A CIGARETTE CHEMICAL PACKED WITH HELPFUL EFFECTS? -- OH, WHAT A SURPRISE! - "In fact, nicotine has a wide array of potentially beneficial effects. As a result, today nicotine is being studied as a possible therapy for a broad range of ailments that includes Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, schizophrenia, depression, adult attention deficit disorder, Tourette's syndrome and ulcerative colitis." -- The Washington Post.

Since nicotine is now about to be handled by the pharmaceutical industry, it turns from an absolute evil to a good chemical -- not too fast, of course, let's go slow! For now, let us just say that it's not too bad. Gradually, the drug companies will sell it to you -- and it will be great (as long as it's not delivered through the compatition's product, of course: cigarettes). For further opinions, see Gian Turci's latest opinion piece in Gian Turci's corner.

INTERNATIONAL INTRODUCTORY CONFERENCE TO THE ITALIAN DAY OF CANCER RESEARCH - "The progress reported in the development of the fight against cancer in its many manifestations was remarkable. The attacks to smokers and smoking have not been many, and the few were propagandistic in nature, and of clear American origin. ... But all in all, it has been a relief to see that the overwhelming thrust of the conference has been on describing the research to UNDERSTAND the mechanics of cancer, and to focus on efforts to substitute epidemiology with genetics for the purpose of developing a CURE for the terrible killer. That emphasis -- much more than political propaganda, and the dissemination of false information about smoking -- has been the focus of the conference. The Italian political environment (and the Italian people) have little tolerance for puritanical rhetoric, class paternalism, and political junk science, for they had enough of it for this century."

TOBACCO FARMERS MUST BE SUPPORTED - "... shouldn't the auto industry compensate the government for all the medical costs that it has caused? By the time we're done, every hospital bill in this country could be accompanied by a demand for reimbursement by the private business whose product is claimed to have contributed to the associated costs. " From a state where tobacco is a way of life, some common sense -- finally -- from a politician.

DOWN WITH ANTI-SMOKING, UP WITH ANTI-ALCOHOL! - More hard-ball Puritanitcal lifestyle crusades, by all means! This columnist professes to be fed up with "unctuous anti-smoking zealots". His prescription: a good, old-fashioned anti-booze crusade! We can only wonder what prescription will be offered by those who eventually get fed up with anti-booze zealots...

AIRLINES: WHO CARES ABOUT THE SUBSTANCE? - Anti-smoking cranks just refuse to face the facts when it comes to the airline smoking ban debate. The fact is that airlines have opted for poor ventilation in order to save money because they think they can get away with it if a smoking ban is in place. Airplanes have become stuffier and more prone to the spead of airborne illnesses as a result. The columnist who wrote this obviously doesn't care about air quality -- as long as he can't smell tobacco. So much for airline smoking bans being a "health issue"!... Like most things nowadays, the form prevails over the substance.

ROMANIA: THE POSITIVE EFFECTS OF CLINTON'S CIGAR - Thanks, Bill, for helping to popularize the beautiful habit of smoking. We need to go back being the majority to squash anti-tobacco out of the political scene, and shove the cartel in jail. We always knew that you are a good smoker, at heart.

TWO THUMBS UP FOR SEINFELD AND NBC! - The cancerous American Lung Association has issued the "Phlemmy" Award to NBC and Seinfeld for representing smoking in that show. The "Phlemmy" award is a rating given exclusively in function of the representation of smoking. Kids who have been properly brainwashed by the cancerous ALA are the judges.

The Lung Association of course expects 30% of the population of America not to be represented on television, or any other form of art. In the racist ALA's eyes, that 30% is not really population, but a target group to be straighten out, and to be protected against, while the ALA is cashing huge funds to do so.

Every award of this kind of course turns into a "two thumbs up" rating from us, for it means that the beautiful ritual of smoking is represented, as it must be. So, young and old, let's turn on the TV and watch a good and funny show: SEINFELD. Thank you, Seinfeld and NBC!

INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS - World Health Organization (WHO) is coming to town - to "develop the framework for a tobacco convention". Control of the product, if they can't eliminate it, and control of the consumers is more like what they have in mind.

BYLAW OPPONENTS UNITE - Senior citizen home residents facing a cold winter in order to 'indulge' get together with owners of bars, bingo parlors, and casinos.

B.C. GOVERNMENT SUES TOBACCO - Precedent setting Canadian lawsuit - Government attempts to replenish its treasury by suing industry.

BILL S-13 QUESTIONED - Government House Leader questions the Constitutionality of the proposed 'Tobacco Industry Responsibility Act'.

FAT EX-SMOKERS - Could the 'agony' of quitting not be compensated by any health benefits? New work for the lifestyle police.

WHO OUT OF THE CLOSET - The 'health god' has spoken - and revealed the true meaning of "social engineering".

MAGAZINE BACKS 'ADDICTION' & SECONDHAND SMOKE DAMAGE THEORIES - Read about 'closet smokers', and how we have to "hide it from the kids." Psychological persecution at its worst.

TOBACCO Co. SUES GOVERNMENT - Government might find itself in court on this issue for a change.

USEFUL IDIOTS - How stupid are we? (posted with permission)

BILL S-13 "HITLER SAID IT BEST" - "What are you? You will pass on"