Last week our Chairman wrote about how F2C, among many others, was falsely accused by Tobacco Control people of threatening and harassing them. The story first appeared in The Guardian. Since then a similar article has appeared in the Daily Mail. Formal letters of complaint have now been sent by F2C to both newspapers.
However, we strongly made the point that for years smokers have been suffering threats and harassment as a result of the relentless work of this same Anti Smoking Industry.
We give just three examples.
In 2009 the above violent video showing a smoker getting beaten to death was produced by Birmingham North and East PCT. After a visit by Dave Atherton, Pat Nurse and local councillor Malcolm Davis, it was eventually, and reluctantly, taken down.
On 21 July 2011, the Luton Herald and Post published an article “Snipers could soon snuff out Smoking” by its reporter Alan Dee which called for “a squad of licensed snipers on the streets, with permission to pick off smokers whenever there’s a clear shot.”
And finally, a little history from 1980. Jimmy Repace, a long-time anti campaigner from the States, said regarding the failure of antismoking legislation in Maryland:
People aren’t going to stand for this. Now that the facts are clear, you’re going to start seeing nonsmokers becoming a lot more violent. You’re going to see fights breaking out all over.
Washington Star, April 5, 1980.
Hat tips to Pat Nurse, Simon Clark, and Magnetic01.