Monday
Dec012008
Who do they think they are?
Monday, December 1, 2008 A reader writes: "Did you hear Prof Karol Sikora [medical director, Cancer Partners UK] on the Today programme this morning? In the context of Peter Mandelson’s rumoured intervention to postpone the [tobacco] display ban, he said that politicians should not meddle in matters of public health! Who do these people think they are?"
The arrogance of it! The anti-smoking industry is more than happy when politicians are passing one law after another on the grounds of "public health", but when a politician questions the need for further legislation he (or occasionally she) is accused of interfering.
Reader Comments (9)
Banning cigarette displays, vending machines and enforcing plain packaging is sure to have very little effect on underage smoking; it will merely annoy adult smokers. Surely it is already illegal to sell cigarettes to under 18s and therefore the best measure is to enforce the law and increase the penalty so the downside of selling to children makes it not worth the risk: it would take only two offending shops to be shut down in a particular area for the proprietors of all the others to start asking for ID. Surely? Wouldn't it? But that wouldn't stop older law-abiding smokers would it? You know, I'd have much more respect for the government if they just banned smoking outright ...
politicians should not meddle in matters of public health!
I think this sort of statement only goes to show how the burgeoning empire of public health, which seeks to legislate in more and more areas of life, needs to be brought under political control. The tail is now wagging the dog.
If this empire is allowed to keep on expanding, what limits are there to it? Is not the management of the economy a matter of public health as well? What is to stop these jumped-up doctors demanding that bankruptcies and house repossessions end, for public health reasons?
The empire is also completely undemocratic, since it consists of a coterie of self-styled experts who only listen to their own voices.
It has to stop.
Now.
Health fascists should not get involved with politics.
They people arent even health experts- just control freaks in disguise! Same level as Jackboot Jackie and Harriet Harperson!
Here is the link if you want a listen.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/listen_again/default.stm
Prof Sikora was saying that he saw someone use a vending machine in the pub. It makes one wonder if he passed out from shock or anger.
"Politicians should not meddle in matters of public health".
Well Mr Sikora I notice your side did not whinge when all those politicians voted for the smoking ban, in the interest of ‘public health’.
He goes on to say "It is not the government’s job to try to defend public health purely on a business strategy".
What about big phama and NRT then?
Of course no complaints when the government health freaks decide in your favour.
Let them carry on, then one day, we will no longer be able to go to work as it will be far too much of a health and safety risk! Never mind SHS, that never killed anyone, people might be killed by cars or cyclists, on route to work; they could be mugged on the way home; they might slip off the kerb and break their ankle, hip or arm. Where will all this absolute nonsense end?
Finally the NSPCC (I believe) are saying that children NEED an element of risk in their lives, they are being overprotected and not allowed to be children. Hallelujah - someone has seen a chink of light!
When will adults be allowed again to behave as adults and take responsibility for their own actions and choices?
"Prof Sikora was saying that he saw someone use a vending machine in the pub."
What he didn't say was that the DoH paid young teenagers to go and see if they could do it. They want to ban vending machines as part of the 'make it as difficult for adult smokers as possible so that they give up to make it easier for themselves' campaign. To create evidence which had viability, they had to send under age kids in to get cigarettes from a machine.
Very few, if any under age teenagers would normally do this. Why pay well over £6 for a vending pack of 16 when they can get an older friend or sibling to get 20 for less than £5 at the corner shop.
Lyn, I was reading your comment and it reminded me of something I said yesterday to a friend of mine (a tolerant non smoker). They did a charity run on Sunday, well, they intended to, but they badly sprained their ankle, just a hairs breath away from a breakage. When they told me I said "keeping fit can seriously damge your health".
Well said timbone - I hope you know how spot on you are? How many people have heart attacks whilst exercising? Probably a hell of a lot more than do whilst smoking a ciggy or being in the presence of smokers, smoking!
I have ridden horses since I was 13 and worked with them on and off for many years, yet the only time I have broken anything is when I went ice skating 33 years ago! Some sports are more dangerous than others, but then again, wrong time, wrong place can also play a big part!
We all need to be allowed responsibility for our own actions!