The American Cancer Society and Its Insane All-or-Nothing Approach to the Legislature

Yesterday a state-wide smoking ban failed in a State Senate Committee 8-1.  Part of the reason it failed is that the American Cancer Society lobbyist and other ban advocates began arguing against the bill because it contained some exceptions, such as far bars, private clubs, casinos and nursing homes.   Today the Indianapolis Star opined:

A vote against the anti-smoking measure may not have been any more of a defeat than a vote in favor, considering how watered-down the House version is.

Really?  Those exceptions probably don't amount to 10% of the public places in this state.

Rep. Charlie Brown (D-Gary), who has sponsored the bill year after year, was, quite rightly, furious at the all or nothing approach of smoking ban lobbyists.  As he pointed out, the legislature is about compromise.   Compromising now and getting 90% of what you want in no way jeopardizes coming back later to get the remaining 10%.  In fact, having a law in place makes it easier to do that not harder.

As Rep. Brown notes apparently the American Cancer Society and other smoking ban advocates fail to understand how the legislative process works. People's views change over time and legislators' votes reflect that.

The arrogant, condescending, all-or nothing legislative approach of smoking ban advocates may have permanently turned off the legislators to considering a state-wide ban.  That will probably make advocates of the ban happen because they seem more interested in complaining than actually accomplishing anything at the legislature.