Radio ads gets early start on fighting possible smoking ban vote
Is there such a thing as getting fired up too soon?
Anti-smoking ban crusader Bill Hannegan, head of the Keep St. Louis Free coalition, has secured airtime on KSIV, a Christian format radio station, for an ad targeting a potential public vote in St. Louis County on whether to prohibit smoking indoors.
The ads were scheduled to run starting today.
Hannegan’s issue with the proposal — or, at least, one of his issues — is that it exempts casinos.
Even so, the sponsor, County Counil member and State Senate candidate Barbara Fraser, has a long way to go before clinching a spot on the November ballot.
The legislation would have to be approved by Aug. 25 — and that’s if it escapes a veto by County Executive Charlie A. Dooley, who says he prefers a statewide approach to regulating smoking.
Asked if Dooley would veto Fraser’s bill, aide Mike Jones said recently the question “puts many carts ahead of the horse.”
Jake, I am really not starting early. I am asking Barbara Fraser right now to at least put a fair ban on the ballot. If you can exempt one “over 21″ venue, exempt all “over 21″ venues. The ad is running on KSIV 1320.
Jake - look at the story about the 24th State Senate Race. Fraser has raised one quarter of her opponent. This county smoking ban is being done for one reason and one reason only. Its one way to quickly get her name out there for fundraising. Now she has leverage to get nice campaign contributions from the casinos.
She did it right quarterly campaign finance reports came out. She did right after she realized how far she was behind. She did when the only way to get it on the ballot would be to rush it through. Everyone was caught off guard on this one including those for it. I think even the proban side will be upset at this. In her attempt to take in contributions, if this haphazard attempt fails - it will make it very difficult to bring up anytime soon.
How about our County listen to some of its people, instead of some special interest trying to push its ban agenda.
In Kirkwood citizens are pushing an alterntive ordinance. One that has community input and common sense ideas that protect our community but still allow people a choice.
I think you will find, most people would prefer a common sense approach.
The citizens of St. Louis County need a proposal like the Choose St. Louis - Informed Health Choice Proposal. It is a common-sense approach to smoking bans. Find out more about it at: http://www.choosestl.org
Just a reminder of the sources of the bans:
http://www.rwjf.org/pr/product.jsp?ia=143&id=14912
And what the 99 million dollars was going to. Note on page seven, patios later, and page eight, voting not allowed
http://www.no-smoke.org/pdf/CIA_Fundamentals.pdf
An informal study of the tobacco control activists handbook.
http://www.davehitt.com/blog2/the-nicotine-nazi-handbook/
This is unfair, why can’t the bans just be up to the business owners who in the long run are going to get hit the hardest financially because of these bans??? If people don’t like it they can go to another establishment, its that easy. With the economy this bad these bans are just making everything worse!!! I own 2 bars and have found an alternative to sell at my establishments that I think every bar owner should look into. For more information go to http://www.Crown7.com
A Christian radio station?
Brilliant PR move.. that should reach a huge audience. And I know tons of churches that allow smoking indoors.
The smokefreestl.org billboards are up. YES!!