I kid you not

[Janetda]

If you haven't read Dr. S. blog today, take a look The Rest of the Story: Tobacco News Analysis and Commentary

He reports on ASH's recent idea that it's a good idea to charge a surcharge on smokers on their health care because, and really, I'm quoting here,

"…smokers are concentrated largely in the lower socioeconomic classes, they are less likely to be able to effectively object. A surcharge on the obese would arouse objections from a much larger segment of the population, including many people with considerable influence”.

 

[beebopnjazz]

Well that's an interesting case of discrimination - as far as surcharges for healthcare go- can we say "sin tax"? We've paid it - every pack of cigarettes/

And don't forget that 46 states sold out there share of those funds from the BT payout for the instant payday to fill their general budget shortfall .30 to .40 on the $1.

They couldn't wait to get their hands on the structured settlement funds - the states have received the healthcare funds already.

As for the insurance companies - they already charge a different rate for a smoker - when will the madness end?

 

[BigJimW]

I hate ASH. They are the misinformation factory of the world. Plus their website looks like ubber s*it.

 

[CJsKee]

Banzazz is so wrong on so many levels

 

[chrisl317]

If you haven't read Dr. S. blog today, take a look The Rest of the Story: Tobacco News Analysis and Commentary

He reports on ASH's recent idea that it's a good idea to charge a surcharge on smokers on their health care because, and really, I'm quoting here,

"…smokers are concentrated largely in the lower socioeconomic classes, they are less likely to be able to effectively object. A surcharge on the obese would arouse objections from a much larger segment of the population, including many people with considerable influence”.

Isn't the head guy of ASH extremely over weight himself? So what's good for the goose isn't good for the gander I suppose.

 

[Janetda]

He's said some pretty outrageous things before, but this just...just...I can't even find the words.

 

[jeanblackwood]

How on earth do these organizations come into being ? Do they not have anything better to do with their time ???

 

[BigJimW]

The following is an exchange between Dr Seigel and myself on Facebook:

Jim Williams
April 27, 2010 at 12:01am
subject: Thank you

Dr Siegel,

I want to thank you, sir.

You are one of the few anti-smoking folks out there who see through the facade of the bs that groups like ASH pump out, and tell it like it is.

Electronic Cigarettes are saving my life, yet groups like tobacco Free Kids, the American Lung Association, and ASH want them gone. I can't figure out as to why. Are they that bad???? Both my sons love the fact that I have more energy and can actually breath again. I can't believe why the FDA wants them gone.

Dr Siegel, can you give me any clue as to why? Is this country that backwatered? I remember about 3 decades ago we launched men to the fricken moon using more primitive hardware than what is in your modern electronic cigarette battery of today. Yet this once great country wants them gone, a groundbreaking device that can save scores of lives each and every day.

Please, please, give me an explanation as to this madness. I woke up this morning to my radio playing the song "I'm Proud To Be an American". I woke up in tears listening to it. I am believing this country and government is really that uncaring. And that is something I do not want my sons to grow up in.

I see your signature picture has a little girl standing next to you. Probably your daughter standing close to the man she is the most proud of. I can only pray we can leave this country to her in a better shape than it is in now.

- Jim Williams

He responded within minutes:

Michael Siegel
April 27, 2010 at 12:13am
Re: Thank you

Thanks Jim.

I can only offer two possible explanations for the anti-smoking groups wanting to take e-cigs off the market.

One is that they are blinded by ideology - they can't stand the very idea of someone going through an action that looks like smoking.

Another possibility is that they are heavily influenced by the pharmaceutical company money they are receiving, and as you know, e-cigs are a big threat to Big Pharma profits.

I promise I will continue to stand up against these groups when I disapprove of what they are doing.

Best wishes!
Mike

Thank you Dr Siegel!

 

[BigJimW]

Isn't the head guy of ASH extremely over weight himself?

Yeah, Banzhaf is pretty rotundas himself. He's fed off the population enough to earn his fatness.

 

[Poeia]

Aside from all the ethical issues that raises, I "love" the idea that, according to their logic, the surcharge would mostly affect people in lower socioeconomic classes -- the people most likely to already be without health insurance because of the cost. But they are also the people without the education or financial resources to fight something like this. The fact that ASH is so blatant in their discrimination is very telling -- this is an organization of bullies. They like to pick on people who can't fight back (or who they think can't fight back.)

 

[Scorched]

Aside from all the ethical issues that raises, I "love" the idea that, according to their logic, the surcharge would mostly affect people in lower socioeconomic classes -- the people most likely to already be without health insurance because of the cost. But they are also the people without the education or financial resources to fight something like this. The fact that ASH is so blatant in their discrimination is very telling -- this is an organization of bullies. They like to pick on people who can't fight back (or who they think can't fight back.)

Exactly, bullies. The ideologly is prey on the weak, kick them while they are down.

Good thing I stopped smoking.

 

[jiff]

The following is an exchange between Dr Seigel and myself on Facebook:

Thank you Dr Siegel!

Reading that, and hearing he responded so quickly, means this is something he actually feels strongly about. It's not often you see a guy like this who is putting himself on the line between the public and the people with money.

He needs a cape.

 

[Oliver]

Not a term I band about lightly, but this is fascism: going after those who have the least political representation.

There's simply no other way of putting it.

Totally disgusting, and I hope that ASH get a serious backlash for this undemocratic and, dare I say it, un-American behavior.

 

[jiff]

dare I say it, un-American behavior.

Dare. "We, the people" holds no political ground in the government anymore.

 

[Oliver]

Well, it's not really for me to say. So thanks for confirming my thoughts

I have to say though, that I'm utterly shocked that a respected national organisation would publicly advocate this kind of action in America of all places.

 

[jiff]

Your faith in (today's) America is misplaced.

Fact is, America is hardly behaving in an American way anymore.

 

[PlanetScribbles]

Ever since I learned of ASH when I first gave up smoking, I read them as being an organisation with fascist tendencies. There is no other way of describing an organisation whose sole purpose is to treat people of different (inferior, susceptible?) class and social standing in a different way to the rest of society.
Isn't it that kind of despicable behaviour that the likes of Martin Luthur King and Harvey Milk fought against?

 

[Stephra]

What really burns me is that by sheer numbers, the lower classes SHOULD have a lot of electoral clout. If poor people could be persuaded to actually get involved in politics, they could change the course of elections. Newspapers are cheap, and voting is free, but the poorer one is, the less likely they are to vote.

It's a sad situation, but there it is.

 

[Oliver]

I've posted on this at E Cigarette Forum | Facebook so feel free to have your say there as well.

I'd like to get the message out as widely as possible just what a disgusting organisation ASH is.

 

[maxx]

What exactly is ASH? Do we know know? As near as I can figure the organization charges for everything. They are designed to file lawsuits. They are designed to make money for this ambulance-chasing lawyer who draws a salary of $200,000 as director.

Do they have an active membership? Looks alot like one of those schemes where a guy creates a new religeon, names himself the head, then collects donations and tax breaks. You don't have any access to information unless you join....which is not free. It appears this man is more criminal than crusader. Just my opinion...

Edit to clarify: I am referring to Banzhaf