An ex-smoker herself, Kathy Schubach watched her husband Ian deteriorate to a “skeleton” of his former self.

He died seven months after his devastating diagnosis.

“He'd been a reasonably heavy smoker until he was 48, then he quit,” Ms Schubach said.

“He used to smoke roll-your-owns - about 20 a day.” 

Ms Schubach said the diagnosis was devastating as he had “never looked better” in his life.

“In 2007, he had a temperature and they treated him with antibiotics for a lung infection and it didn’t work.”

Further scans revealed a tumour “the size of a fist" on his left lung and cancerous growths in his oesophagus. 

“We were mentally and physically stuffed at that time,” Ms Schubach said. 

He died in 2008 – leaving behind his wife, three children and grandson.

“We had so many plans – so much were looking forward to.” 

When Ms Schubach sees smokers in Wagga’s streets, it makes her angry.

“I just want to take it off them – and say if you saw someone who died from lung cancer you'd realise.

“He had the cruelest death.” 

Ms Schubach said she supports Councillor Greg Conkey’s passed motion to ban smoking from Station Place to Knight’s Meats.

“They ban alcohol so I don’t see why they can’t ban smoking. Smoking causes so much illness.” 

Cr Conkey has advocated for tougher smoking restrictions for more than 30-years and said Wagga should continue to lead the nation in eradicating smoking in many public places.

“There is no safe amount of smoking – even one cigarette can cause harm.

“Smokers have the right to smoke but non-smokers also have the right to not to breathe in smoke in public places.” 

Cr Conkey said he was worried that passive smoking would effect people who chose not to smoke.

“There are people – pregnant women and children – they should not be exposed.

Cr Conkey’s motion was passed and has been submitted for review. 

Ms Schubach quit smoking because her son pleaded with her.

“He told me I would die.” She has urged others to do the same.