Talk:Smokefree Ohio

Relocating material from page. The links are non-specific, much is opinion and I struggle the evidence that Smokefree Ohio is an ACS front group. --Bob Burton 04:15, 21 November 2006 (EST)

The so called grass roots smokefree Ohio is a Front Group for the American Cancer Society. The leader of the pack is Tracy E Sabetta she is a paid employee of the American Cancer Society (source) http://www.jlec-olig.state.oh.us/  but a lobbyist as well! Of course this was a smoke screen ,also why did the American Cancer Society not just admit it was their issue? Other lobbyist listed at the web site are Susan M Jagers Lisa V Frericks Neil S Clark Lisa V Rankin

The smokefree Ohio gang tried unsuccessfully to get Health Director Dr. J. Nick Baird to endorse issue 5 but he has stayed on the sidelines. Baird said through a spokesman that his department can't get involved, citing a 2004 advisory from the governor's office prohibiting state employees from using state resources to advocate for a ballot issue. I think The AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY NEEDS A WATCH DOG along with the movements of the other names posted at http://www.jlec-olig.state.oh.us/

You will notice the smokefree Ohio does not mention the law suites filed against it were ligiamate law suits with merit. Nor does smokefree state how much of the millions they spent came out of the BIG TOBBACO SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT funds. Governor Taft was aldso a invite to a golf Outing Hosted by smokefree Ohio and announced his endoresment of the smokfree Ohio ISSUE 5 Ballot. I think that the American Cancer Society has again damaged what they believe is a undamageable NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION. For further information about the American Cancer Society visit http://www.preventcancer.com/index.htm

Bob the link to the Government wesite of Ohio is not of an excat website address, the data can only be subtracted by searching the website where the results are brought up on the same web site address. You must

Well Bob how do you figure a so called grass roots movement has a Employee of the American Cancer Society as its head? Not only that but a registered lobbyist as well? Bob smokers do donate to the American Cancer Society, private clubs also donate. The issue 5 would take away their business so you think the American Cancer Society would openly use their name instead of a front group? Excuse me Bob but the government web site is not my site it is the GOVERNMENTS. The links are specific! Of course with all of the negitive attacks on smokeless Ohio by the smokefree Ohio I'd say that fair is fair. I am not the PR person of the AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY but when I post a State of Ohio web site that is public record that is as specific as it gets. Do I see prejudice here? ASk smokefree Ohio how much money there so called grass roots coalition spent on this campaign. I'd say more money than one could hardly imagin by a so called grass roots movement! I might be wrong here but is not a front group a group doing work for a larger organization that wants to remain out of the spotlights? What kind of evidence do you want? You let smokefree Ohio claim smokeless Ohio was a front group based on what? The say so of smokefree Ohio? I am not affiliated with smokeless Ohio but I see problems with smokefree Ohio, trying to undercut smokeless Ohio, when smokefree Ohio is the same. Post by Billy Whyde Nov 22 2006.


 * Billy, a couple of points:
 * a) I think we have a basic disagreement over what constitutes a front group. If a tobacco company establishes and funds a group called Smokeless Ohio that seems to me to be pretty clearly a front group - it is a company using a non-profit front and the name implies it is against smoking. If the ACS created a group Smokers Ohio then you would have more of an argument;
 * b) I'm sure there are valid criticisms of ACS but claiming Smokefree Ohio is an ACS front group doesn't seem to stack up. The name is clear that it is for tobacco control and on the supporters page the ACS is clearly listed. So I can't see that there is any deception there.
 * c) when it comes to linking i should have explained that we are that contributors link directly to the relevant page, not just the general home page where readers have to go find the reference for themselves. See http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=SourceWatch:References

Cheers --Bob Burton 22:24, 21 November 2006 (EST)

The website http://www.jlec-olig.state.oh.us/ does not give seperate website addresses in the searchable mode, one must click on the AGENT EMPLOYER SEARCH in the middle of the page. new page comes up same website address type in employer American Cancer society hit search a new window shows those above as Lobbyist same website address no other way! I dont think I can be responsible for how a Government web site is made so I think a exception here should be granted in all fairness. Now we had Smokefree Ohio as the organization for promting ISSUE 5 and claiming to be a grass roots coalilation, Take note

8. It's not grassroots lobbying if a charity urges the public, through the media or other means, to vote for or against a ballot initiative or referendum. (It's direct lobbying, not grassroots, because the public in this situation becomes the legislature. Lobbying the public through the media is therefore considered a direct lobbying expenditure, not a grassroots expenditure. This is an advantage because charities are permitted to spend more on direct lobbying than on grassroots lobbying.) http://www.oano.org/policy.asp?page=LOB02 AS a matter of fact Smokefree Ohio does not show up on the IRS Charities Listing! Hmmm now thats strange, explanation please? Cheers Billy