VOTE!!!

Listen to Candidates in their own words! Now listen to Democrats--pretty spooky! They're effectively saying, "Either the states do what we want or we'll jump up and down making fools of ourselves to see who can be the biggest dictator to force them to do what we want!" And remember that the whole "health issue" is a SCAM! So, the announcer who attributes hundreds of thousands of deaths to tobacco--notice that the numbers are constantly changing--is either a complete fool or being paid to falsely skew the question. Listen to how much Huckabee wants to "condition people's behaviour".

Boris Johnson Room 101 Smoking
The only thing they didn't mention was that, after smoking bans were implemented on airplanes, the manufacturers downgraded the ventilations sytems. Passengers and crews started getting sick. Now, we're all just sorta "used to" worse air quality on planes.

"Frequent Fliers Saying Fresh Air Is Awfully Thin at 30,000 Feet", The New York Times, June 6, 1993.

"Study claims aircraft air quality causes DVT"

Abolish smoking bans and bring back GOOD air quality!
Also Pertinent:
Mortality from Cancer and Other Causes among Airline Cabin Attendants in Germany, 1960-1997," American Journal of Epidiemiology, Vol. 156, No. 6, which states on p. 564,
We found a rather remarkably low SMR [Standardized Mortality Ratio] for lung cancer among female cabin attendants and no increase for male cabin attendants, indicating that smoking and exposure to passive smoking may not play an important role in mortality in this group. Smoking during airplane flights was permitted in Germany until the mid-1990s, and smoking is still not banned on all charter flights.
This study came from the Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Public Health-WHO Collaborating Center, University, Bielefeld, 33501 Bielefeld, Germany. Incidently, this is not the only on secondhand smoke and was suppressed; another large WHO study was eventually brought to mainstream media, and both the study's results and the politics to suppress it are more than interesting.
FAA bans use of anti-smoking drug by pilots (Channel 9 News, Colorado, 5/21/2008)Quote:
Pfizer, in a statement, reaffirmed its stand on the drug's safety and said that label already contains safety warnings about driving or operating machinery.
"It is important to understand the limitations of spontaneous adverse event reporting," the company said. "Often these reports lack sufficient medical information and/or have confounding factors that prevent a meaningful assessment of causality."
WebMistress: It's amazing. These drug companies encourage researchers to ignore the most basic tenets of scientifc research in antismoking "studies" when people get cancer fifty years after being exposed to SHS/ETS, but getting seizures, suicidal tendencies or any of the other serious symptoms/sideeffects only days after taking a drug isn't sufficient because they ahven't checked for confounders. Unbelievable. How could anyone trust drug-funded research? Tobacco never corrupted science the way that pharma has. Never.
After all of this, there are still fools who believe that disposable lighters are now off the forbidden list at airport security because tobacco lobbied for it. Seriously. Do you think that might be because the airlines are in deep financial trouble after ticking off a large percentage of their customer base for decades? Maybe? Naw, let's blame Big Tobacco, despite the fact that tobacco companies have been forbidden to lobby or advertise for many years now.

A big warm welcome to Wispofsmoke! The purpose of this website is to fill a niche in c-space for people with healthy attitudes toward themselves and others, which includes most people. So, here is a place to party hearty! Enjoy yourself and become empowered! Please find comfort, healthy suggestions, humor and empowerment on the pages offered here. Sadly, our lives also include very vocal people who are not so socially and psychologically fit. To counter this unhealthy influence, welcome messages are specially written for special people interested in becoming wisp-ers--for People Who Smoke, People Who Don't Smoke and People Who Are Recovering from ASDS.

Many, many thanks to wisp-ers from all over the world for sharing their time, ideas, thoughts, poetry, perseverance, good manners, links, resources and so much more!!! This one's for you mes amis!!!

As they say-- Let's Boogie! Or, as a friend from the web put it, "Get ready to rrrrrrrumble!

*** GOOD NEWS CORNER! ***

Smokers' Rights Calendar

Tangenti in ospedale, Sirchia condannato a 3 anni di carcere (In English, Italian Antismoking Hero Gets Three Years!)

