Believe it or not, your vote is your most powerful instrument of change.Far too many smokers don't bother to vote because they believe that sincethey belong to a minority, it would be a waste of time and effort.

Nothing could be further from the truth. At 25% of the adult population,American smokers outnumber Jews (2%), Gays (6%) and Blacks (12%), yet thelast three groups have won rights written into law. Why? They organized,they lobbied and they voted. So far, smokers haven't done those things,which is why they are where they are today: outside.

Block votes are powerful. If smokers organized into a voting block,politicians would be falling all over themselves to win those votes.But if you don't vote, you have no right to complain about the way youare treated.

Most papers reserve a section for Letters to the Editor. They publish allkinds of opinions, including those that contradict their own. Letters docompete for space, however, and there are a number of ways to improve yourchances of being published.

1. Check your grammar and spelling. Use a dictionary. Get a friend toproofread.
2. Most papers limit letters to about 300 words, so make your points asconcisely as possible.
3. Be timely. Don't respond to an article or issue that's weeks old.
4. Cite references where appropriate.
5. Read the letters page to find out the requirements for submission. Thesetypically include your name, address and phone number. That's also whereyou'll likely find how to address letters intended for publication. If youcan't find it in the paper, you can call them.
6. Finally, be aware that many letters get edited for length, readability andtaste.

Letters to representatives are similar to letters to editors. Whilepoliticians don't impose a word limit, they do have their own time limitand long letters are less likely to be read. In many cases, the legislators'volume of mail prevents them from reading it all; it gets screened byassistants or staff, and only certain pieces get passed on. Even if yourletter is only read by an aide, however, it gets counted, just like a vote.An accurate tally is kept on the number of letters on each side of everyissue.

Many constituents prefer to FAX a letter rather than mail it. FAXes arefaster; with mail, you get to control the paper and appearance. Take yourpick.

One of the most important avenues of expression available to us is the CityCouncil Hearing. City Councils usually have several public hearings on anissue before they may legally pass a new ordinance. Anyone may speak, andmany do, though in comparison to elections the number is small. Youropinions carry, proportionally, much more weight in a hearing with ahundred speakers than in an election with half a million voters.

In order to let everyone have their say, speakers are normally given atime limit, usually three minutes. While memorized speeches make the bestimpression, few can manage that. Most people read from prepared text ornotes.

Public speaking is not for everybody. You need confidence in order to standup and speak in front of so many people, not to mention the Mayor andCouncil Members themselves. If you get so nervous in such circumstances thatyou can't speak, then this is not for you. But a certain amount ofnervousness is inevitable: many speakers show it, so you'll have plentyof company.

There are a number of Smokers' Rights organizations you can join. Most areinexpensive or free, but if you can afford it, find one that puts money togood use (such as advertising or legal challenges) and contribute what youcan.

The United Smokers Association
P.O.Box 1234
Rocky Mount, NC
800-WE-SMOKE

National Smoker's Alliance
901 N. Washington St., Suite 400
Alexandria, VA 22314
800-224-3322

American Smokers Alliance
P.O. Box 189
Bellvue, Co 8051

In addition, there are frequently State or local organizations in your area.Call 1-800-333-8683, a Smokers' Rights Hotline organized by R.J. Reynolds,and they will put you in touch with one, if it exists.

Form your own Smokers' Rights chapter. If it's successful, you may laterwish to affiliate with others. Some tips that may help:

1. Keep the organizing committee as small as possible. The more people thereare, the more there is to argue about and the longer it takes to reach adecision.

2. Define your goals clearly. Whatever it is you plan to do, be it writingeditors and politicians, drawing up petitions and getting them signed,getting smokers registered to vote, make it the mission of the group andstick to it. If you don't you'll get bogged down in endless committeearguments about what to do next. In the ensuing melee, the purpose of thegroup, i.e. to promote smokers' rights, may get forgotten.

3. Be realistic about money. While most organizing groups democraticallywant to make membership available to as many people as possible - cheap,in other words, remember that most meaningful measures are going to costmoney. It is better to have a smaller group that can afford to accomplishsomething of substance than a big one that is broke. For $5 a year, mostgroups' idea of "fair and reasonable" dues, you can afford to send everymember a newsletter once a month. Which accomplishes exactly nothing besidesputting you in the newsletter publication business, eating up all of yourspare time and effectively removing you from the struggle for smokers'rights.

4. Network. Don't try to do it all yourself. Ferret out other Rights Groupsand stay in touch with them. You can keep each other motivated, come up withmore good ideas and coordinate your activities for greater impact.

Don't patronize establishments that don't permit smoking. Don't go tononsmoking restaurants. Don't go to nonsmoking sports stadia and arenas.Don't go to movies such as Waterworld that are anti-smoking. Don't watchanti-smoking TV shows like Seinfeld.

In short, don't give your good money to people who hold you in contempt.And for maximum effect, let them all know that they have lost your business.Talk to, phone and write to managers, sponsors and corporations.

In order to challenge a law, you must have what is called "standing": youmust be in a position where you can claim that you are adversely affected bythe law that you are challenging. If you wish to challenge a smoking ban,you may have sufficient standing as a smoker. A class of smokers, however,has much more standing. The more smokers you get to join as plaintiffs, thebetter the chance that your suit will not be dismissed outright.

The main obstacle to challenging laws is the money it takes to pay thelawyers. You could organize a group of affluent smokers. Or you couldseek to organize groups of affected businesses, such as bars, restaurantsand hotels that can fund legal challenges to overturn laws. If you're rich,sue them yourself. If not, consider the American Civil LibertiesUnion.