Ban all tobacco - US health chief

Guardian ^ | Thursday June 5, 2003 | Duncan Campbell

[Ethan Clive Osgoode]

Richard Carmona, the surgeon general of the United States, has said he would support the abolition of cigarettes and all tobacco products, the first time that such a senior public health official has taken that kind of stand over the industry.

Dr Carmona's statement was welcomed yesterday by anti-smoking organisations and condemned by the tobacco industry. The Bush administration, which enjoys the support and financial backing of the tobacco industry, yesterday distanced itself from the abolition position.

The US already has some of the toughest anti-smoking legislation in the world. California has led the way. Last year it banned smoking in all areas next to playgrounds or "tot lot" areas. Similar measures are being considered nationwide.

The state, which has banned smoking in public buildings, bars and restaurants, is also considering a ban in some flats. Delaware has a similar ban. Connecticut will impose one from April, and this week Maine moved towards a ban. New York has banned smoking in bars and restaurants.

Ordinances framed also by local councils curtailing cigarette smoking are introduced almost weekly. Santa Monica recently made it an offence, punishable by a £160 fine, to dispose of "smoking-related waste" in a public park.

There have, however, been few suggestions that tobacco should be banned altogether.

Dr Carmona made his controversial remarks while giving evidence to energy and commerce sub-committee hearings at Congress on smoking products that supposedly cut the risk of cancer. Asked if he would support the abolition of "all tobacco products", he said: "I would at this point, yes." He would "support banning or abolishing tobacco products" and saw "no need for any tobacco products in society".

One of the country's leading anti-smoking campaigners, Jeffrey Wigand, the head of Smokefree Kids, said: "I applaud him. I hope that stirs people up to do something. This would set a tremendous precedent and would have a major effect on world health."

Mr Wigand, a tobacco industry whistleblower who was portrayed by Russell Crowe in the film The Insider, said it was notable that such a senior public health official was so outspoken. "There are 460,000 deaths directly attributable to tobacco in the United States every year. The World Health Organisation estimates that by 2015 tobacco will be killing more than 10m a year."

He said that the US, as the leading exporter of tobacco, had a particular responsibility to regulate tobacco use.

But, representing the tobacco giant Philip Morris USA, Brendan McCormick, said yesterday he did not believe Dr Carmona's views were widely shared."We have had experience with prohibition [in the 1920s when alcohol was banned] and that turned out to be a disaster."

Dr Carmona's remarks are unlikely to lead to any radical moves by the administration. The tobacco industry is a longtime supporter of the Republican party and there have been objections by conservative and libertarian commentators to restaurant smoking bans.

The White House yesterday said that Dr Carmona's remarks represented his views as a doctor, not those of the administration, whose main focus was discouraging young people from smoking. About 45m Americans smoke, in a population of 280m.

Tobacco companies have altered their strategies on the issue of regulation. Philip Morris is running adverts urging teenagers to "think, don't smoke". They say their products are aimed at adults and the issue is one of freedom of choice.

One of the latest anti-smoking campaigns is over cigarettes in films. The public has been urged to complain by writing to actors who smoke on screen. Tobacco firms denied that they paid for actors to use their products in films.

[Uncle Miltie]

Conservatives & Libertarians believe people are Free to Smoke. Liberals believe smokers are a Source of Taxes.

There is no large political group so opposed to smoking as to ban it.

[clintonh8r]

Of all the useless federal government jobs, Surgeon General is the most useless. Recently we've had a masturbation coach, replaced by some guy who was dumber than plywood, an Abe Linclon look-alike, and now a nico-Nazi. We could start cutting expenses by abolishing this stupid office and its attendant bureaucracy.

[Just another Joe]

Already posted here.

[JohnGalt]

"The White House yesterday said that Dr Carmona's remarks represented his views as a doctor"

His views as a neo-puritanical Nazi perhaps...

[Reelect President Dubya]

Richard Carmona, the surgeon general of the United States, has said he would support the abolition of cigarettes and all tobacco products, the first time that such a senior public health official has taken that kind of stand over the industry.

Tobacco prohibition is as stupid an idea as there is, but I would love to see it happen for one simple reason:

To watch the city/state/federal agencies that derive their income from tobacco taxes shriek their greedy little heads off.

[AzSteven]

Of course, this is the Guardian. He may have actually said "I love cigarettes; I smoke four packs a day and they have never hurt me." and the Guardian would manage to twist that into "Ban them all".

[steve50]

To watch the city/state/federal agencies that derive their income from tobacco taxes shriek their greedy little heads off.

Of course we'd need a Tobacco Czar to handle the scofflaws.

[Poohbah]

Tobacco prohibition is as stupid an idea as there is, but I would love to see it happen for one simple reason:

To watch the city/state/federal agencies that derive their income from tobacco taxes shriek their greedy little heads off.

It would be fun to watch.

[Centurion2000]

Richard Carmona, the surgeon general of the United States, has said he would support the abolition of cigarettes and all tobacco products

Prohibition failed dude. Get over it.

[gathersnomoss]

Sure. No problem. All fags are no longer available to the public.

Now....what taxes are you going to raise to make up for the sucking sound left by your bonehead decision, Mr Carmona?

I thought so, let's just move on, ok?

[Doctor Stochastic]

The War On Tobacco will be as much fun to watch as The War On Drugs.

