FORCES - ESSAYS AND ARTICLES - From FORCES Canada

Punishing a minority - "This is not about protecting anybody's health. This is about punishing a minority for its lifestyle.
ť " No, this isn't about health. ť It's about CONTROL.

ť It's about imposing a mandatory, laboratory-approved, elitist-commanded lifestyle on everyone.

ť It's about removing choice and freedom.

If the law has to be undermined and science corrupted in the process, so be it. In the anti-smoking fanatic's mind, "it's for the children."

Synopsis of a Fraud - This letter by FORCES Canada's Pat Hagen to the Libertarian Party of Canada effectively sums up the great frauds of the anti-smoking propaganda in Canada - frauds that are not different than what is going on in several nations of the world.

Once the antismoking scam will be finally revealed at mass level, and anti-tobacco will inevitably take the historical way of alcohol prohibition, the anti-smoking movement will go down in history as the perpetrator of the greatest, most successful fraud in the history of mankind.

And the gullibility of the public and politicians, as well as the ability of institutions to systematically deceive the people they are supposed to "protect" will be the lessons the future generations will learn - way more than this 'scientific' fraud intended.

To make a buck, B.C. rewrites its laws - As updated in Tobacco Industry strikes at B.C. bill on October 05th, opinion concerning the British Columbia Provincial Government's tactics appears to be going against them. The current link is a legal opinion on just what is taking place in this Province.

When the RIGHTS of anyone, individual or industry, are abrogated we all lose. Is the Government, and those who provided the 'evidence', so afraid of its tenuousness that they can't risk having it put under the light in court?

The truly frightening part is, these are the people who make the decisions that affect the lives of every resident of this Province, and purport to have the 'best interests of the children' at heart.

Chaos awaits smoking ban - In response to the British Columbia Workers Compensation Board's complete ban on smoking in the workplace, slated for implementation 01 January 2000, Tim Crowhurst of the Hotel Association of Canada has said,

"I have not met a single hospitality manager in B.C. who is really planning to ban smoking in their premises."

The public health/WCB solution to protect hospitality workers from nothing is to set up a toll-free snitch line - funded by the taxpayer of course. Nothing like stirring up civil unrest and workplace problems as an economic stimulant.

These people are trespassing on private property, and usurping the decision-making rights of owners of hospitality establishments - on a fraudulent basis. There is absolutely no scientific proof whatsoever to support their contention that it's necessary to protect workers from secondhand smoke:

1. Environmental Protection Agency - ETS Fraud, USA Court Verdict
2. Australian Federal Court Decision - ETS 'scientific evidence' corrupt
3. World Health Study on ETS - No lung cancer
4. More evidence countering the 'dangers' of secondhand smoke

Furthering the 'Smoke-Free Canada' agenda is not part of the Workers Compensation Board mandate. It's time for a review of the personnel in charge of this public entity.

Anti-smokers strike again - A Winnipeg Free Press editorial writer 'clears some smoke' surrounding that city council's proposal to bring in a by-law banning public smoking. The news about scientific fraud is beginning to spread.

Gov't 'stacks deck' in seeking cig damages - This article reported in the Winnipeg Free Press outlines what we already know about the B.C. government's attempt at legislated looting. They obviously fear that their 'evidence' won't stand up to scrutiny - the solution? Subvert justice and pass a 'law' requiring that it be accepted without question.

It can only be hoped that the court will not take 'dictation' from unprincipled legislators willing to undermine the foundation of the legal system in order to shore up a failing economy.

Tobacco industry strikes at B.C. bill - "Unconstitutional"? You bet it is. In an attempt to fill government coffers with a lawsuit to 'recover health care costs', the B.C. Government last year passed legislation requiring any evidence it presented to be accepted without challenge.

FORCES Canada posted an article in November 1998 regarding this Guilty if B.C. says you're guilty, and now the time has come to determine if the B.C. Government has indeed the authority to grant itself the power to both "accuse and judge" at the same time.

The unmitigated arrogance of a government in commandeering this type of power should send a warning shot across the bows of every 'industrial ship' in this nation.

The New World Order 'Mule Team' - British Columbia's first regional smoking ban (euphemistically called a 'clean air' bylaw) has prompted these thoughts from an extremely talented writer currently living under the conditions imposed.

For those of you who may consider the scenario unreal, remember that only a few years ago the idea of anyone being forbidden to have a cigarette in a bar was laughable.

Unfortunately, we have a number of 'mules' ready to join the 'team', waiting impatiently to be harnessed.

