Posted on 06/15/2014 12:44:00 AM PDT by nickcarraway
In a major coup for public health and safety the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria has banned smoking, alcohol, and guns in the provinces it conquered just days ago, the International Business Times reports.
The Sunni militant group, which seized control of Iraq’s second largest city Thursday and is pushing toward Baghdad, “has a surprisingly sophisticated bureaucracy,” according to the Atlantic. “In Raqqa, they forced shops to close for selling poor products in the suq (market) as well as regular supermarkets and kebab stands—a move that was likely the work of its Consumer Protection Authority office.”
ISIS explained its opposition to smoking back in January after conquering the Syrian province of Raqqa, calling it a “slow suicide” and saying that “every smoker should be aware that with every cigarette he smokes in a state of trance and vanity is disobeying God.”
Approximately 40% of male Iraqis and 60% of male Syrians smoke, according to recent surveys.
Smoking is not categorically banned in Islam, although some Islamic leaders have issued tobacco fatwas prohibiting cigarette and hookah consumption — possibly under the influence of foreign anti-tobacco NGOs.
The Iraqi government had repeatedly tried and failed to institute smoking bans in public places, much to the ire and confusion of many Iraqis. ”We want Saddam back,” said one Iraqi in 2009, when the government first tried to bass the pan. “You could do anything during Saddam’s time.” As the Washington Post noted at the time, the ban was likely motivated by a desire “to shake off Iraq’s image as a battle-ravaged, lawless country.”
The militants have gained control of the region with astonishing celerity, taking cities in fractions of the time it took US forces during the Iraq War. “Tuesday saw ISIS overrun Mosul in one night as security forces fled the city,” noted National Journal correspondent Kaveh Waddell. “The coalition campaign to take the city in 2004 took over a week and failed to stabilize the city.”
Smoking bans are increasingly popular in the United States, with an estimated 80% of Americans living under a ban in “workplaces, and/or restaurants, and/or bars,” according to the American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation. “If you want to live longer and healthier…come to New York City,” said Mayor Bloomberg in 2011, crowing about the increased life expectancy of NYC residents in the years after his landmark smoking ban. Maybe that’s what the Jihadis had in mind.
Heard the women had to be veiled.
So they’re Michael Bloomberg with a beard and a “pet” goat?
And now the left/MSM will fall in love with these head choppers.
What a relief. I thought they would simply march them down to the local soccer stadium, and blow them all into next week.
You beat me to it...it’s now like New York with more sand! Wonder if the jihadi’s let your drink Coke?!?
If you want to be a martyr and blow yourself up, why worry about lung cáncer?
Can you say "Rules of Engagement?"
Sure. I knew you could. < /Rogers >
This further adds to the proof that mooselimbs are meddling liberals. Is it any wonder why leftists and muzzies are invariably on the same side of the issues?
It’s a typical BS statement the Atlantic likes to make.
It took ISIS over 4 years before they could take Mosul, Fallujah and Ramadi. Most of the cities we took we just drove right in -including Fallujah and Ramadi. Getting rid of the insurgents took another 4 years. If the Kurds want Mosul ISIS probably won’t even hold it for 4 days.
Agreed.
Sounds like a bunch of Dems to me.
What about booze. Just couldn’t resists
The commonality between the two is an insatiable desire to control others. Neither give a damn about humanity.
You beat me to it, also. No wonder the lib/commie types like and defend the Muslims. They're so much like them.
You sure this isn’t New York?
Are they gonna ban Big Gulps, too?
Why can’t we be friends... ATF is having a hard on.
....Until they too, are threatened with death via a FATWA.
What about them big swords, nobody needs big swords.
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