Another Turncoat Republican in Wisconsin

In an unusual twist, a Republican in the State assembly is taking a stand against Democrats who are standing in the way of a state smoking ban by introducing a “no compromises” ban that would go into effect January 1st of 2009. He is claiming that his bill “rises above partisan politics.”
Really? It sounds to [...]

Senator Breske Stands Firm

Madison – Gov. Jim Doyle’s plan for a statewide smoking ban appeared snuffed out Wednesday, after state Senate Democratic leaders said taverns should be exempted from any ban until July 2011.
“I guess we’re back to square one,” said Sen. Roger Breske (D-Eland), who noted that a meeting of Senate leaders and anti-smoking groups in [...]

Ban Damage: Australia

Aussie nannies are hailing success as they seem to be killing two birds with one stone.
However, they still seem to miss the bigger picture – either that or they simply just don’t care. I’ll let you decide.
According to Adelaide Now, some area hotels are seeing revenue losses in excess of 25% thanks to declined gaming [...]

More State Sponsered Guilt

The State Health Department is launching a new campaign of guilt to push for a state-wide smoking ban. Big surprise, eh? If all else fails, make people feel bad and then tell them that they can feel better if they support your “good” campaign, right?
It sounds pretty conniving to me. Why can’t the State and [...]

Who Do You Trust?

If being politically correct or “in” with the pop-culture crowd isn’t important, why not tell the truth?
And that is exactly why people should be listening to Czech President Vaclav Klaus, who has really angered the SS crowd by coming out and saying that secondhand smoke might not really be as bad as it’s being played [...]

SS Trooper Compares Smoking to Abortion

Grasping at straws, the SS troopers are now trying to compare smoking to… Abortion?
Oh yeah, and not only that, but they are also trying to get the Catholic Church involved in their crusade (pun definitely intended).
From Dr. Elizabeth M. Whelan, president of the American Council on Science and Health:
“This week’s announcement by Philip Morris that [...]

Sheila Disappoints Us Again

“This is not a party-line issue. … When you get right down to it, it’s a health care issue,” Harsdorf said. “There has been a lot of concern about creating a level playing field. It does make sense to create a level, healthy playing field.”
About 30 people – including American Cancer Society representatives and St. [...]

$20,000 Fine For Allowing Smoking?

You bet! Well, $19,862.47 to be exact.
From the UK Daily Mail:
“The first publican to be convicted after challenging the smoking ban is today facing a £10,000 legal bill.
Nick Hogan, 40, was taken to court after repeatedly flouting rules by letting customers light up in his pubs in Bolton, Greater Manchester.”
I’m not sure if we [...]

How Smoking Bans Assault Private Property Rights, and Your Freedom

Jim over at New Richmond Online requested that I explain to him how smoking  bans are unconstitutional.  I can’t.  I can, however, explain how smoking bans assault the very fabric of American’s freedom, and how they provide a slippery slope to government oppression.
The first thing we all need to understand is that private property ownership [...]

Ban Damage: Illinois

More economic impact data…
From KWMU:
“An economist with the Federal Reserve Bank in St. Louis says that the economic impact of smoking bans may be more significant than previously thought.
According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Pakko says bars typically see losses ranging from four to sixteen percent of revenue.
His article referenced data from [...]