Big Tobacco has struck again, but this time organizations like the American Cancer Society and the teen group “Just Eliminate Lies,” are being sucked into its influence.

The city of Ames is facing a lawsuit from seven local businesses against the citywide smoking ban, initiated Aug. 1. An eighth business is trying to join others in the suit and they are all being backed by Philip Morris.

Classic Big Tobacco.

But smoking ban supporters have some local heavy-hitting names supporting their cause too, such as Attorney General Tom Miller, Sen. Johnie Hammond, D-Ames, and the American Cancer Society.

But if the American Cancer Society is supporting the smoking ban, how are they being influenced by Big Tobacco bigwigs like Philip Morris?

Last November Ames City Council members agreed to review the first smoking ban proposal after community members expressed concern about the 24-hour restriction.

After considering residents’ concerns, council members decided to revise the ban, allowing smoking in the restricted restaurants and bars after 8:30 p.m.

The American Cancer Society, which had been backing the council, was not happy.

The Nov. 14, 2000, Daily article, “Council agrees to consider new ban,” explains the organization’s position clearly.

“Natalie Battles, community advocacy coordinator for the American Cancer Society, said she does not support the proposed compromise because she said it does not protect everyone’s rights.

`We’re interested in protecting the rights of adults, children and restaurant workers,’ she said.”

Last November the American Cancer Society didn’t want any smoking to be allowed in any of the restaurants at any time. They would not accept anything less. So they stopped supporting the ban.

Then the lawsuit came with Philip Morris backing the local businesses by paying for legal fees.

You’ve seen the commercials on TV, heard them on the radio, read them in the newspaper.

The American Cancer Society, and JEL for that matter, hate Philip Morris passionately.

So they’ve come back to Ames, to fight on the side of a smoking ban they said wasn’t good enough about a year ago.

Compromising their original position to save face against Big Tobacco.

If the American Cancer Society and JEL didn’t think the smoking ban was good enough a year ago, Philip Morris shouldn’t be all it takes to change their minds.

Solid, consistent stances should be stronger than that.

editorialboard: Andrea Hauser, Tim Paluch, Michelle Kann, Zach Calef, Omar Tesdell