The holidays are here and this Christmas Eve I won't be nestled all snug in my bed with visions of sugarplums dancing in my head. I'll be dreaming a very different dream of healthy Michigan residents and employees, of a healthy economy, of a decrease in deaths caused by cancer and heart disease -- a dream of a smoke-free Michigan.
'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the House (of Representatives), not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. House Bill 4163 had been sent out by the committee chair and there was a great yell of triumph from the Campaign for Smokefree Air.
Children with asthma were wishing for the best, of visits to restaurants with clean air in their chests. And mamma in her apron could work for a living, without the worry of cancer the secondhand smoke was giving.
When out in the Capitol lobby, there arose such a clatter, the people all wondered just what was the matter? Ohio has done it, and Illinois, too, so many states were smoke-free, why is it so hard for Michigan to do?
Then it became clear, there was smoke in the air, from opponents who warned lawmakers, "You'd better not dare." "We have," they said, "our own science for you; just listen to us, so you'll know what to do."
But it wasn't enough, and CSA found their excuses easy to snuff. In a flash, we showed them the truth: smoke-free air is needed at every work site -- from office, to factory, to bar and to booth.
The people of Michigan called out in the night, "please Mr. Lawmaker, please make it right!"
We want what they have -- in Arizona, Arkansas, California and Colorado. Why can't we be like Connecticut, Florida, Georgia and Idaho? From Louisiana to Maine, in Maryland, Minnesota, Montana -- why they've even bet on smoke-free air out in Nevada! New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, the Dakotas -- residents are protected and smoke-free, just like the folks in Oregon, Rhode Island and Tennessee. Out west in Utah, up north in Vermont, in rainy Washington and political D.C. -- they've figured it out, so why, why, oh why can't we?
So the lawmakers voted and did the right thing, they proved to constituents that they had been listening.
But then I awoke with a terrible start; I grabbed for my pillow and clutched at my heart. For I had only been dreaming of a smoke-free Michigan, and I know those who want it will have to try again and again.
You see, the House has now passed it, but the Senate's no cinch. We hope that it's not our own Christmas Grinch. So write to your lawmakers and tell them to vote; tell them you're watching and you're taking note. It's good for me and for you, good for health and business too; be you naughty or nice, a smoke-free Michigan is the right thing to do!
About the author: Dr. Ronald M. Davis is president of the American Medical Association and director of the Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention at the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit.
About the forum: The forum is a periodic column of opinion written by Record-Eagle readers in their areas of interest or expertise. Submissions of 500 words or less may be made by e-mailing letters@record-eagle.com. Please include biographical information and a photo.
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