A Welsh Miracle in MathematicsBelinda Cunnison
3rd October 2007.
Like Scotland and Helena, a miracle has been seen in Wales since the smoking ban was introduced in April. The lives of TWO HUNDRED NON-SMOKERS have been saved.
The evidence?
Look no further than two inches down the page ... the Chief Medical Officer in Wales says 'Every year an estimated 400 premature deaths of non-smokers will be averted by the ban.' Well, it does add up, doesn't it? Half of 400 is 200. And if the Chief Medical Officer says it, it must be right.
Obviously the critical word is 'estimated', and as usual we can point to the lack of evidence that tobacco consumption has declined.
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Eye-Spy WalesLoraine McGregor
18th September 2007.
I heard somewhere, a few months ago, that for every two people in the UK, there is one camera watching them. I had also thought that these cameras had been put in place to protect British citizens from serious crime and to make them feel safe. This is what HMG advised when they started to erect their spying, money making machines throughout the land.
It appears that now there is a fervent admirer of speed cameras in the shape of Richard Brunstrom , chief of North Wales Police, who is happy to gather CCTV evidence of smokers dropping litter in order to issue fines of £75.
It is not the smoker, but the smoking ban itself that has created this problem, and whilst no-one condones the dropping of ANY litter, it seems that smokers will be the prime target of this Big Brother tactic. Of course, the local councils could provide suitable bins for those who have been banished outside but that would cost money wouldn't it?? Better to persecute a few more human beings and rake in the financial rewards than make it easy for people to safely dispose of their waste.
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Welsh Bingo Halls SufferingColin Grainger
8th September 2007.
The Social Engineering Experiment of the decade continues.
Continues to fail, that is. It continues to cause financial and social harm.
I dont need to add anything here, the operators and their customers say it all quite nicely. Keep an eye on the final paragraph.
A pub closed down, but shush, keep it under your hat!
Closures should NOT be reported, hinted at, or otherwise disclosed.
The smoker ban is a MASSIVE success.
Remember?
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No Drinking At Lunchtime For The WorkersBelinda Cunnison
7th September 2007.
This piece is about how Welsh civil servants are no longer to be allowed in pubs or even to have a glass of wine over a lunchtime meal. The restriction is not to apply to elected representives of the Welsh Assembly.
This is the next stage in battles against civil liberties. There will be a new arny of complainants. Rightly, the writer points out that the spokesman for the Civil & Public Services Union is trying now to shut the gate after the horse has bolted.
Shame he didn't consider that when the blanket smoking ban was being forced through. As I've warned before, many times, you cannot pick and choose which of your civil liberties you are prepared to see banned. Too late now to complain about 'rights' when you've already opened the floodgates.
Good to see that the Publican is keeping a sceptical eye on developments.
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Welsh Pub ClosesColin Grainger
1st August 2007.
Another casualty. Another victim. This time a rural pub. A direct attack on the heart of a community.
The War on Smokers continues. The first casualty was the truth, as always, here is another casualty.
Look for the carefully constructed weasel words of the attacker, ASH, those whining bastards that brought this whole thing about.
Collateral damage, or blue on blue?
You decide.
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Deaf Man attacked for SmokingLoraine McGregor
22nd July 2007.
Another casualty of the ban, this time at a bus station in Wales.
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Tide turning: Welsh hospital votes for sheltersBelinda Cunnison
10th June 2007.
A health authority in Wales has voted to allow smoking shelters, proving that one can provide basic facilities for patients and visiting relatives without actively promoting smoking.
This is in marked contrast with the Scottish authority for the Western Infirmary in Glasgow, which earlier this year took a step in the opposite direction, and actually taking the step of closing the smoking shelters on the hospital site and planning their demolition. Local opinion reacted by rejecting the policy 4:1 on an Evening Times poll. See
article
Contrast the reasonable view of the North Glamorgan NHS Trust: "Forcing people to go outside the perimeter fence to smoke does not portray a caring, empathetic environment. Even though there is a body of opinion that banning smoking within hospital grounds would send out a strong health promotion message, this is unachievable and fails to address clinical addiction and the effect of such a ban on patients and staff and its consequences in reality."
Not ideal of course but a welcome recognition that the purist ambitions of the anti-smoking lobbies cannot be achieved by the health authority without compromising its duty of care to those spending time on its premises. They also say in no uncertain terms that they are not capitulating to Big Tobacco, simply recognising the limits of what they can do to encourage people to stop smoking.
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So What's New?Blad Tolstoy
11th April 2007.
icwales, I see nothing...what's new?
Well, here we go, the usual as icwales-I see nothing carries the flag for the Welsh Ass's smoking ban.
Now let's a-lookee here at this...er...story.
Why, it's the usual. Are we surprised? No! It's the immediate after ban rubbish that everything is a raging success.Yippeeee!
Hmm, but haven't we, who are far more clued up than the press, seen this all before?