Check out what the House of Lords has to say about the UK smoking ban, from the Select Committee on Economic Affairs Fifth Report (CHAPTER 5: Risk Management—Two Cases):

76. The recently introduced bill to ban smoking in public places illustrates a number of worrying features connected with the formulation and promotion of legislation[49]. The stated objective of the bill was to ban smoking at work and in enclosed public places, because passive smoking imposes a significant health risk on workers and others exposed to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS).

77. In order to evaluate the operation of risk policy in this area, we considered a range of evidence, much of which cast doubt on the stated rationale of the legislation.
It gets even more interesting and is a strongly recommended good read. Additional links are here: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200506/ldselect/ldeconaf/183/18309.htm and http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/5053350.stm .

Beijing's Olympic smoking ban stubbed out amid backlash

New ad campaign seeks to boost lagging Vegas tourism since smoking ban took effect Quote at end of article:

I think the end is near for the self-serving, Nicoderm funded, smoking ban era......if it doesn't bankrupt us all first.

Hypocrisy

The gross hypocrisy of antismokers is always astounding. From accusing some scientific studies of funding bias while raking 100 times more from PhRMA and Big Tobacco Control for their own studies, to passing smoking bans that devastate business owners and trample the US Constitution while screaming for millions (or hundreds of millions) to fund their own projects. But the hypocrisy of politicians is more absurd than maddening. The very politicians who pass smoking bans refuse to impose the same upon themselves!

Smoke ban PM lights up on plane

European Parliament Abandons Smoking Ban

And guess who’s got the best (only?) Club in town that allows smoking? Will it be the Democrats or the Republicans? Guess you’ll have to find out in Boehner's Favorite Smoke-Filled Room.

Legislators should follow the law too -- The (Sevierville) Mountain Press, although written by a rather hysterical and uninformed antismoker, it still highlights the hypocrisy of legislators who pass smoking bans.

SOUTH CAROLINA

The South Carolina Primary has been held- Get good information from SmokerPower's SC General Election page on the voting records and stands of current candidates with details the races of importance left to be decided in November. (The results of the primaries are available there.) Never doubt that youir vote counts, Freedom Lovers! Look and listen to what's happened in the UK (Anti smoking government gets thrashed at the polls), Ohio and so many other places! Get to it wisp-ers! Your freedom, health and economy depend on your votes.

MAINE

WebMistress: A friend just forwarded the following:
Some Councilors will let the online poll dictate their vote.........VOTE NO TO THE ORDINANCE WORLDWIDE.......www.biddefordmaine.org and send an email to the City Councilors @ contactallcouncilors@biddefordmaine.org and the Mayor @ jtwomey@biddefordmaine.org. Please send this link out to all on your email lists that value individual and most importantly smoker's rights. www.biddefordmaine.org

Bob Mills
City Councilor, Biddeford, Maine, USA
www.millsofmaine.us

"Early this week, another option was added to the survey by Councilor Bob Mills, which asked residents if they preferred to not implement a ban on smoking at all. Mills said he is “adamantly opposed to the poll, which may dictate city policy.” He noted anyone may vote on the Web site, even if they are not Biddeford residents. To participate in the survey, visit Biddeford’s Web site, www.biddefordmaine.org. The June 17 meeting may also be viewed on the Web site by clicking the archived meeting calendar.

Mills said he plans to request a public forum during the July 1 council meeting to allow residents to express concerns or support for the ordinance. “I am going to be asking for, and sure I will receive, backing for a forum,” he said, adding there should have been an opportunity for the public to comment prior to the ordinance going to the council. “I am not of the opinion, nor do I support, passing things without public input.”

To view whole article click here:
http://blog.biddefordsacooobcourier.com/2008/06/27/survey-smoking-ban-favored-june-26-2008.aspx
_________________
Bob Mills

OHIO

Commission Rejects Health Department Request For Funds, WCJB TV20, Local News, June 20, 2008)

Anti-smoking fund in ashes (The Enquirer, Cincinnati dot com, Monday, April 14, 2008)
WebMistress: I really like this particular article. There are several comment-worthy notes.
However, my favorite...

