Is what we "think" we know actually true?

Well, today was the launch of the new stand campaign. Go to debunkify.com and see all about it. It's really actually cool... And YES Molly this is especially for you.

Now you know what all those crazy "DEBUNKIFY" billboards are all about. It's a new campaign about dispelling social norms or popular myths out in the world. Reframing the mindset of Ohioans, around the truths about tobacco. OK, so I wouldn't normally go out and rant and rave about my ill-feelings toward tobacco, but what we and these youth are trying to do, is actually pretty cool.

To quote a research respondent, "You know when I walk across campus, I feel like I see everyone around me smoking. I always notice those 7 folks huddled outside the dorms, but I never really even think about or notice the other 300 that are inside and may not be smokers."

POINT BEING, smoking is a marked behavior. You notice smokers. You don't notice non-smokers, so culture accepts smoking as being "okay" because they think more people smoke than actually do.

Take this example... You walk into a restaurant, and you get asked one question with a 50/50 decision... "Smoking or Non-" Automatically, you are driven to the assumption that, A. This is okay, B. About half the people will choose smoking, and C. You aren't subjected to smoke in the non-smoking section.

All of which are false, if you ask me.

A. This is okay? - - - NO WAY. Why should 78% of Ohio be forced to breath cancer-causing agents because somebody in the other 22% thinks their right to smoke is more important than my right to breath clean air. If the guy in the pool next to you pee-ed, would you be okay with that? EVEN if they were on the other side of the pool? What if a restaurant had asbestos, another carcinogen, would you want to go there? NO, it would be closed down until it was removed. This is one I just don't get.

B. About half the people will choose smoking - - - As a matter of fact, there is usually difficulty in filling a smoking section. Just ask Applebees.

C. You aren't subjected to smoke in the non-smoking section - - - ventilation systems DON'T work. Bartenders are killing themselves LITERALLY because they want to make the good money available at that job. RIDICULOUS. Sitting in the "non-smoking" section for two hours is like smoking 1-1/2 cigarettes yourself. It's a fact... a proven scientific study. It's also proven that a smoky bar is basically worse than sucking on a summer rush hour tailpipe, sans the CO2.

How is this legal? It's on the ballot in Nov. Vote... the right way. And if you have an argument, I'd LOVE to hear it, truly...

These kids are doing the right thing. They are doing it for their future and ours. It's really cool to be a part of it.

I'm in a geeky, sentimental mood. Can you tell? I am also tired. :-) It' been a long day. Check out the media coverage.