Apparently, local laws forbidding smoking indoor do not allow Ted to use his indoor solution. Ted was seeking support on a possible law suit in New York to challenge that law, and was providing us with the electronic address of his company's site, called Refresh Aire. Intrigued, we went to check it out, and -- surprise! The "device" is a good-looking glass cage provided with high-tech air filtration that is claimed to remove any element of secondhand smoke. What blew us away was the exploitation of all the common-place, state-induced beliefs about smoking and smokers. The logic goes like this: since smokers are a problem because of their addiction, until a cure is found we will have to live with them, and with their loss of efficiency due to their frequent smoking breaks. But do not despair! Thanks to our cage (price not specified) you will save money by not getting the smokers to get outside, while you will be protected by the harmful emissions from their addictive product, while preserving the cleanliness and decor of your premises! We are being treated like an infestation! "Cockroaches a problem? Problem solved with the Fumigator!" At first glance, somebody may say that we are over-reacting, and a glass booth is better than going outside, or even no smoking at all. But there is more here than what meets the eye. Promotions like this indicate how low in the scale of respect the anti-smoking propaganda has pushed the smokers. We can no longer accept to be pushed out of the door, patronized, and treated like an infestation. The real infestation is the epidemic of lies and paranoia against us that politicians, antismokers, and certain physician associations have been spreading so efficiently. Intentional public misinformation, and instigation of social stress is a crime, and as such should be severely dealt with. Smokers have been too passive, and conceding too much. As a result, we have been marginalized, one concession at the time. It is now time to push back, and -- while smoking -- take back our rightful place in a society that we support far more than non-smokers at the tune of many billions of dollars a year. Sorry, Ted. We realize that your company does not mean to diminish the dignity of smokers. They just want to offer a solution, and make some money in the process. But the marketing skills of your company leave MUCH to be desired. We do not think that your company is mean. Just mediocre, cheap -- and stupid. And if you are a smoker, you better give your head a shake.
THE ANSWER OF FORCES CANADAMr. Walt Hanley from FORCES Georgia forwarded your letter to him to the other chapters of FORCES. We went to take a look at the site you describe in your correspondence. While appreciating both your actions and your words, here at FORCES Canada we strongly disagree with the attitude taken by your company, and we find it somewhat offensive. First of all, SMOKERS ARE NOT A PROBLEM. The problem is the corruption of a system that allows junkscience, and other false information to be used by corrupted politicians, physicians and other special interest lobby groups to reduce the liberty of choice of the citizens. Second, we don't need any patronization on our "addiction", thank you. There is a huge difference between addiction, and HABIT, and smoking is a habit. Flooded by state-endorsed junkscience, you obviously don't know the difference. Third, your company seems to subscribe to the bull of lost productivity for obvious commercial interests. Smokers are known to be more productive than non-smokers because of the personality characteristics that have driven them to their choice. And this, notwithstanding the smoking breaks that they are forced to take because of unfair laws, and wide-spread paranoia. Fourth, for the purpose of marketing your product, your company subscribes to the lie that secondhand smoke is dangerous ("SAFE, clean attractive workplace???!!!"), and that smokers are DIRTY. The first statement is a filthy lie, and the second one is slanderous, and offensive. And incidentally, a workplace where Gestapo rules is *NOT* attractive, no matters how good it looks. For all the reasons above, sir, we have to tell you to get your company to take their patronization and commercial exploitation and shove it. We are not animals to be put in a cage. We are valid contributors to society, paying more than nonsmokers, and treated like garbage. We are here to take our rights and dignity back with WHATEVER MEANS necessary. And we don't need "friends" like Refresh Air, thank you!
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