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.”

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.

-Patrick S

Tags: cigars