Don W. McClure, chief executive officer of the Ohio chapter of the American Cancer Society, fumed this month about the raid on the tobacco foundation, saying: "The Ohio General Assembly and governor after governor have never seen the foundation as anything more than a convenient ATM."
For decades, antismokers have been feeding at the tobacco trough. LOL, now, they're in a snit because politicians are treating them the same way...with one big difference in that antismokers didn't make the money, tobacco companies did. The hypocrisy of rAntis never ceases to astound me.
I will say, though, that the whole thing seems very...appropriate to me. The antismokers have sucked the life out of the economy. First, the smoking ban hits hospitality AND all of the tangential industries hard; see http://www.smokersclub.com/video/srcommercials.html . Then, to make up for economic loss, they convince legislators to increase taxes on tobacco. (I'm assuming that happened in Ohio because it's part of the antismoking playbook.) Now that the economy is a mess, the governor wants to create an economic stimulus...using antismoking money!

Ohio lawmakers want to close down anti-smoking agency (Dispatch Politics, Tuesday, April 29, 2008 1:18 PM )

Lawmakers to abolish Ohio Tobacco Prevention Foundation (Medical and science News, April 29, 2008 20:36PM)

Cleveland Plain Dealer: Ohio Anti-Tobacco Group Nearly Alone in Money Battle (Ohio Tobacco Research & Evaluation Center, 4/22/2008)

Ohio's "Smoke Free" Efforts Prove Costly by Gerry Ricciutti (WKBN 27 First News Youngstown Ohio, FOX 17 62)

Tobacco money: State bill would end agency on smoking (Toledo Blade, Wednesday, April 30, 2008)

Sen. Bill Seitz (R., Cincinnati), author of a similar Senate bill, said the action is a response to a feeling among some that the foundation has become "a rogue agency."
"It's not the remedy I would have proposed," he said as he stood outside a Statehouse entrance smoking a cigarette. "I would have said we should vote to eliminate the statewide smoking ban. That's the nuclear option."

Hamilton Co. Spends $42,000 To Get $200 In Smoking Fines: Ohio Has Collected Only $30,000 Statewide (WLWT, April 30, 2008)

AUDIO Smoking Ban Costs Akron (Akron News Now, April 30, 2008)

Ohio House passes bill to raid state's anti-tobacco fund: Proposal to redirect $230M to stimulus package expected to clear Senate (Toledo Blade - Ohio News, Thursday, May 1, 2008), quote (emphasis added):

"Hopefully, this body will recognize that punishment of a renegade state agency should take a back seat to doing what is in the best interest of the citizens of this great state," said Mike Renner, the foundation's executive director.
WebMistress: Notice that even this cheif antismoker refers to the anti-tobacco foundation as a "renegade state agency"! His comment about what's good for the state is unbelievable. He knows nothing about what's good for Ohio--his own foundation has pushed a statewide smoking ban that has cost $64 million in hospitality, not including food and beer...and bingo halls...and tangential industries...and worker moral...and... Yep, Ohio has wised-up and figured out that's it's never been about health...it's always been about money and control. Good for Ohio!

NEVADA

Nevada Taverns Refuse to Obey Nevada Smoking ban (Las Vegas Sun: NEWSALERT, Saturday, June 21, 2008)

FLORIDA

Smoke-free leader lets them light up: North Miami long ago scrapped a ban much like the one enacted in Sarasota (The Herald Tribue, May 21, 2008) Quote (emphasis added):

North Miami ended its prohibition on hiring smokers five years ago because the city desperately needed police officers, and applicants were turned off by the anti-smoking rule.
The health insurance savings that inspired the policy had also eroded, said North Miami spokeswoman Pam Solomon.
"It was really hampering our recruitment process and it no longer made a difference on our insurance," Solomon said. "Our insurance company said obesity was a bigger issue than smoking."
WebMistress: Sheesh.

ALABAMA

Ala. smoking ban bill dies without being voted on (AL dot com newsflash, 5/20/2008)

TENNESSEE

Despite ban, Tennessee Rep. Joe McCord admits smoking in his office ( Channel 8, Volunteer TV, 12:54 PM May 7, 2008) Not too unusual. Many bans are from hypocritical politicians, e.g. European Parliament Abandons Smoking Ban despite the fact that the EU has been one of the biggest pushers of smoking bans throughout Europe! Or, consider Manitoba NDP under fire for ignoring smoking ban...oops on Canadian politicians! And guess who’s got the best (only?) Club in town that allows smoking? Will it be the Democrats or the Republicans? Guess you’ll have to find out in Boehner's Favorite Smoke-Filled Room. Are voters really stupid enough to believe that hypocrites writing legal policies are good for a nation?

