October 2011

Ireland, CONFIRMATION THAT the 2004 smoking ban has not had any appreciable effect on the numbers of smokers in the Republic is disappointing. Dr Tony Holohan, chief medical officer at the Department of Health, told a health conference this month that smoking prevalence, at 28 to 30 per cent, had not changed for the better since the ban was introduced. Although the prime objective of the ban was to protect people from the effects of second-hand smoke, there had been hopes that it would encourage smokers to quit.

As head of the National Restaurant Association, the industry&rsquo;s chief lobbying organization, Cain worked closely with big tobacco companies on a number of shared goals, including stopping smoking bans in restaurants.<br />
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That was his job and the Restaurant Association didn’t want a smoking ban imposed on them, why would they?<br type="_moz" />

A study conducted of 180,000 non-smokers across the US and Puerto Rico showed that 1,100 of them developed lung cancer and died due to the disease.<br />
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Researchers found that the risk of developing lung cancer for every person increased by 15 to 27 percent for every 10 extra units of air-pollution.<br />
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About time they looked for other reasons why people contract lung cancer.&nbsp; I wouldn’t rule out that the HPV virus that causes throat cancer may also be responsible for lung cancer.<br type="_moz" />

The Maryland Legislature is debating a 15 percent increase in the gas tax; a doubling of the cost of a vehicle emissions test; a ridiculous congressional redistricting map; higher vehicle registration fees; using transportation taxes and fees to balance the general fund budget; increasing tolls; and raising tobacco taxes by $1 per pack.

You can now buy liquor at 6 a.m. in Wisconsin instead of waiting to 8 a.m.&nbsp; <br />
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<a href="https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2011/proposals/ab63">AB 63</a>, which seeks to allow liquor stores to open at 6 a.m. instead of 8 a.m., unanimously passed in the Assembly on Tuesday, Oct. 27. Two days later, it was approved in the Senate by a vote of 23-8.<br type="_moz" />

There has been a lot of fuss in the media because Mr. Cain’s latestest commercial featured his Chief of Staff, smoking in the commercial.&nbsp; In case you haven’t seen it here is the link: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6VnTqpTqvQ">www. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6VnTqpTqvQ</a><br />
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Fifty million people smoke, get over it!<br type="_moz" />

Orwell’s 1984 was just a bit too early but in 2011 we do have big brother and they are watching you.<br />
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According to Bloomberg Business Week companies are insisting on a blood test to determine if you smoke.&nbsp; They are also going after people who are overweight, all in the attempt to save on health insurance costs.<br />
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Many 501 (c) 3’s have added &quot;Action Funds&quot; or PACS or another corporation using the same name with a couple of extra words trading off their nonprofit name and most people don’t know the difference.&nbsp; Is it legal yes, fair no.&nbsp; You might think you are giving money that is tax deductible but find out later you can’t.&nbsp; Tobacco Free Kids is a good example they have two corporations: The Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund is a non-partisan 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization affiliated with, but separate from the Campaign for; Tobacco-Free Kids, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.<br />
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It is all in the fine print, pay attention to who you donate to and for what.<br />
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Taxing anything and everything is in vogue these days.&nbsp; What ever happened to common sense?&nbsp; Why are we taxing the people and not going directly to the manufacturers and demanding they use sugar substitutes?&nbsp; <br />
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Are politicians and health nannies really unaware that we are in a recession and people are not only losing their jobs but their houses?&nbsp; Get a grip!<br />

&quot;President Toni Preckwinkle, of Cook County&quot; will ask commissioners to raise taxes on alcohol, tobacco products and cars and to lay off more than 1,000 workers under a budget blueprint she rolled out Monday.&quot;<br />
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Let’s just tax everything, cutting services is unthinkable.&nbsp; If you live in Chicago you may want to tune into the County Board and tell them what you think.<br />
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