Besides the fact that other retail stores are rubbing their hands with glee, for a competitor in a very profitable market has just self-eliminated, the idiotic Victorian-style move will cause only unemployment and lack of sales for the proponents. Minors' access to tobacco will not be affected in the least. But how can one argue with the emotional, moralistic stand of the New Prohibition?'

The sub-moronic attitude of individuals like Joy(less) MacPhail, BC Minister of Health, and her antismoking accomplices, fails to consider the experience of other countries, but then history does not seem to be her stronghold.

Let us take for example Southern European countries, such as Italy or France, and examine the steps they have taken to "control" tobacco for decades, and the results achieved. Please note that these measures have been in effect for decades.

The results speak for themselves. '...Been there, done that'. But what do they know? "We are North Americans, we are more advanced (keep on dreaming) and we have to 'lead the way' (to failure)."

Smoking is a personal choice, and resistance to prohibition increases with the effort to enforce the prohibition.

Only relaxed, factual, and non-paternalistic education has been proven to have an effect on the young generation, which in Southern Europe has spontaneously decreased the amount of smoking only because -- in facts -- smoking prohibition does not exist. It is a well-know fact that prohibition, propaganda, fanfare, scare tactics, and paternalism only create emotions of rebellion in adults and youngsters alike.

We believe that the authorities and the antismoking cartel in general know that as well as we do, but they choose to ignore the obvious for clear reasons of financial and political gain.

This conscious decision, coupled with faith in regulation, control and repression as a means to solve any problem in society without ever addressing its roots, is at the basis of our fight. The politicians who lie on facts and figures and make our lives miserable will be out of office in a few years with a good pension, while we are going to be stuck with the consequences of their lies for many years to come.

The physicians and medical associations who have prostituted their scientific integrity for political glory, profits and social control will always have a failsafe solution in the old "we are trying to do what's best for you" approach.

In last analysis, none one of the antismoking racket will be held accountable, and pay for the lies and persecution bestowed on us smokers.

But we are paying right now with our jobs, stigmatization, guilt, family break-ups, and wallets for this irresponsible campaign.