[berserker]

Packs of Marlboro cigarettes are counted and packed into cartons at the Phillip Morris plant in Concord, N.C., in this June 20, 1997 file photo. U.S.-made Marlboro cigarettes contains up to twice the dose of a major tobacco carcinogen as foreign-brand cigarettes, federal officials said Friday, May 30, 2003. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)

[Weimdog]

Bush needs to fire this bastard immediately!

[nobdysfool]

Richard Carmona, the surgeon general of the United States, has said he would support the abolition of cigarettes and all tobacco products, the first time that such a senior public health official has taken that kind of stand over the industry.

Let's change one word and see how it reads...

Richard Carmona, the surgeon general of the United States, has said he would support the abolition of alcohol and all alcohol products, the first time that such a senior public health official has taken that kind of stand over the industry.

Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it...

[joesnuffy]

Richard Carmona, the surgeon general of the United States, has said he would support the abolition of cigarettes and all tobacco products, the first time that such a senior public health official has taken that kind of stand over the industry.

Its one thing to advise people as one who is "an authority" and its quite another to command as one who is "in authority"... The surgeon general is an authority..who supports a police action against US citizens for smoking? Whats next ...like the Phily cop was heard to say.."Sometimes people just have to be forced to do things for their own good. (seat belts)

[eyes_only]

U.S.-made Marlboro cigarettes contains up to twice the dose of a major tobacco carcinogen as foreign-brand cigarettes, federal officials said Friday, May 30, 2003.

Try one of them thar Frenchie gouwaas or corporals... kick on 'em like a mule.

[conserv13]

At least he didn't encourage masturbation.

[FrankR]

"Of course we'd need a Tobacco Czar to handle the scofflaws"

No, what needs to happen is, the Department of Homeland Security should be notified that a terrorist, within the Administration, is advocating the denial of freedom, as guaranteed by the Constitution.

Certainly, if the Constitution can be interpreted to mean that only "militias can bear arms, then it can be interpreted as meaning we all have a right to smoke if we want.

I'm not advocating smoking, or promoting it; however, if they get away with this smoking-Nazism, then next comes Big Macs, skydiving, beer, and SUV's.

Everyday we see some whiney little group, or individual, trying to make their demented way of life, our way of life.

Our giving in to these "terrorists" only makes them more powerful. The group mentality says that if one person succumbs to these demands, we all follow. But at the same time, the ones who are demanding these looney behaviors are standing up, going against the grain. And what do we do? We give in, and let them.

If there isn't some counteraction from those who are still patriotic Americans, the elected officials only hear the whackos and radicals...and thus, cater to them.

Any city that trys to ban smoking, should be swamped by the "Million Smokers March". Even those who don't smoke should show up with a lit one in their hands...as this is not about smoking, IT'S ABOUT PERSONAL FREEDOMS, and allowing the government to take them away.

They KNEW they couldn't just walk in and take our guns, properter, etc. So, they're trying the "petty" things to see how to fight us and gain that control.

Already, SUV owners are scowled at by the "elite"...while at the same time, pickup trucks - which are SUV's without back seats, WITH the SAME ENGINE - are allow to pass, undaunted by the dissenters.

SMOKING is blasphemed...while drugs, booze and free (AID's laden) and perverted sex is condoned...even applauded in most liberal bastions of America. YOU CAN'T SMOKE, BUT YOU CAN HAVE SAME-SEX ALL DAY AND NO ONE SHOULD SAY ANYTHING? What is wrong with that picture?

bill clinton can get a BJ in the Oval Office, butYOU CAN'T SMOKE IN A BAR. YOU are SCUM if you drive an SUV. YOU are a bigoted homophobe if you don't personally believe in homosexuality as a way of life.

I have grandchildren, and I hurt to think what silly, commie-socialistic, liberal clap-trap they will have to endure when they are adults and during their lifetime. And the Government, TV, the school, et al, have them so neutered and brainwashed, they're going to be like the Eloi (sp?) in Wells' "Time Machine"...Pavlov's people, serving the master.

And all it would take to stop it all, is a loud, and determined "NO" from the people.

"NO, I will not support a candidate who supports all this trash.
NO, I will not buy products from companies that send American Jobs overseas.
NO, I will not sit still while my children are filled with un-American and gay propaganda in the schools.
NO, I will no attend Disney World on "GAY DAY".
NO, I will not hire illegal aliens for any job. but....YES, I will contact my representatives repeatedly, and constantly to voice my objection to the dumbing down of American children.

Folks, it AIN'T GONNA GET BETTER BY ITSELF. We didn't get into the socialist hole by doing nothing. The Socialist/Liberals are working overtime to come up with next demonstration, lawsuit, and demands to break down the American culture as we know it.

WE, as AMERICANS, do not know how NOT TO BE FREE. Freedom is our very breath and sustainence of life, and without it we die a slow and miserable death. After we're gone, America is a 3rd world country, to be pillaged and raped by every tin-horn dictator in the world.

It's already falling apart, our companies are falling apart, or moving away; Americans can no longer feel free to be Americans, lest we OFFEND some ILLEGAL alien who has sneaked into our country in the dead of night. How long will it be before they demand that high school English books be sub-titled in Spanish?

OK, I'm done...I'm ranted out...but banning tobacco is the camels nose in the tent...RAISE HELL. You don't think Conservative can strike fear...take a look at some of those films from the last election, when the Conservatives stormed that vote-counting room in Florida. I can still see the blood draining from the faces of those chad-counting liberals.

[clintonh8r]

Yep, Marlboros kick Gauloises' and Gitanes' asses!