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The Forces Archive

Forces International is proud to present its archive of over 10 years of information. The original website that served us well during that time . This new archive facility provides users not only with a doorway to the old site, but also provides a way to search methodically for information. We hope you will agree that this area can be a wonderful resource for finding historical data on the smoking debate, as well as related issues.

You may search for archived items by using the search box below, or by browsing through the cleaned-up and reorganized old website sections in the "Links To Archived Categories" on the right menu of this page. All links on that menu open in a new window, so that you may return here simply by closing the window. Alternatively, you can access the old website directly. Because the old website has been preserved exactly as it was, there are no links back to this portal.

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Caveat Emptor | Tom Banse
Article Published: 14/07/2005
Whom can you trust in the Health Reich era? Think twice and then twice more. Know who your friends are. We reported on the duplicitous advertising of Internet cigarette dealers generally, and an American Indian site called Smartsmoker specifically, back on April 26th. Smartsmoker advertised nice discount prices while hiding its status as a tax bureau informant on its obscure 'About Us' page. This news update from Public Broadcasting tells us the group which owns Smartsmoker and another site called Smokesignals has decided to show 'leadership' by providing a state-by-state customer list to the State of Washington in response to a lawsuit. Apparently these Seneca merchants, who had already bent over, have simply bent further. Exactly how much customer info is being handed over, dating how far back, isn't clear. How far and wide this 'state-by-state customer list' may be distributed is likewise unclear. Whatever one's view on today's cigarette taxes (you know ours), nothing could be more duplicitous than to offer 'discount' or 'tax-free' cigarettes to the public, while simultaneously reporting to tax collectors. People buy Internet cigs because they can't afford grotesquely inflated local store prices. They wouldn't buy cigs over the Internet either if they knew the ultimate price would be the same or if they knew they were inviting reprimands. Many customers would find a fair price through other means (a black market is burgeoning now in the US to rival those in Canada and the UK and tobacco Liberty Gardens are beginning to sprout.) Others would quit smoking. Few would bankrupt themselves either at the 7-11 store or via the web. It's not nice to lie to people. We call the Antis fanatics and tyrants because that's what they are. They don't suggest you quit smoking, they throw you on the ground, pilfer your pockets, twist your arms, and demand acquiescence. Is there any form of human life as low as the fascist? Yes, they are the collaborators, and the rats. Sometimes you can spot them and sometimes you can't. Your state's cops may spy on over-the-border tobacco vendors and nab you on your way home. This is being done. Some state tax bureaus are offering rewards to private citizens who report cigarette tax avoiders. Know who your friends are. Think more than twice. It's a pogrom now. It's waged on many fronts. The Indian sites used to trumpet their sacred 'sovereignty' and insisted they would NEVER break customer confidentiality. Lots of us applauded their stand and hoped we could believe them. We live and we learn. We've said it before and now we say it louder. All Internet cig buying, from anywhere, is subject to troubles. Maybe your credit card still works for Internet cigs. Maybe you're still getting deliveries. Don't be too quick to think you're lucky. Internet dealers sometimes rob, and often mislead customers, which is just as bad. Seemingly reliable dealers sometimes turn bad. Customs is on the prowl. The post office and private delivery companies want to finger you. Caveat emptor.

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