OREGON

Ore. court rejects medical costs claim on tobacco industry (Chicago Tribune, May 1, 2008 )
It's not so much good news as...just very interesting, breaking the trend. It really does smell an awful lot like people getting sick of antismoking. They're relying on the definition of "harm" in tort law. But, frankly, if the court had wanted to press it, they could have used junk science again or found some way of holding the tobacco companies responsible again. I really believe that antismokers have flouted the law too many times...and judges don't like that.

IOWA

State using up cash from tobacco lawsuit (Des Moines Register, April 24, 2008)
And this comes on the heels of the Iowa smoking ban? It's a setup to follow Ohio. Without antitobacco money, enforcement will be too expensive.

Iowa bar owners preparing for legal fight against Iowa smoking ban-- Quad-City Times, Saturday, April 19, 2008.

Smoking ban brings out candidates (DesMoines Register, June 2, 2008) Quote:

Bukta said she understands why bar and some restaurant owners are upset, saying, "If I did hurt any business, I'm terribly sorry."

PENNSYLVANIA

Smoking ban decision delayed again
By RICHARD FELLINGER
Harrisburg bureau
HARRISBURG, Tuesday, April 29 -- Lawmakers postponed a decision today on a plan to ban or limit public smoking in Pennsylvania. A House-Senate conference committee had been scheduled to meet this morning to seek a compromise on different bills that cleared the chambers last year, but committee Chairman Stewart Greenleaf issued a brief statement saying the meeting will be delayed "for a short period."
"I look forward to a full public discussion in the very near future on Pennsylvania's smoke-free legislation," Greenleaf added.
This marks the second time the committee has postponed a decision on the controversial issue.
Rep. Ron Miller, R-York, authored the plan that has recently received the most attention, but anti-smoking groups have criticized it as too weak.
Under his plan, businesses and clubs that want to allow smoking would have to prominently post signs indicating they are smoking places and meet air-testing requirements. Children would not be allowed inside.
His plan would ban smoking in all indoor places that don't meet the testing mandate or don't choose to post signs declaring that smoking is permitted. The bills that cleared the House and Senate last year differed on which establishments should be exempt from a ban.
The six-member conference committee needs four votes to approve a bill. Both chambers would then have to ratify it on a yes-no vote before it could be sent to Gov. Ed Rendell for his signature.
Rendell has advocated a tough ban.
PA: Allegheny County Smoking Ban Hearing
Robert Gehrmann, Pennsylvania State Coordinator, The Smoker's Club, Inc.

WebMistress: I actually met this man at a Smokers Club meeting in Charlotte, NC!

Pete Robinson: German ban goes up in smoke (The Publican, 29 April, 2008_

Demonstration against smoking bans in Berlin

Hackers attack pro-choice websites (Thursday, 10 April 2008, Independence: The website of the UK Independence Party) -- The bad news is that the pro-freedom webistes were re-directed to an NHS antismoking website. The good news is that the freedom-lovers had their websites back in working order in record time and the incident, showing the desperation of antismokers, has been reported by a reliable press. The attack was quite high-level and, hopefully, the parties responsible will be caught and face the music.

A smoker's guide to Europe and beyond (part one) (Monday April 7, 2008) -- Words from the rockin' world of Joe Jackson!

Roll up for the newest travel trend: smoking tourism (Monday April 7 2008) -- In a post-ban market, businesses that once held the antismoking niche lose many of their customers to businesses that have since been forced to become antismoking. Now, there's a HUGE void in the smoker-friendly niche--and some companies and places for tourism--want to cash-in.

Under the heading Signs of Life at Big Tobacco, one tobacco company is actually starting to get into the fight. For the ages, BT has shied away from lobbying or doing anything to combat the fraudulent science behind smoking bans or the inevitable slide into the Nanny State--well, except for getting the EPA report thrown out by a federal judge. Now, one company is going for the throat and being heard, especially now that the ban has caused so much damage. Get a loada this: Imperial Tobacco slams tobacco display plan, quote:

Healy urged the government to ensure any future legislation in the tobacco category was "evidence based" but added this was not always the case, citing a House of Lords' report on risk management which had criticised the government's introduction of the smoking ban in England and Wales.

