Welcome to the new forum.This is a place for mature debate on the topic of freedom of choice in a democratic society.Please keep your comments clean and civil.
This forum is not a pro-smokers page or an anti-smokers "feel-good" club.The issues here are our freedoms to choose and how the governments are trying to further restrict and even remove those civil rights that many of us seem to have taken for granted.
Smoking and drinking in excess are not usually healthy habits.Both legal drugs affect many different people in different ways.One person's poison can be another's elixir of enjoyment.Many lives are ruined by the use of legal and illegal substances.With that said,it comes down to making adult, personal choices.
In no way does this site or forum advocate the use of alcohol,tobacco or illegal drugs by anyone other than adults.Who make that personal choice(s) and accept responsibility for their own actions.No matter what the harsh realities may entail.
Introduction :
Tobacco and alcohol are legal drugs.Our North American governments(U.S.A. and Canada) reap huge tax monies and revenues.In the case of tobacco settlement monies in the hundreds of billions of dollars (U.S.A.).
Even though these drugs are proven killers they remain legal.Our governments have no plans to criminalize these products anytime soon.All levels of government reap large financial rewards due to direct and indirect sales and the production of these two products.It is virtually impossible to believe the governments care about anyone's personal health as long as they allow these products to be sold.
Sadly,these governments are even more addicted to tobacco and alcohol taxes than smokers and drinkers are to their own vices.
The fourth level of government:
These people are the scariest of them all.Appointed health boards and government funded health groups,that include the anti-smoking faction.Anti-smoking groups are big business that commands huge government and private donations and grants.There agenda is to secure as much funding as possible.At any cost.
Manipulation of true scientific data,the use of corrupt junk science,the spreading of health hysteria,fear and hatred campaigns and omission of the truth,including out and out lies to achieve their agenda(more funding) is a way of life.No lie is too big, for these "health" conscious groups.Their biggest "health' concern is keeping themselves in a job.no matter what it takes.
The American Constitution and The Canadian Charter Of Rights :
Both similarly state : Every man,woman and child is created equally.Though this statement never has been a realistic one at the best of times,in fact the rights we have now are slowly being eroded by all levels of government.
No person in in either country is supposed to be discriminated against based on race,creed,color,ethnic background,minority status,age,gender( including sexual orientation) or religion.Both countries claim to support freedom of speech.How much freedom they are willing to allow is debatable.
Each and every day are freedoms to choose seem to be dwindling.It is time to speak out. While we all still retain that right.
Anyone who will follow government or money motivated health groups blindly,taking their word as the Gospel is not only sheep-like.they also lack objectivity and the ability to reason in an intelligent,logical manner.
Tobacco and alcohol money makes the world go around.No matter what kind of moral stance governments and health groups try to uphold,the truth is simple.These killer products are keeping everyone of them in business.Without "Big Tobacco" or "Big Alcohol" everyone else : the clean-living people,would be taxed to death.
Even if you despise tobacco and or alcohol there is one thing any level-headed person must admit.For years the governments have known tobacco and alcohol are killers and are unhealthy products.Why has there been no movement to ban these products ? The simple answer is MONEY ! If tobacco and alcohol health-care costs were really not offset by tax revenue dollars both products would have been outlawed years ago.
If anyone is foolish enough to believe the governments care about your personal health,they need a serious reality check.
Actually once you reach a legal age they governments would love for you to smoke and drink heavily.But there is a catch.They also would like you to drop dead without any form of a lengthy hospital stay at pensionable age.Old people even healthy ones,are a huge drain on health-care.Old age pension in Canada and Social security benefits cost big money.
If you still believe the governments care about your well-being, consider this. If second-hand tobacco is really the killer that the governments claim,why do they still allow the production and sales of the product ? If the health guise they claim is genuine...Why don't they just shutdown all the tobacco companies or at least make a nation-wide indoor smoking ban ? If tobacco is not cost effective in regards to health-care as the governments falsely claim,why do they allow this travesty and injustice to go on ? Because it is not true.If anyone believes our governments who actually are the senior partners of the tobacco industry : The real "Merchants Of Death" actually give a damn about anyone else's health especially where the unproven "dangers" of second-hand smoke are concerned...Better have a serious reality check and fast.
It all comes back to control,power and money.Each level of government craves it .Health be damned.
As of now smoking and alcohol are legal products.As long as they remain legal the debate shall continue.It is not a criminal offence to smoke indoors in North America.But it is a criminal offence to drink and drive impaired.Until smoking is criminalized it should be allowed at the choice the business owner on his or her private property.
The governments do have a right to ban smoking in public places. Hospitality venues unless owned and or leased out by the government are in fact private businesses.
In many areas government and health groups claim that support for 100% indoor smoking bans is overwhelming.This is an out and out lie.The polls and surveys given by these organizations are small in size and the questions asked are ambiguous at best.Most of the people are cherry-picked from a certain demographic.Including that of religious groups who frown on smoking.Most people polled or surveyed are only asked if they like smoke-free dining.Some of these surveys are never even conducted.If the poll or survey results do not support the agenda,another study(controlled)will be done.If that poll or survey does not produce the desired results the government or health group will use "anti-smoker math".Prescribing to the theory only about 25% of the population smokes the "new" poll results will say : 70%-75% of the population want 100% indoor smoking bans in all hospitality venues.Remember anti-smoker math always gets a failing grade.
The truth :
Most people non-smokers and smokers alike do believe smoking restrictions should be left to the owner of a hospitality establishment.No one is forcing anyone to patronize or work in a smoke-filled hospitality venue.North America is big place there are room for smoking and non-smoking venues at the choice of the owner.
The governments:"Merchants Of Death" should :
"BUTT OUT" regarding this issue.When they give up tobacco and alcohol tax revenues and only then,will anyone be honestly able to believe they care about anyone's health.
Enjoy this forum and the right to freedom of choice while you still can.Anyone that will blindly accept 100% indoor smoking bans based upon unproven health dangers,as a good idea...Will have many if not almost all of their civil rights stripped from them in time.
Regards,
The Moderating Staff
