As Clive Bates' post highlights, both the number of smokers and the quantity of cigarettes sold has always been increasing globally. In spite if shrill TC propaganda, There is no decline in smoking outside a few developed countries. Thus, TC calls to "turbocharge" elimination of smoking and make it happen within 30 years can only mean one thing: draconian antismoker measures leading to rampant atrocities and human rights abuses.
Endgame: the Islamic State approach to tobacco control | Anti-THR Lies and related topics
I will not be part of such an atrocious scheme and refuse to allow
vaping to be dragged onto such a course. The only viable way forward for smokers and vapers is to destroy the TC fundamentalist cabal and prosecute those criminals for their past and intended crimes against humanity.
As I see it, politically aware vapers are poised (very ready, very willing) to fight draconian anti-vaping measures.
But not so willing to fight draconian anti-smoking measures. And plausibly willing to fight for them. A visible division within our ranks is what I observe. Not sure how to get around this other than to challenge our members on what they believe about smoking and where they are getting that information from. I do this regularly and have yet to see a fellow vaper engage in the debate I consistently call forth, i.e. please provide data to back up 'your' claim that "smoking kills." It actually surprises me that no one does, and yet keep on spouting off information like "eCigs are the best way to address the number one cause of preventable death." Those last 7 words of the quote are the type of thing I wish fellow vapers thought long and hard about what they are espousing before going on about propping up eCigs as a legitimate activity.
That our members don't take up the challenge is a good thing, I think, but hard to tell if they (or us) don't do it because they realize the counter argument is feeble, or don't do it because they think the argument being put forth to them is too feeble to respond. As if I am arguing the earth is flat and it is not worth their time to try to explain to me just how round it is and all the abundant evidence we have to let us know the earth is not flat. I dunno. But do understand that if it is this challenging to overcome the false notions within our ranks, then it won't likely be any easier for average joes and janes who don't smoke and don't really care about the issue beyond what TC advocates have come up with. Seems everyone (including overwhelming majority of vapers) agrees smoking stinks, and that is enough reason to let them be banned or heavily restricted.
I do find it challenging to take the Clive Bates piece in entirely good faith when it doesn't address, or only barely addresses, what I would call fundamental issue of prohibition, which is non sales to minors. As long as our side is on board with that, then our side has said in the proverbial chess match, please take all of my pawns for I don't think they are really important. I think I can win the game without them. I mean, they are just pawns after all. And yet, we deal with propaganda daily that would make it seem like most adults (especially parents) treat minors as more valuable than a queen (in chess). So, I get a little confused by our side's take on this matter. I get that it is entirely politically expedient to not get hung up on the minor's issue, but don't get how you can be so anti-prohibition while also thinking a prohibition on minors will have little to no impact on a politics of adult usage. That strikes me as type of thinking a very novice chess player might engage in.
