Smoking In Canada

This is written by my friend Frank.
The fact that the Edmonton Journal printed it says alot.

http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/letters/story.html?id=aeeb5657-1cbc-4013-8bcf-010de771a3dc

Demonizing smokers

The Edmonton Journal

Tuesday, December 13, 2005

Smoking at the Alberta legislature: This is yet another example of the extreme and disturbing direction the war on smokers has taken.

What exactly is the message Les Hagen and other anti-smoking zealots are trying to convey? Is it that the mere sight of a smoker will traumatize children for

the rest of their lives? That smokers are vile, evil people who should be quarantined or, at the very least, be kept out of sight? That contact with smoke from a pipe, cigar or cigarette means instant death?

If so, Alberta should import a series of television ads condoned and paid for by the province of Ontario that portrays smokers as being incredibly stupid and dirty, filthy people. One of the commercials graphically illustrates that smokers stink like dog poop.

Isn't it time the media, politicians and the general public take a step back and begin to question just how far the deliberate campaign to denormalize and demonize smokers has gone? In the name of all that is decent, it's the right thing to do.

Frank Zaniol, Niagara Falls, Ont.
© The Edmonton Journal 2005