Halting the Erosion of Individual Liberties
- Stand Up and be Counted -
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The Campaign to Halt the Erosion of Individual Liberties | |
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-----1. The Current Situation -----2. The Issue -----3. The Context for Future Debate -----4. The Bottom Line..... 1. The Current Situation Recent manipulation of public and scientific opinion by a well organised and well funded pressure group has resulted in legislation which has destroyed a recreational way of life for millions of people. The unhappy situation is compounded by the fact that it is all so unnecessary, the declared aims of the pressure group could have been achieved by more liberal means. In addition the majority of level-headed people in the country do not support such spiteful and vindictive legislation. Also, many other European Countries have adopted less draconian ways (separate ventilated smoking rooms/venues) of achieving a balance between those who want to smoke and those who want a smoke-free atmosphere. This pressure group has orchestrated the legal imposition of their own views across the whole country, purporting to have done so on grounds of public health. The scientific evidence available was ignored if it didn't suit or support their cause, and exaggerated often to the point of falsification when it could be made to support their objectives. The arguments were emotive not rational, and the manipulation of our system of governance was exceptional, riding on the band-wagon of similar successes around the western world. If it wasn't so fraudulent in nature it could almost be admired, but when one delves beneath the surface their methods can only be described as disgraceful and unconstitutional. It is beyond belief that this has happened in Britain, our great country, once renowned across the world for fairness, freedom and judicial integrity, principles that countless millions of Britons have given their lives to uphold. The politicians we elected to preserve our rights and freedoms failed to live up to their responsibilities, they have failed those who in the past have sacrificed their lives for freedom. They allowed personal prejudice and specious argument to overcome fairness and the protection of civil liberties All those who supported this legislation should be heartily ashamed of themselves. If legislators are allowed to enact legislation on the basis of such biased opinion and flawed evidence, then there will be no limit to the number or extent of similar curtailments of our freedom in years to come. The long list of curtailments is lining up - and come they all will. Every right-minded and thinking person in the country must stand up and take issue with the way things have been done. They must put a stop to this dishonest approach and fight for more open and balanced law making, and put the protection of individual freedom, of which we have less and less, at the heart of any decision making. back to topics list 2. The Issue Three key principles of law-making were ignored by legislators in the debates on smoking in public places :-
These three issues were sidestepped and for this reason the current anti-smoking legislation MUST be revisited. Let's be clear, this is not about bringing back smoky pubs that many had to suffer in the past - this is about providing separate clean-air rooms, properly ventilated, where smokers could enjoy their drink, conversation, relaxation and cigarette/cigar away from the non-smoking public. back to topics list 3. The Context for Future Debate The enormous impact the current unfair legislation has on smokers' lives is not appreciated by most non-smokers. For instance, most people smoke socially and it is part of the way they choose to live their lives. But now they are faced with the knowledge that if this legislation holds, then never again will they be able to sit around a warm pub fire, talk to friends, have a drink and enjoy a relaxing cigarette/cigar. This is a wholly unnecessary infringement of their civil liberties and can only be described as a betrayal of trust by the politicians involved. In addition to the biased arguments it was also imposed despite more than half of the population being amenable to separate indoor smoking facilities. Should not politicians better represent the views of the public who elected them? The fact that this was achieved through the emotive arguments of a well funded vindictive anti-smoking lobby only exacerbates the injustice. It is clear to me, and almost all other smokers I have met, that those who don't like second hand smoke should not have to suffer it - whether it causes them harm or not. Neither should workers be forced to accept it. But neither should smokers be banned from smoking where the means exist to allow them to smoke in rooms isolated from non-smokers and which present no threat to the people who work in them. The future debate should take note that :-
Please join this campaign to reject the erosion of our increasingly precious freedoms - even if you are a non-smoker. It is the principle of fairness and legitimate law-making that must be fought for. If we don't succeed in amending this legislation then it is inevitable that our few remaining freedoms will soon disappear. Please e-mail this page to all friends, relatives, local officials, politicians, MPs etc. using the " E-Mail this Link " box below, and ask them to examine their consciences and appreciate the devastating effect this ban is having on smokers lives and the destruction of our traditional British Pub. Ask them to support amendment of the legislation to allow separate ventilated smoking rooms/venues as many other European countries have done. back to topics list 4. The Bottom Line ..... NO SMOKE - NO VOTE When time for voting arrives, vote for whom you think is the best candidate who supports an amendment to the smoking ban. If none of the candidates have publicly stated their support for the introduction of separate ventilated smoking rooms then You must spoil the ballot paper so that your negative vote will be counted, and pro-ban politicians will see the scale of the force voting against them. With this force known, and dictating the outcome of the local elections, politicians will sit up and take note, and smokers can pressurise them to change their stance before the next election. So don't just stay at home, if you do then politicians won't know how you feel about the ban and it will reduce smokers' bargaining position in the run-up to the next general election.. There are approximately 10 million smokers eligible to vote and also many non-smokers who support civil liberties and smokers rights. Even 50% of these voting against those who supported this legislation could determine the outcome of an election. Spread the word. Smokers must unite to fight this injustice, in the same way that workers in the past united in Trades Unions to fight exploitation. Do not let this opportunity pass you by - the rest of society will in the long term be thankful to you for putting a brake on this curtailment of individual liberties, and on politicians and well funded pressure groups imposing their personal lifestyle preferences on the rest of society. |
