MADISON, Wis. -- Anti-smoking advocates sent a message on the Capitol steps Thursday, telling lawmakers "It's Time" to make Wisconsin a smoke-free state.

The American Cancer Society's "Great American Smokeout" seeks to provide support for smokers trying to quit.

"And it is time. Wisconsin is falling behind its neighbors. As you know now, Minnesota went smoke free Oct. 1, and Illinois is going to join them on Jan. 1, 2008. And we know that 71 percent of Wisconsinites want a smoke-free state," said Alison Prange, Wisconsin government relations director for the American Cancer Society.

A total of 22 states and Washington, D.C., have statewide smoking bans, WISC-TV reported.