No-smoking fight moves to political arena - "Now I'm an unemployed non-smoker and I'm still involved in the fight. People should have a choice. It's a freedom issue." (Brian Mayzes, political candidate)

Courage is one thing this particular candidate has more than his share of. Taking on the current 'powers-that-be' in Canada's first regional smoking PROHIBITION test area (so-called 'clean air' bylaw) has cost this gentleman enormous stress, aggravation, and resulted in the loss of his job. He's since declared his intention to run for the Mayor of Saanich (on Vancouver Island) - Esquimalt's loss. What he doesn't lack is principles, determination, integrity, and volunteers to help with his campaign. Once elected, he'll provide more 'clean-air' in that part of this Country than some folks bargained for.

Anti-tobacco measures have people burning mad - Just what the workplace needs, company-designated snitches. The businesses are only trying to protect themselves from hefty fines if Quebec's new tobacco control law is broken by employees. Rather than further burden their budgets by hiring smoke-police, employee "inspectors" may be appointed.

The Government will no doubt welcome the additional 'tax' by way of fines that they'll collect, but it's doubtful they'll make many electorate 'points' with this cynical effort to protect the workers' health. Some workers however, may find themselves in need of a very real kind of protection should this company-snitch situation materialize.

THE HIDDEN COST OF KICKING THE HABIT - "Zyban is a success story, contributing $34.3-million to Glaxo Wellcome's sales in the first 10 months on the market according to IMS Health, and peaking in March, when 82,175 prescriptions were issued.

"We've had a huge response rate; we're thrilled," said Michael Levy, senior vice-president of research and development for Glaxo Wellcome Inc. in Mississauga." Well I guess so. Any drug company would be 'thrilled' with that addition to their bottom line. Read the rest of the article and find out if you want to be a contributor to it.

Public smoking ban a hot button - "While some businesses might notice a short-term loss when the ban first begins, by the end of the first year, losses were negligible or non-existent," said Taylor. (Dr. Mark Taylor, chairman of the Manitoba Medical Assoc.'s public health issues committee)

Well Dr. Taylor, perhaps you should tell that to the businesses owners who've closed down or are on the verge of bankruptcy in California and the Capital Regional District of British Columbia where rigorous public smoking bans have been implemented. You might also want to alert employees who now find themselves trying to exist on drastically reduced hours or 'employment' insurance.

Stick to medicine Dr. Taylor - as an economist, you leave a lot to be desired.

News Release from The Victoria Freedom of Choice Coalition - So losing the business of smokers doesn't cost? Tell that to the Capital Regional District businesses where the local economic consequences were SIX MILLION dollars lost between January '99, when the public smoking ban was implemented, and March. That's just 3 months - before the start of the tourist season. Anti-smokers are definitely not economists, and it's difficult to believe that any of them are business owners. The latter know that the marketplace decides this type of issue - not governments.

Coffee? Tea? Patch? - This suggestion by the Canadian Nonsmoking Council is a great shill for pharmaceutical companies. Anybody got any guesses where some of their funding comes from?

To combat 'air rage', and help those poor 'suffering' smokers, this group of nonthinkers wants Canadian airline companies to offer pharmaceutical DRUGS to passengers who smoke.

This one's a no-brainer. For airline passengers who don't smoke (or drink) and are naturally bad-tempered and obstreperous, step right up and get your PROZAC. Don't worry -be happy -enjoy your trip in a fog, compliments of your friendly 'flavour-of-the-month' lobby group and their cohorts.

If Transport Canada buys this one, we're ready to join that 'lost' continent of Atlantis.

Toronto smoking debate fogged by junk science - The 'Flat Earth Society', also known as Toronto Board of Health, has seemingly won in their recommendation to that city council for a 100% public smoking ban. However, implementation is a few years off and things can change.

The comment at the end of this article in the National Post Newspaper, by Dr. John Luik, succinctly sums up what this issue is REALLY all about:

"At the end of the day, the most important issue at stake today is not whether people can smoke in Toronto restaurants, but whether the city is prepared to base public policy on junk science. The wonderful thing about science is that in the midst of all the subjective cut and thrust of the public policy process, it provides one of the few reasonably objective measures of what is true. By allowing junk science to pass as genuine science and provide the basis for social regulations on smoking or anything else, we not only devalue science but risk losing our single most valuable resource in the public policy process."

