Freedom To Choose is a volunteer group of members of the public who feel that the Government has lied to them on the smoking ban issue by not carrying though the promises made in its manifesto. Even more concern is surfacing since the Health Minister, Lord Warner, declared that there is a possibility of the ban extending to outside areas.

The argument that secondary smoke is dangerous was certainly not debated or held up for scrutiny and media debate has greatly over-represented the views of the NHS and ASH, whose scare-mongering tactics are all that most of the public saw and heard. What about the publicans, club secretaries, restaurant and cafe outlets and their patrons? Who consulted them?

Feelings are so intense that many of our members have given up their own free time to take a firm stance against this ban and are working toward making the Government listen

to the people of this nation, who feel cheated and disillusioned.

Our petition has, to date, exceeded 16,500 signatures and is still growing in number. It is available to download from F2C Downloads

With more legislation undoubtedly in the pipeline, spurred on by the Anti-smoking zealots, whose declared goal is a completely smoke free society, will not be satisfied until smokers are outlawed and driven from everywhere, even their private homes. The time has come to say “enough is enough” and we are now engaged in raising financial support through public donations, to fight this ban in every way we can and to challenge the Government at every opportunity.

We are currently active in many areas, including contacting the press to get a balanced view portrayed, we have had marches and are organising more, we give radio and television interviews, lobby MP’s both north and south of the border. We also have close ties with other like minded organisations all around the world, and we have support from as far away as Australia and Hawaii.

TO SUCCEED WE NEED YOUR HELP.

We hope to launch memberships in the near future and also hope that those who feel strongly enough to join us in this fight, will continue to make voluntary donations to the campaign. There is a discussion forum attached to our campaign and once registered you will be able to access a wealth of information, take part in various action groups and keep up to date with our progress, as well as meeting and talking to like minded people.