[C-U Smokefree] Coordinating letters to the editor

[Scott P Hays]

Greetings Smokefree volunteers!

I have just submitted my letter to the News-Gazette in the name of the CU Smokefree Alliance.  Look for it in the paper this week!

I've listed below the weeks over the next three months.  We need to submit a letter per week to the News-Gazette, and we need volunteers to sign up for every week.  This is not to say more can't be done, or others won't be generated spontaneously, but this will keep the pressure on. 

We also need to distribute our arguments across letters so that no single letter has to have every argument, but all arguments are covered.  After the dates (which I'll fill in as people post a reply to the list (cu-smokefree at cu-smokefree.org), I've listed various suggested topics.  Please provide me with your name and briefly describe the topic you'd like to cover in your letter.

As we receive replies, I'll keep our list updated.

Here is my first stab at such letter coordination (as usual, feel free to give me your comments):

Week beginning: 

September 13 – George – done!

September 20 – Scott (“CU Smokefree”), general info about CU Smokefree Alliance: Secondhand smoke, number of smokefree places, business success, supporters.

September 27 – Andor Kiss – visiting smoke-filled places

October 4

October 11

October 18

October 25

November 1

November 8

November 15

November 22

November 29

December 6

TOPICS

Visiting smoking vs. smokefree places in town (“I don’t patronize smoking places”)

Visitors from other smokefree places to C/U (“My friends from CA were APPALLED!!)

No harm to business bottom, some profits (“Several studies indicate no harm to business”)

Experience from other places – success (“Just went to Fla, the bars were PACKED!!”)

Harmful effects of second-hand smoke (Probably Health Dept or ALA)

The “choice” of asthmatics (From an asthmatic: “I’m barred from entry”)

Smokefree Restaurant/ Bar  choices in Champaign/Urbana (the numbers)

The harmful effects on bar/restaurant workers (“I work in a bar and I have to breathe
”)

Musicians who  have to deal with second-hand smoke.

Champaign’s bone-headed city council members & Mayor (save if for late in the campaign)

Champaign’s sorry political process (ie: 5 votes necessary; save for later)