FORCES Canada is a newly formed organization in British Columbia.
We are the Canadian
affiliate of FORCES, based in San Francisco, California.
Both FORCES Canada and FORCES are non-for-profit organizations dedicated to the protection
and restoration of the civil and human rights of smokers. We have no link with the tobacco companies,
and we are supported solely by member donations and vounteer work.
The purpose of this organization is to take active action against the rising threat of a very
aggressive, government-backed anti-smoking agenda, having as its immediate goal the elimination
of smoking from all "public" places, and as a final goal the relegation of tobacco to a heavily controlled or forbidden
substance.
We consider this a state abuse, an insult to Canada's six million smokers, and we intend to fight
it with any means available, while proposing constructive, practical solutions
that can solve this useless confrontation, and accommodate the needs of both smokers and
nonsmokers.
In principle, we do not recognize that the state has the right to legislate on the behavior of citizens
when it comes to personal choice and lifestyle, regardless of the reason used to justify such
interference.
THE ISSUES
These are times of great danger for our liberties. We are going through a powerful backlash of
puritanism and repression, in stark contrast to the 60's evolution towards progress and
liberalization.
This is the best time for reactionaries to spread their cancer through society. In the 90's we are
looking at an unparalleled development of technology and statistics. These are just tools, but in
the wrong hands any science and statistic can be twisted into an instrument of repression.
One excellent example is the anti-smoking movement, where a monster industry has been
created on the issue of the dangers of smoking. Like every living thing, this industry needs
to grow and spread in order to perpetuate itself. When this monster will have consumed all
the resources, and destroyed all the liberties on its path, it will move on to other topics.
Backed by the government, and with money extorted from smokers through taxation, highly paid
"experts" have an opportunity to aggrandize their reputation and wallets. Fee-charging "quit
smoking" courses multiply like rats. More politicians jump on the bandwagon, pointing at tobacco
as the greatest killer of the century. Radio and TV talk shows based on the melodramatic abound.
Smokers are intimidated, and while the evidence on the negative effects of tobacco is blown out
of proportion, the evidence that tobacco is not so bad -- or even good -- is either suppressed, or
ignored.
There is no doubt that the anti-smokers are pushing very hard to prohibit the choice to smoke,
many times in unscrupulous ways.
Our job will be to push back with equal force.
Mr. Raymond Sasso, president of FORCES (USA) focuses very sharply on the issue:
"There is not one, but two issues concerning smoking. Anti-smokers have taken both those issues
and made them into one. They did this to get nonsmokers to become more anti-smoking and,
unfortunately, some have done just that. Nonsmokers must realize the very important difference
between these two issues.
The first is the secondhand smoke issue (ETS). The debate can go on about the real (or
contrived) dangers of second hand smoke. The only true and valid argument with second hand
smoke is accommodation.
If nonsmokers are accommodated, then why are so many anti-smokers extremely charged up with
the eventual elimination of smoking? It is the smoke screen they are using to try and ban
smoking. It is the link they have to make us healthier. If we will not do it voluntarily, they intend to
do it for us by force.
That leads to the second issue, the right of choice to smoke.
We all should realize the dangers of taking away any right of choice. The anti-smoking movement
is using the first reason to do just that. [In the USA] a bill was introduced into The House in June
1995 (H. R.1853), Freedom From Nicotine Addiction Act of 1995. This bill intends (if passed) to
eliminate nicotine from tobacco products by the year 2002. This bill may not pass, but the fact
that anti-smokers have gotten it into the House makes them even more dangerous! Where will
it stop? Label alcohol and caffeine as addictive drugs (which they are), then regulate it out of
products for our own good.
The right of choice issue is the most important issue involving smoking. Whether smoking is bad,
or second hand smoke is dangerous is secondary. Accommodations can be made for BOTH the
smoker and nonsmoker to make each group happy.
Smokers must realize this issue and try to support those who are lobbying on their behalf.
Nonsmokers should speak out and say that as long as they can be accommodated to the best
that they can, without excessive infringements, control of the product itself should be out of the
question."