When does the war on obesity start with the 'scientific fact' that fat people use up more than their fair share of oxygen? Of course there'll be myriad supporting studies, whose conclusions were determined in advance, that will prove that those of approved weight are being deprived of this essential element by their overweight peers. There's nothing like fomenting social unrest and hatred in the name of public health. When lies are accepted in order to advance an agenda on one issue, you can expect the same thing to apply on others.

OPEN LETTER (to ALL politicians) - Why the Capital Regional District (CRD) of Vancouver Island, British Columbia was chosen as Canada's first regional test case for a complete ban on public smoking is anyone's guess; such a small part of our very large Country.

However, chosen they were and they aren't taking this 'lying down'.

The businesses signatory to the OPEN LETTER link above are NOT all dependent on the custom of smokers. The owners of these establishments recognize the loss of autonomy inherent in the CRD 'clean air' bylaw, and probably wonder which sector of private enterprise is going to be 'hit' next by public health.

Congratulations to the courageous people who placed their name, and money, on this advertisement in the Victoria Times Colonist Newspaper.TOURISTS please take note; these are places you'll be comfortable with should you for some strange reason 'find' yourself on southern Vancouver Island.

Civic elections in British Columbia will take place in November 1999. Help the Victoria Freedom of Choice Coalition eliminate incumbents in the running who voted for the implementation of a bylaw which places their lives and businesses in the hands of public health officials - who seemingly aren't accountable to anyone. Victoria Freedom of Choice Coalition If this complete ban on public smoking is successful here, think again if you don't feel it could happen where you live.

TO ALL CRD DIRECTORS - It's to be hoped that all Capital Regional District Directors take note of Victoria Freedom of Choice Coalition's Chair Brian Mayzes' message to them. Some Provincial politicians should also keep the message under advisement.

In November, 25% of the population - not including those who don't smoke but value their freedom - will have the opportunity of divesting themselves of civic politicians who allowed themselves to be swayed by an agenda based on spurious evidence presented by anti-tobacco fanatics. A Provincial election will allow the same opportunity. When the slate has been swept clean - it'll be time to do some housecleaning in the public health department.

Member of the Victoria Freedom of Choice Coalition continue to fight with tremendous courage. A successful injunction against a business could result in 5 years jail time, business closure, fines........They necessarily put the onus where it rightfully belongs when it comes to enforcement of the so-called 'clean air' bylaw - on the people who brought it to you (CRD) and SMOKERS.

Telephone (250 360-1450) or fax (250 360-1504) the CRD Enforcement line and let them know what you think.

Nicotine therapies safe for all, MDs say - Is that right OMA (Ontario Medical Association)? Where were you when pregnant women in their first trimester were advised to swallow 15-20 NON PRESCRIPTION ASPIRIN a day "as the safest thing you can take" for cartilage problems in 1970? Got any comments about prescription Thalidomide a few years prior to that?

Now pregnant women are supposed to listen to your sermon from the mount about nicotine therapies? Think again OMA. You really haven't "come all that far" - baby ......(quoting an old cigarette advertisement)

Anti-tobacco Gestapo: past and present - swastika Though FORCES has previously made the comparison between Nazi Germany's anti-tobacco tactics and those employed by their modern day counterparts, it's unusual for a national newspaper to feature an article making the same analogy.

For those who need a history lesson on past anti-tobacco fanaticism these two links will be informative, as wellas an eye-opener.

Smoking Ban Woes Continue for Elderly - Just when it looked like some sense had returned to this issue, the Capital Regional District Directors on Vancouver Island reveal their adherence to the smokefree agenda. Just a short reprieve folks...

Smoking Benefits Come to Light - For Alzheimer's - You can add Parkinson's patients to the list of those who benefit as well. Finally, public health in British Columbia has lifted its head out of the sand (wonder what the 'push' was!) and admitted that smoking has some positive aspects.

FORCES' Evidence base has included information for some time regarding this, for both Alzheimer's and Parkinson's sufferers.

How long is it going to be before the veil is lifted on those 'dangers' of secondhand smoke? See the World Health Organization-IARC Study on ETS. The smokefree Canada agenda would then stand revealed for what it really is - an all out bid for control of the individual and his/her legal lifestyle choices.

For those who wish to submit to pharmaceutical experiments for protection against Alzheimer's/Parkinson's, enhance cognition, .........we're sure you'll find some 'suitably' funded research team to assist you. The rest of us will just keep on smoking, relaxing, and enjoying life in our own way - after all, this is still a free Country......isn't it?