Indeed so, it's the same pattern that emerged after both the Irish and Scottish bans. Novelty for a week or two and tears six months (or even less) down the line. Certainly, let's sadly remember the 1000+ Irish pubs that have gone bust and the over two hundred that have already gone in Scotland. Add to that all the job loses and to boot the accompanying increased smoking rates and you have two fiascos.
I know some of you are very tired of reading this press baloney and are wondering why those who write this drivel never do any proper homework. Well they don't, but if any stray journos visiting this site will take note, a few months down the line, this will be just another sad story where hard fought for businesses lose out, jobs are lost and social segregation rules.
icwales gets the Blad Tolstoy Award for Welsh Peabrain Newspaper of the month.
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No More Welcome in the HillsideLoraine McGregor
3rd April 2007.
Will there be many welsh voices singing the praises of the smoking ban?
The Welsh ban came into effect at 6am on 2nd April and there have been many various news article reporting differing opinions. Personally, I like the Channel 4 report which is brief and well balanced. Ironic though that a smoker is welcoming the ban but a non-smoker says, "It's going to really frustrate those people who just go to the pub to have a smoke and a pint. There are certain environments where it's not harming anyone, because everyone smokes, so there's no point having a blanket ban."
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Smoke by Invitation OnlyLoraine McGregor
3rd April 2007.
Smokers will be applying for invitations to a newly constructed pub built by a welsh property developer to accomodate his smoking friends now that the ban has been enforced in Wales.
"Kerry Morgan, from Briton Ferry, near Neath, has constructed a 90-seat bar complete with jukebox, big screen TV, beer on draught and no ban on smoking."
Something tells me he may have to build an extension in the very near future!
Way to go Kerry!!
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None so blind as they at 'IC'Blad Tolstoy
19th March 2007.
icwales? What do they see? Certainly not Wales.
The journalists at this decrepit rag have the investigative flair of a bunch of old ladies on a picnic.
Just read the drivel and digest the lies. The pub ban will not be good for either Wales or England and if these nitwits did some proper research they would know this....
So let's remind ourselves at the post ban situation in Ireland as it now stands with our figures taken from the LVA and a number of press sources.
Pubs now gone bust = 1,000+.
Jobs lost by the beginning of last summer = 12,000 (more now).
At least 20,000 more smokers in Ireland now then there would have been if the ban had not taken place.
Gallagher tobacco have announced for two years running a 4% increase in profits.
R.J. Carroll have also announced a rise in profits.
A thriving and booming black market in tobacco products which the Irish government is unable to control.
More young people smoking.
Loads of adapted outdoor areas plus countless secret back rooms and lock-ins.
So, how did icwales miss out on this?
Equally, the closures in Scotland are already rising with Scotland's Health Minister Andy Kerr telling outright fibs to sustain his cause when he says:
"There is no evidence to suggest that pubs, cafes or restaurants will go out of business as a direct result of the smoking ban coming into effect. People do not go out just to smoke and drink, but to socialise with friends and colleagues."
You are a liar Andy - go and tell that to the people of Glenrothes and the county of Fife because they will laugh in your face.
I have only one final comment to make about the reporters at icwales: IDIOTS!
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Another Article From the Biased BBC.Blad Tolstoy
2nd March 2007.
Well here we have another article from the biased BBC as it reports uncritically and as usual on the smoking ban coming up in Wales.
They say decent journalism is now at a premium and it's hardly surprising when one of the media "leaders" sets such a poor example. I always thought the BBC was supposed to be a serious news-reporting corporation but indeed it's not. Instead it has become yet another dead-brained arm of prohibition and vacuous stupidity for which I resent having to pay a yearly fee. So let's scrap it or privatise it.
As for the content of this blurb dressed up as news, it is the usual piece of nonsense from the Ass. Yes, minion mouthpiece Deputy Health Minister John Griffiths restates the same old codswallop "second hand smoke kills."
Just to remind the readers (as if they need reminding) the Ass's report by its Committee on Smoking in Public Places was a poorly researched waste of taxpayers' money. This committee did not know how to dissect the material it was presented with and arrogantly ignores any constructive criticism of its puerile efforts.
Thanks to the ban, a very large number of pubs in Wales will be closing. Over 1000 have now gone in Ireland and that was even picked up by The Times. We are sure that the Ass will express surprise at this "unforeseen consequence" but we know it shouldn't do so really as it has been amply warned.
So following the wandering clock to help people in Wales to learn to tell the time, the Ass passes around its single brain cell and we shall wait with baited breath for its next bodice ripping anti-smoker wheeze.
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All the Fours - Close The Doors!Blad Tolstoy
19th February 2007.
Welsh Assembly sets out to destroy businesses and lifestyles.
Yes indeed, Wales' plucky little Assembly is on a holy crusade.It is determined to bring out a smoking ban, and before England too!
Cymru am Byth!
Of course, many will ask themselves what is this holy crusade about? Well, good question. If we look at Ireland, Scotland, Canada and America (and judging by the outcomes) the aims would appear to be as follows:
To close lots of pubs and bingo halls and probably a few cafés as well and put a lot of people out of jobs. (Mmmm, yummy!)
To increase the amount of cigarettes and tobacco consumed in Wales. (Brilliant!)
