Lance Armstrong, Gov. Doyle, Hundreds Meet at Rally to Support a Smokefree Wisconsin

MADISON -- Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong spoke in Madison on Tuesday, encouraging Wisconsin legislators to cross the finish line by passing legislation to make Wisconsin smokefree.

More than 1,000 supporters of clean indoor air packed the exhibit hall at Monona Terrace, elbow-to-elbow, standing-room only.

"I urge Wisconsin legislators to support the health of their voters and pass this life-saving bill," Armstrong said. He shared his experience fighting cancer, expressing hope that one day the state and entire nation would eventually stamp out the leading preventable cause of cancer.

Armstrong pointed out that survey after survey has shown about 70 percent of Wisconsinites want smoke-free workplaces. He said the issue is a matter of health, and the legislature is morally obligated to save lives.

Gov. Jim Doyle pointed out that the statewide smokefree-indoor-air proposals have bi-partisan support, led by Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison, sponsor of SB 150, and Rep. Steve Wieckert, R-Appleton, sponsor of AB 834. Both proposals have been approved out of committee but neither has been scheduled to a vote on the floor of either house.

"When you have legislators of both parties who support it, it seems to me the simple thing is just put it out on the floor of both houses and let 's take it to a vote," Doyle said.

Doyle joked that Armstrong was willing to challenge opponents of smokefree air to a race, with the winner getting to decide the outcome of the debate.

Doyle pointed out that smokefree air will help smokers to quit. He heralded the record number of calls to the Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line since New Year's, a sign smokers want help with quitting. He asserted that even more smokers would quit if there was a statewide smokefree-indoor-air law, and the state owes it to them to offer help with quitting by continuing to support and fund the Quit Line and other quit-smoking programs.

Doyle and Armstrong said they were impressed by the turnout of citizens from across the state who attended the rally in Madison. They were flanked on the stage by teens who have pledged to be tobacco-free.

More than 1,000 supporters of clean indoor air listened to Doyle and Armstrong.