May 1st is just around the corner and we thought we should issue a timely reminder of what your government has done to the hospitality industry, society, smokers and their tolerant friends.
They say: smoking bans have caused no economic hardship to the pubs and clubs.
We say: perhaps you could explain that to the 2000 + venues that have closed down since July 1st 2007. For balance we can tell you that only 104 venues closed in 2005, and only 208 closed in 2006. Around 42,000 people are now unemployed thanks to this unnecessary smoker ban.
They say: smokers cost the NHS an exhorbitant sum to treat.
We say: smokers pump over £10 Billion into the Treasury every year. Treatment costs are around £1.5 billion. For every treatment we pay for for ourselves, we pay for an additional 5 treatments for non smokers. This is a very generous move on our part. And they call us selfish? The reverse is true. Of course, the Dutch study a few months ago has helped to put costs in perspective, and the figures bear repeating: the healthy cost £215,000 to treat over a lifetime, the obese cost £187,000 and we smokers? Just £165,000. Let's hear no more of this nonsense about smokers costing more. It is patently obvious that we do not.
They say: the science supports a smoker ban.
We say: in reality, it does not. For every study that claims second hand smoke is harmful, there are SIX that say it isn't.
They say: second hand smoke kills 13,000 people per year in the UK.
We say: if this were true, the government would have no trouble at all responding with just three names of those slaughtered. We continue to ask, as we have for over three years now, and the answer is always the same: "We cannot name three. We have no conclusive evidence that SHS kills anyone".
I could go on with dozens of examples of their disjointed and unproven thinking but I am fairly certain you get the picture. Not only have they backed the wrong horse, they continue to take betting advice from a bent bookie.
You may be feeling a little powerless right now. But the good news is that collectively, we hold all the cards. We have the power to determine who gets those plum jobs on May 2nd. We have an opportunity to send the politico's a message that will hurt them for years. If we get it right.
The Labour party stopped listening to you and me many years ago. They need a short sharp rap on the knuckles. We need to ensure that they do not ignore us again. Despite their own ONS survey in which 67% of the nation said they favoured restrictions on public smoking, not a blanket ban, they went ahead anyway. I would like you to have a look at the link below which will tell you how they voted on February 14th 2007. If your local MP voted for the blanket ban, do not tick his/her box on May 1st. If they voted against, and you feel they are worthy of your support, by all means vote for them. If they abstained, I suggest you do the same. Abstain from voting for them if they couldn't be bothered to vote for your freedoms.
The Liberal Democrats obviously share the same information source as the Labour party. Again, check the list, and vote accordingly. LibDems who voted against the ban are very thin on the ground. Let's demonstrate the power of the smoking vote to this disgraceful excuse for a political party.
The Conservatives? In actual fact, around two thirds of them voted against a blanket ban and you would think that they intended to restore choice for all. In reality, David Cameron, who has quit smoking, is on the record as saying that the smoker ban is just fine and peachy. So, no hope there. Once more, you should have a look at the list and do what's right.
Which leaves us with UKIP. This is the only party that have promised to redress the balance and re-introduce choice to the citizens, and to the owners/managers of our pubs and clubs. Voting for UKIP on May 1st is, in my humble opinion, a very clever thing to do. They are the only sensible party that stand out against the rest. The "big" three are indivisible. They are clones of each other and they all sup from the same tainted well of information. They do not deserve your vote. They are out of touch with Britons and they should be strongly reminded of that fact.
This is your chance to remind MP's that they serve us. Not the other way around. They are the servants, we are the master.
Use the information below to vote strategically.
Use the information below to send your message.
Use the information below to regain control.
Use the information below to punish them for the harm they have done to our hospitality industry, to our social lives, and for the lies they have told.
Use the information below to say "Enough is enough".
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