The Anti-Smoking Movement and the Threat to Liberty
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ECD: Essentially, false science is being used to promote policies which impact upon the freedom of others - I think we have seen that with a publican being sentenced to six months in jail for allowing smoking in his pub. What, in your opinion, are the implications for freedom in the UK?
David: First of all, when it comes to second hand and third hand smoke, the fact that scientists are being financially motivated to mislead the general public has enormous implications for freedom in this country. And I draw a parallel with climate change, where scientists who were being paid for by the United Nations or other interested parties have what appears to have blatantly misled people on the effects of climate change. If you can't get an honest answer out of a scientist who can you get an honest answer out of?
Also, the government has set this precedent that they can dictate, on private property, what you can and what you can't do. Smoking cigarettes is quite legal, and I can't see any philosophical argument for banning smoking in a pub, particularly when if you don't like smoking or you are allergic to smoking or for whatever reason you have every single right not to be there.
ECD: And also the government are now putting the blame on other people for allowing that to happen.
David: Yeah, indeed, yes. It is another example of the way in which personal responsibility in this country has been compromised. I really think that the long term aim is the illegalisation of tobacco.
ECD: Although that would be a disaster - you just have to look at prohibition in America - it would lead to massive smuggling, And don't you think that some things just become more attractive when they are illegal?
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