Norfolk council reverses course restaurant smoking ban (Associated Press, March 26, 2008). Quote: "NORFOLK, Va. - Norfolk will not be the first Virginia city to ban smoking in restaurants. The Norfolk City Council reversed course Tuesday, rescinding an ordinance passed last fall that would have banned smoking in city restaurants beginning Monday. The city council voted 5-2 to repeal the ordinance, which passed 7-1 in October. Council members had second thoughts largely because they were concerned that restaurants would lose business to surrounding cities. The ban had been set to go into effect next week."

Smoke ban rebel Hamish Howitt (Morning Advertiser, 26/03/2008). From the article (emphasis added):

Howitt said he has been given 21 days to apply for a judicial review of the smoking ban at the High Court.
He said he expected the fines to be bigger so he is able to afford the legal action.
Howitt told the MA: “I’m very pleased. The judge has given me a green light to fight a law of oppression.”
The licensee said the Happy Scot, where smoking is not allowed, is to be renamed The Freed Inn 2 Choose. Del Boy’s will keep its name and smoking will be permitted inside, Howitt said.

Charlevoix County board repeals workplace smoke ban (Petosky News-Review, Tuesday, March 4, 2008, 9:46 AM EST)

Bartender's charges go up in smoke: Case dismissed for woman who allegedly let bar patron light up (Wednesday, March 19, 2008, pjstar.com) -- "Bureau County State's Attorney Pat Herrmann said after Karla Carrington's brief court hearing that once he reviewed the Smoke-Free Illinois Act, which banned indoor smoking in public places beginning this year, he found no authority to file a formal charge....But the challenge to the state's smoking ban that was part of Carrington's case - including questions of constitutionality and the potential to overturn the law through a strangely worded clause - will continue."

Fayette County to not enforce smoking ban (3/17/08 @ 1:39:03 pm, WJBD Local News Story) -- "Fayette County State's Attorney Steven Friedel has asked law enforcement in the county not to issue smoking citations to offenders in bars and private clubs. Friedel is calling the 'Smoke Free Illinois' law a horrendous piece of legislation that is overbroad, poorly drafted and is difficult at best and impossible at worst to enforce."

Buddhadeb defies smoking ban (The Hindu National, Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008) -- "Kolkata: Defying the blanket ban on smoking at the State Secretariat, West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee on Tuesday made it clear that he would continue to puff inside his office."

Michigan Smoking Ban Dies for Lack of Vote...and Democrats can do nothing but whine about it (March 5, 2008)-- Politicians are learing that this is poison to their political power. Nobody wants to even VOTE on these things anymore. If they vote for a ban, their economy tanks and they risk losing their next election. (That's happened to other politicians who pushed bans.) If they vote against it, antismokers use junk science to claim that they're endangering lives. Frankly, the media has lost credibility--and newspaper circulation has declined--because journalists (I use the term loosely) insist on publishing any old trash--like how much constituents want smoking bans. If people wanted smoking bans, then that's what the free market would have provided long ago. If there was ever a time to feel sorry for politicians, now is it.

GVSU not following county smoking ban (Michigan, Chronicle News Service, January 16, 2008 20:51PM)


Mark W. Benjamin: Bars could stage a challenge to statewide smoking ban (February 8, 2008, startribune-dot-com)-- Mark W. Benjamin, a nonsmoker, is an attorney in Cambridge, Minn. He is part of an effort to stage a "tobacco troupe" production at a Minnesota bar this evening. From the article, "...the Freedom to Breathe Act that swatted smokers out of warm Minnesota bars and onto freezing sidewalks. There smokers huddle and, hands shaking, try to light up. Meanwhile, the hands of small bar owners are shaking for different reasons. They worry over their balance sheets, awash in red ink, and lay off their part-time help. As the nation slides into recession, things can only get worse." See Freedom to Act, which lists smoking theatres previously known as bars. Also, read Mr. Benjamin's OPEN LETTER TO MR. JOHN STINE, DIRECTOR, ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DIVISION, MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. (WebMistress: Personally, I'm not much of a drinker. If only restaurants and airlines could learn to put on productions of "Before the Ban" or "The Tobacco Monologues". I can be a good little actress as my videos on Youtube can attest!) For more information, you can visit The Tavern League of Minnesota. See continuing updates from Forces News Portal--and be sure to watch the short video that goes with it!
For the record, others are finding loopholes--or simply disobeying bans. For example, savvy Britons have figured out that you can just Smoke Upstairs, among other things.