To increase the number of smokers in Wales. (Oh, healthy.)
To create a wonderful black market in tobacco products in Wales, thereby increasing criminal activity. (That's logical.)
To create a rift between people who smoke and people who don't.(Cool.)
To drive elderly and disabled people out into the cold to smoke.(Excellent!)
To force people to waste pounds of money on near useless NRT products so certain pharmaceuticals can grow rich. (Always wanted to do that.)
To create a new sub-class of people to hate, namely smokers. (Oh, take me to it! I'm having an orgasm!)
To scare people to death with exaggerated codswallop about the dangers of second hand smoke. (Yeah, good one, keep 'em dumb and frenzied!)
Yes folks, this is the reality of smoking bans which the majority of the Welsh Ass does not want to see. Hardly surprising, its report by the Committee on Smoking in Public Places was written by mentally deficient idiots with a foregone conclusion in mind. When it a came to business it took the words of tobacco control advocates over traders and, guess what? Guess what boys and girls? When it came to ventilation issues it consulted our old pal Jimmy Repace. Aha, scammer first class. This is the Jimmy... yeah you guessed it... Repace that said it takes hurricane force winds to blow smoke out of bars and hospitality venues. HeeHee, candy from a baby!
Of course, have you noticed how when a hospitality outlet becomes non-smoking, a couple of weeks later the anti-smokers go in and say how wonderful the air is and how superb the atmosphere is? Funny that, because there won't have been a hurricane force wind blowing through after the smokers leave. Yeah, Ooheeoo! Still a highly toxic environment then.
Just wait for the first Ass post ban scam though and this is uncle Blad's prediction. Why bring the ban in during the spring? Well, come summertime they'll probably bring out a report which says that in just three months or so people's respiratory problems have improved. Then, they'll compare the summer figures with the ones for this last winter and say: "see, see how since last winter respiratory problems have decreased!" Of course, the oldest trick in the book. Compare the summer figures with winter ones and this is a guaranteed result because in summer people suffer with less respiratory problems anyway.
Pity the press hasn't been much smarter though. After all they are supposed to make the public aware of the results of stupid laws produced by politicians. Nah, not the press. Investigative journalism? Forget it! Oh no, they're far too busy towing the conventional line and selling copy with scare stories about second-hand smoke!
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Ciggy-Ciggy-Ban-VanBlad Tolstoy
9th February 2007.
The Welsh Assembly, more commonly known as 'the Ass' will be touring a large clock around Wales to make sure that people can tell the time. This is because it has been drawn to their attention that Welsh people are too poor to afford watches.
There is a common expression that people will be expressing in response to this wheeze concocted by politicians with the mental development of 8 year olds: 'Twll Din!'
Two articles - but you can comment on this one:
Tenby Today
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The April Fools!...Loraine McGregor
2nd February 2007.
The Welsh National Assembly couldn't organise a p*** up in a brewery!!!! And we pay these people to make our decisions for us. If they can't get a simple thing like this right!!!! How many months has someone had to work to pay in taxes for this major... ummmm.... error in judgment? Someone supply them with a copy of their own regulations and a (calibrated) tape measure please.
You can't leave a comment on this one. How strange!! :)......
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Welsh AMs Try for Ban DelayLoraine McGregor
30th January 2007.
Understandably, the Welsh are worried about their businesses, especially those near to the border with England, who will undoubtedly lose customers commuting to smoker-friendly pubs in England between April and July. Three AMs have mounted a challenge to try to delay the ban until July 1st. The Welsh Assembly will vote on it today. We wish them luck!
In February 2005, this is how the LVA (Wales) expected a smoking ban to affect their members trade
Committee Report.
Full story from the BBC....
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Peter Hain is Right to Swim Against the Tide4th January 2007.
This is not the first time that Peter Hain has swam against the tide and he is right to do so for all the reasons given by all those who object to raising the age for the purchase of cigarettes from 16 to 18. Wake up prohibitionists and crack in the door visionaries, the same limit placed on alcohol does not prevent young people from drinking and a major problem with raising the age limit is that many of those young people affected will simply purchase on the black market. This means they will be consorting with criminals. Do you want that?....
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'The Weasel Takes A Trip'9th December 2006.
Welsh Assembly health minister Dr. Brian Gibbons is touring non-smoking businesses in Wales spreading the unsubstantiated death tolls from passive smoke. His political 'photo ops' are apparent as he enters an already non-smoking cafe and tells everyone how well documented the health dangers of passive smoke are. They may be well documented Brian but that of course doesn't make them true....
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Conway Pub Does a U Turn on No-Smoking PolicyLoraine McGregor
2nd December 2006
With only 4 months left before Welsh smokers join Scotland on the pavements of Britain, a Conway Publican lets his smoking customers back in. Merry Christmas Guys.
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Licensee's Have Little Time To Prepare For The Ban27th November 2006
Welsh licensees will will be under severe pressure to prepare for the smoking ban which comes into force on 2nd April 2006, as final regulations will not be made available until early in the new year....
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