Chippewa Falls City Government will soon be facing the fight that the state has decided to back away from. Jennifer Lenbom wants the Chippewa Falls City Council to "clear the air". Lenbom, an R.N. with the Chippewa County Department of Public Health, is the coordinator of the Chippewa Valley Tobacco-Free Coalition.

"The group claims of the 510 average annual deaths in the county, 83 — which amounts to 16 percent — are due to smoking." How was this number derived? Did they have a cigarette in their hand? Were their illnesses caused by nicotine overdose? Respiratory ailments? We live in one of the harshest climates in the world; maybe we should ban outdoor movement in the winter time as well.

Death being the end of the life cycle in all terms, such laws may reduce health care costs in the short term but do not calculate for the increased health care cost of an ever ageing population.

The smoking ban is growing many faces. They are ALL carrying the issues in the wrong direction. There is one correct fix to this:

Outlaw smoking! Of course in the twisted and demented sense of today’s government this would never happen because of one simple concept; hypocrisy! Smoking is bad for you, but we already spent your tax money so keep up the good work!

There is another "catch phrase" that stumps me; Involuntary smoking. Don’t come in my tavern! My customers smoke! It is a matter of personal choice that they are choosing to exercise. If I choose to smoke or not is totally up to me, not a decision for any level of government to regulate on a product the Federal Government deemed totally legal. Outlaw smoking if you want a smoking ban. The general public should be happy that smoking is in a controlled environment. Stay the hell out if you don’t want the smell, secondhand smoke, or otherwise?!?

Enforcement of a smoking ban?? Good luck! You’ve already created a budget shortfall by eliminating a HUGE portion of sales and property tax revenue, now you want law enforcement to carry the burden of writing tickets to those who choose to exercise a personal choice?

Economic impact:

Take away 50% of the taverns, cut the others’ revenue by 50%. Now who’s carrying the hole you just created in your budget? Alright all you non-smokers, get that wallet and checkbook out, credit cards will be accepted as well!

On January 1 2008 Wisconsin is enacting a cigarette tax rate increase. In its present form, the tax on smoking raises revenues that significantly outweigh the costs of smoking to healthcare as a source of net income to the Government. How is the new money going to be spent?

In closing, I think this issue has only started to face its battle, with so many lines being drawn. You want to ban smoking? Outlaw cigarettes, let see how that legal battle goes.