Legal legend Dickie Scruggs pleads guilty in bribery
Quote: Scruggs earned millions from asbestos litigation. But it was his assault on Big Tobacco in the 1990s that made him famous. Scruggs orchestrated one of the largest civil settlements in American history, winning nearly $250 billion from the industry. The fees awarded to the plaintiffs' lawyers came to more than $13 billion. Scruggs' share of the pot was at the very least in the hundreds of millions.
So, THAT'S where our tobacco money went! By the way, doesn't that big ol' Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) violate the Compact Clause in our Constitution? I could be wrong, but I don't think states are allowed to enter a legal and binding agreement with corporations--unless they hire Scruggs to argue the case for them, right? Sheesh.

House Subcommittee Rejects Anti-Smoking Bill (Virginia), "A House of Delegates subcommittee unanimously killed legislation yesterday to ban smoking in restaurants and most other indoor public places in Virginia. The action by the general laws subcommittee came as no surprise. The panel has rejected anti-smoking bills in the past. The move does not bode well for a package of anti-smoking bills passed by the Senate this week. Those measures will go to the same subcommittee when they reach the House." -- Associated Press, washingtonpost (Friday, February 8, 2008; Page B05)
House panel rejects last batch of Va. anti-smoking bills

Proposed statewide smoking ban snuffed out, at least for now (March 13, 2008, postcresent dot com, Appleton, WI)

Going up in smoke?, "Berlin may have introduced a smoking ban at the beginning of January, but one month on, many cafés and bars had begun handing out the ashtrays again." (The Economist, March, 2008). Also, German Resistance Proves Tough against Smoking Ban (Cox News Service, Monday, March 10, 2008). And...Bavarian Politicans Want to Relax Smoking Ban (Spiegel Online, March 06, 2008), which begins, "The leaders of Bavaria's ruling party, the Christian Social Union, want to relax the state's smoking ban -- and very quickly. Many of the party's politicians blame the ban for the CSU's poor showing in recent local elections."

House flips, weakens smoking ban (March 13, 2008, desmoinesregister.com) Includes VOTING record!!! Also, notice how ridiculous the exceptions and exemptions are getting. Ridiculous.

Tuesday February 19th, the DTV association of German tobacconists bestowing its Tobacco Innovation Award on FORCES Germany. (Report in English)

Birmingham Mail readers call for an end to pub smoking ban by Emma Cullwick, Birmingham Mail (Nov 27 2007)

See many more failed bans at Another Ban Failed. Honestly, after all the money poured into Tobacco Control and drug companies (via smoking cessation products), these buffoons can't do anything better than promote amoking bans that are destined to fail, don't improve public health, and cause all sorts of economic and social damage. Geez, after all the politicians who've lost their posts because they pushed smoking bans...you'd think they'd learn, wouldn't you?

Forces International has lodged an official complaint against the Surgeon General report on passive smoking. The complaint has been filed with Office of Research Integrity (ORI) of the United States in Washington, DC, and forwarded to the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services. FORCES, Inc. is a non-partisan, Educational organization which has been granted the 501(c)(3) non profit designation by the United States Internal Revenue Service.

A letter from a a businessman in Ohio calls for a congressional hearing to investigate and scrutinize antismoking studies of passive smoking. To quote,

...these "reports" and "studies" can be scrutinized by experts NOT PAID by the RWJ Foundation, ACS, AHA, etc.

From the Mastermind category, Special Subject, "Nonsmokers Getting It", we have Saying No to the Nanny State from the Intellectual Conservative (March 13, 2008). Nonsmokers finally figuring out that secondhand smoke never was all that bad but the Nanny State is coming after their freedoms now--and coming after their children. (Not much of a surprise. Nobody had problems with turning children against their parents over smoking.) Yet, there really are nonsmokers who have figured out that the whole health-scam based Nanny State started with antismoking!

