Stogie News: Researcher Calls Out Anti-Tobacco Lies
19 Jun 2007
Michael Siegel isn’t your typical warrior for freedom of choice – especially when it comes to smoking. He’s a “public health†expert and a doctor who once pushed smoking bans in workplaces and still supports bans in restaurants and bars.
But Siegel says there has been a change in the anti-tobacco lobby and now calls the anti-smoking movement “a crusade.†On his well-read blog, Tobacco Analysis, he routinely calls out anti-tobacco groups when they make unsubstantiated claims to push their anti-smoking agenda.
To give you an idea, here is a selection of his exposés from just the past month. He…
»Caught Tobacco-Free Kids lying about Philip Morris’ opposition to a FDA regulation of tobacco.
- »Uncovered the American Cancer Association’s false claims that tobacco companies lie about the ingredients of cigarettes.
- »Noted that the U.S. anti-smoking group ASH is advocating denying medical treatment to smokers.
- »Exposed Tobacco-Free Kids’ efforts to raise money for “brainwashing†kids.
- »Got a Minnesota anti-smoking group to backtrack on a misleading claim that 30 minutes of exposure to environmental smoke can lead to a heart attack.
- »Debunked a claim that 20 minutes of exposure to smoke could make a healthy adult’s risk of stroke the same as a pack-a-day smoker.
- »Got the American Lung Association to pull a TV advertisement equating smoking around children with the physical abuse of children.
As you can see, the anti-tobacco nuts keep Siegel busy with a never ending supply of bad science. And for his efforts to stop these rabid activists from playing fast and loose with the facts, Siegel has been called “a traitor†and a “tobacco stooge.â€
Here at StogieGuys.com, we disagree with Siegel about the need for any smoking bans. Smoking is a personal freedom and responsibility issue, where owners of private property, like restaurants and bars, should be free – but never compelled by the government – to enforce bans.
Still, we’re glad Siegel’s there, exposing the lies of those who won’t be happy until there is global tobacco prohibition.
Tags: cigars
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"Got a Minnesota anti-smoking group to backtrack on a misleading claim that 30 minutes of exposure to environmental smoke can lead to a heart attack."
With statements like that it is amazing that anyone takes these health nazis seriously!
Living in Minnesota that statement doesn't surprise me. OSHA did a study at local bars in St. Louis Park MN and when there were smokers in the bar area, the smoke in the room was far less then what OSHA would deem a serious problem for a working environment.
Its really hard to get people to fight these nazi like laws that are passing around the country. People think, oh well its smoking they are banning, but underneath these laws the issue is actually private property rights being taken away.