December 2011

Cigarette taxes in Idaho could more than triple if anti-smoking groups have their way. They say one of their top priorities this upcoming legislative session is to put pressure on lawmakers to raise state tobacco taxes by at least $1.25.<br />
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You can guess who the anti’s are right, the American Cancer Society.&nbsp; They want to increase the tax to $1.82. Don’t give any money to them because they only spend $400 million for research and hundreds of millions lobbying,<br type="_moz" />

<p>It’s getting surprisingly easy to light up in the Netherlands these days &mdash; cigarettes, that is.</p>
<p>Even as the Dutch government hardens its famous tolerance policy on marijuana, it is taking an increasingly relaxed stance toward tobacco, bucking the trend in nearly every other developed country.</p>

Traveling is becoming more and more impossible if you smoke and are trying to get around the US.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>There are two choices: Flying, where there are no smoking lounges and you may be groped by the TSA, unacceptable! Or driving, what hotel chain can you smoke in? Or smoke and have pets?
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Here is a little song by ZZ Top posted on<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCquyOJ1XIA"> YouTube.</a>&nbsp; Enjoy!<br type="_moz" />

It amazes me the difference in data that is being used by the Anti-tobacco movement.&nbsp; An article in<a href="http://arbiteronline.com/2011/12/08/smoking-ban/"> Boise</a> claims secondhand smoke kills 3,700 people per year in the USA, while another article in <a href="http://yourlife.usatoday.com/health/medical/story/2011-12-08/Some-states-make-stopping-smoking-easier-than-others/51737376/1">USA Today</a> claims the number is 445,000.

North Myrtle Beach.&nbsp; The same tired arguments are being used by the Anti’s to limit choice by the owner and the consumer.&nbsp; The same heart strings being pulled &quot;my wife got breast cancer&quot; from second hand smoke.&nbsp; Really?&nbsp; That has never been clinically proven.&nbsp; There is no clinical proof that second hand smoke has contributed to any illness including heart attacks.<br />
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There will be a meeting by on the smoking ban at City Hall, 1018 Second Ave., S., North Myrtle Beach at 2 p.m.&nbsp; Attend, remember one person changed an entire country’s smoking ban, all you have to do is show up and object.

<p>&quot;THROUGH ITS new Smoke-Free Homes initiative, the Boston Public Health Commission hopes to further decrease smoking in Boston by encouraging private, multi-unit buildings to ban smoking indoors and outdoors near windows, entrances, and ventilation units.&quot; </p>
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The anti’s are complaining that they are getting less and less money to pay for their salaries and anti-smoking campaigns in New Jersey.<br />
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People are out of work and loosing their homes, some are living in their cars.&nbsp; Your salaries and nasty campaigns are not wanted, so stop whining.<br />

Idaho will not be raising taxes on tobacco this year, nor on beer or wine.&nbsp; Seems that Idaho can live within thier means and will not be raising taxes during this recession.<br />

Stan Glantz, recently published the <i>&quot;<span class="cit-title">Failure of policy regarding smoke-free bars in the Netherlands</span></i><span class="cit-title">&quot; where he intimated that the tobacco industry had something to do with the Netherlands reversing its policy to allow smoking in small bars and cafe’s.&nbsp; <br />
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He knows that it isn’t true because he interviewed the individual who organized the small bars and cafe’s.&nbsp; He can’t handle the thought that smokers can organize and win.<br />