SMINTAIR (Smokers' International Airways) is going the distance for us! What a smart idea! If only all commercial airlines could figure out that smoke-free travel could be billed as "Family Friendly" and smoking permitted travel could be billed as "Business Class"! Well, maybe the idea will be more contagious than SARS on airplanes and we can all get on the flight of our choice.
Okay, not all nonsmokers are particularly bright. See the new Playmobil Security Check Point and the often comical comments that follow. Alas, many blame a mythical Tobacco Lobby that cigarette lighters are allowed on planes but not water bottles--despite the fact the the Tobacco Companies have not been allowed to lobby ever since the Master Settlement Agreement. Now, they whine that they're being treated like common criminals--just like they've been treating people who smoke. My sympathy just ran out. *wink*

Brit John Nuttall, who has been denied surgery on his extremely painful broken ankle because he smokes, has been contacted by FORCES International with an offer to pay for the surgery by a private physician. (He's currently taking morphine every day for the pain of the grinding bones.) He is deciding on whether or not to accept the offer because he believes that the NHS should take responsibility after all the years he's been paying into it. Whatever he chooses, the offer stands and we all wish him the best!

Pfizer anti-smoking drug under FDA safety review (Reuters UK, Tue Nov 20, 2007 10:36pm GMT). Well, it's high time.
Glaxo Smith Kline Shame (31 Jan 2007)
One Thousand Lives A Month (CBS News, Feb. 17, 2008)
Bayer and HIV Tainted Blood -- MSNBC News
FDA seeks more information from Merck for cholesterol drug

Cordaptive combines an extended-release form of the B vitamin niacin with a chemical to inhibit a sometimes-intolerable niacin side effect called flushing — redness, burning and tingling of the face.
Niacin has been used to control cholesterol for decades, and an extended-release version called Niaspan, made by Abbott Labs, has been on sale for years.
WebMistress: For those who don't know, they're talking about vitamin B3, also known as niacin and nicotinic acid. It's a form of nicotine. Please see Facts About Nicotine.
Ex-Drug Sales Rep Tells All -- Source: ABC News, March 12, 2008. Get this...
During their five-week training class, Ahari claims that instructors teach sales tactics, including how to exceed spending limits for important clients, being generous with free samples to leverage sales, using friendships and personal gifts to foster a "quid pro quo" relationship, and how to exploit sexual tension.

"The nature of this business is gift-giving," says Ahari. He claims that he's heard stories about sales reps helping to pay the cost of a doctor's swimming pool and another doctor who was routinely taken to a nightclub where a hostess was paid to keep him company.

... According to Ahari, the benefits could be lucrative for sales reps, who tended to earn more than researchers.
WebMistress Asks a Pertinent Question: Are these the same drug companies that write med school textbooks? Just asking.

What goes around comes around. After the 1993 EPA report that manipulated data and facts to issue a faulty warning against SHS/ETS, it's coming back around to haunt the EPA. States Sue EPA Over Global Warming (AOL, 2008-04-02). Better yet, EPA scientists complain about political pressure (Fox News, Wednesday, April 23, 2008) and Survey: Half of EPA Scientists Complain of Political Interference, Waxman to Investigate (TPM muckraker, April 23, 2008, 12:40PM)

News from TSA: New Policies for Lighters, Electronics, and Breast Milk: In an effort to concentrate resources on detecting explosive threats, TSA will no longer ban common lighters in carry-on luggage as of August 4, 2007. Torch lighters remain banned in carry-ons. I don't recall hearing this publicized in the US media. Funny that. *Big Grin* Actually, I found this little tidbit on the blog of an antismoker who was lamenting the waning of antismoking in the US and around the world. However, on one note, I agree with the antismoker: Bottles of nonflamable water are still absurdly banned from flights! Well, no more snubs from airport security about the Bic in your pocket with your smokes. Check the Smoker Friendly list to help make your travel plans as comfortable as possible.

Conference: Rumblings on the Interior -- A rather serious romur has been circulating about a conference with some of the BIG pro-freedom groups. This is just in time for the TSA getting a grip about the importance of accomodating people who smoke. Gee, maybe if some of the airlines decide to start being a little more friendly, they'll be getting lotsa business from us very soon! Stay tuned for updates!

I read the news today, oh boy!
--vintage Beatles
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More Excellent videos available from The Smokers Club. Be sure to see Mandatory Shower With A Gorilla Program from the Government.

There is no reason why good cannot triumph as often as evil. The triumph of anything is a matter of organization. If there are such things as angels, I hope that they are organized along the lines of the Mafia.
~ Kurt Vonnegut