Organizations advocating public health and smoke-free dining have rejoined the local smoking ordinance battle.

Sunday, the American Cancer Society ended a week-long ad campaign in 10 daily newspapers across the state.

Natalie Battles, state tobacco control director of Iowa for the American Cancer Society said the association initiated the campaign “in response to Philip Morris admitting to financing businesses in Ames in an injunction against the smoke-free ordinance.”

“You can’t underestimate the power of the tobacco giants,” George Belitsos, chairman of Ames Tobacco Task Force said. “We really appreciate having Iowa groups defend our effort.”

He said the principal benefit of the support from the American Cancer Society, Just Eliminate Lies and other groups, helps in passing along information to the public.

“It helps us to . point out the bottom line for everyone is public health,” he said. “Up to now, it’s been a local and community effort. Now, it’s moved to a whole different level.”

Battles said several people have called the American Cancer Society asking for more information on secondhand smoke and its effects.

The organizations have re-entered after an eight-month absence.

Belitsos said the organizations yanked their support when members of the Ames City Council agreed to allow exceptions to the all-out smoking ban by allowing business with less than 10 percent of income from food sales to have designated smoking areas.

“The Task Force decided to go ahead and accept [the compromises],” Belitsos said. “[The organizations] no longer had anything to do with it because it didn’t go far enough.”

Battles said the organization “disagreed with the red light-green light policy,” because it still threatened the health of restaurant workers and non-smoking patrons.

“We only support smoke-free ordinances that truly protect public health,” Battles said.

She said the American Cancer Society continues to have “a strong [and] very comprehensive presence in Ames.”

Belitsos said he believes they have re-entered the fight for two reasons.

One is the involvement of Philip Morris USA.

The other is eight other Iowa cities who are “putting their ordinances on hold.”

The cities include Iowa City, Fort Dodge, Cedar Rapids, Boone, Nevada and Decorah.

“It’s brought the whole state to a halt,” Belitsos said. “Those are people on hold who are waiting for this.

But there are others in the state who believe in smoke-free dining ordinances.”

Battles also said the organization will continue to work with the city.

“We hope to help the Ames Tobacco Task Force however we can,” she said. “We want to continue to educate the community.”