“The War on Smokers and the Rise of the Nanny State”
One of our Own Documents the Trilogy, and What We Should Do About It
By: J. Glynn Loope, Executive Director
In the young life of Cigar Rights of America, it's a special moment when you can say “a CRA member has published a book” – about anything - much less a book on what is fundamentally the mission and work of CRA. Of course, Theodore J. King didn't know that CRA was being created when he was undertaking his research for his book, but he does now.
Ted King has published what can only be characterized as a manifesto for our membership. Through his book “The War on Smokers and the Rise of the Nanny State,” he not only addresses the modern day drama that surrounds the attempts to facilitate prohibition of tobacco, but the historic context of this issue we each confront as cigar enthusiasts. King takes us back to 1632 when it was illegal in Massachusetts to smoke within five miles of any town [21 st century Mayor of Boston Tom Menino must have been catching up on his history when he recently facilitated a ban on outdoor smoking.]
We wonder though if King's book could plant some thoughts that modern day nannies have not considered. For instance, he writes that in 1633 Turkish Sultan Murad would have you executed for smoking in public, and Russian Czar Alexis in 1634 would have you publicly whipped, nose slit or shipped off to Siberia for tobacco use. In 1674 Russia , it had moved to death for a first offense. He expounds on the anti-tobacco rules of Nazi Germany, and related international efforts to ban use of tobacco.
King then walks us through the efforts in modern America to ban smoking, coupled with the hypocrisy and down right silly approach many states have taken to pass such legislation. He does so through a well researched approach to noting the serious contradictions in health studies, and the means by which the health-based non profits manipulate statistics to meet their needs. He further does an outstanding job of documenting the [actual] adverse economic impact of smoking bans, as well as the approaches states take to tobacco taxation, that actually results in less money coming into public coffers.
Ted King allows us to travel with him in these pages on his trip through Europe , and their approach and the subsequent impact of smoking bans. He notes the dramatic closure of pubs, and the diminished atmosphere that was such a part of the culture in England , Scotland and Ireland .
King does a methodical job of documenting the contradictions, flawed methodologies, and hidden facts surrounding studies produced by the American Cancer Society, Centers for Disease Control, and the Surgeon General's Report. When he confronts those behind these studies and public proclamations, he gets a simple “oops.”
He also does a masterful job of highlighting the extremes of the anti-tobacco movement. From evicting nursing home tenants for smoking outside, to the ability to call 911 to report someone smoking in a community near you - stories that in any other time would be a work of fiction, but are unfortunately true.
He rightly notes that this is just the beginning. “They” are on their way to wanting to regulate food and weight. Just to make we cigar enthusiasts feel better, he highlights efforts to regulate fast food establishments through local zoning (a concept in Alexandria , Virginia for smoking) and legislation in Mississippi that would have prevented food service at a restaurant if you were deemed overweight.
King also presents his ideas on addressing the future. Such concepts as establishing smokers' clubs, acts of civil disobedience, politically organizing bars and related establishments, and related compromises that are actually solutions that have been proposed by CRA in recent battles.
Ted King has placed between the cover of his book a wonderful overview of what we confront on a daily basis, as well as a review of “how it can be worse,” and what can be done to stem the tide of lost freedom. His sarcasm and direct affronts to noted and current political leaders only dramatize the passion that he shares with us – and he's a member of Cigar Rights of America.
On a personal note, I was determined to have a cigar throughout the entire reading. It's a “5-7 cigar” book.
