with hypnosis and emotional release!
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