We are greeted this morning with the drab news that Argentina has joined the ranks of the “Dumb & Dumber” brigade as they are welcomed into the world of enforceable smoking bans. Apparently, the legislation includes banning tobacco advertising and sponsorship. My mind immediately turns to loss of revenue as advertising agencies are immediately frozen out from a massive source of revenue and tobacco sponsorship in sport has always been huge. Still, yet again it seems the WHO have woven a magical web of lies & deceit to bring another South American ban. I also find it incredible that Argentina, to date, owe the WHO US$ 4,306,061.00!
Aging Period Amount
(US$)
Balance Due for less than 90 Days 1,332,890.00
Balance Due for 90 Days or more 2,973,171.00
Total 4,306,061.00
Why is it that yet another country is paying this self-elected bunch of ‘law-makers’ more than US$1m per annum to slaughter their own economy? Can no-one see what is going on here? Surely, if the nation was awash with cash it wouldn’t ‘owe’ the WHO two or three years ‘subs’-would it?
The usual suspects were out in force with their words of wisdom as Senator Daniel Filmus, described the legislation as one of “the most advanced in the world” and said “it would save thousands of lives.” Interesting statement that, because I can find no evidence, worldwide, of actual lives saved by any smoking ban! Can anybody help me with that one?
It is also amazing how every country trots out the same old statements about the health of the nation. Pakistan implemented a smoking ban back in 2003 (just look who’s heavily involved at the bottom of the link!) yet as soon as they get a drop of water we are sending them £73m in aid!Four years ago, 2007, was no different as aid was rushed to the country-again! I think the WHO could be helping Pakistan (and others similarly placed) far better by implementing manual aids to avert such disasters better than these pathetic dictatorial measures which immediately cut a countries revenue!
Nearer home, just over Hadrian’s Wall actually, the Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) has actually grown ‘a pair’ and held a meeting with Dutch & Croatian bars owners to try and find a solution to their own pub crisis. Apparently the Scots have seen 800 pubs close since the inception of their ban in 2006. In all honesty, what did they expect? Did the SLTA actually think that the smoking ban would be good for business and that’s why they never got off their collective’s backsides to fight for their survival? Plenty of moaning but no fight. Mind you, look at the English & Welsh licensees-what use have they been?
The best slur of the day on smoking (and its possible effects) are left to the Daily Mail as they have decided to portray their ‘darling’ as a 17 year old, fresh onto the catwalks of the world, done up like a dog’s dinner and in wedding dress against Kate Moss now, 20 years later! How pathetic of them, almost as if trying to point out that smoking changes your whole look/appearance, as if Kate has suddenly aged 20 years! Well actually she has as it is a photo of her aged 17 comparing her to now, aged 37! It truly is journalism at its pathetic worst but even having retired from the catwalks for 7 years Kate still wowed the crowds.
She is a high-profile smoker but she is a diamond as she refuses to kowtow to this anti-smoking jihad so many seem so fearful of. Good on yer Kate. Another nation falls victim to smoking bans but another individual happily sticks two fingers up to the establishment-same old same old!