TICAP, The Hague, March 15th 2010

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

The Battle Cry of Freedom!

On July 1st, contrary to what the anti-smoking lobby would want to see we are delighted to announce a Day of Defiance which has been welcomed by many millions of people across the UK.

Three principle venues for the defence of freedom against the fascist tyranny of ASH and this Labour government are:





The Swan, Churchgate, Bolton (Landlord: Nick Hogan)

The Dog Inn, Ewyas Harold, Nr Hereford (Landlord: Tony Blows)

Happy Scotts Bar, Rigby Road, Blackpool (Landlord: Hamish Howitt)


These will not be the last of such protests and we have a number of very interesting plans in the pipeline. Add to that a number of legal actions that are due to be taken against the government and we shall have a very interesting few months ahead. We know that ASH and their cronies are planning further strictures against smokers once the initial implementation of the ban has quietened down. Bad news ASH, from now on it just gets noisier and noisier and we also look forward to the day, not so far off now, when you will have to stand up in court and explain why you have propagated the great second hand smoke lie for so long!

Finally, it is important to remember the words: "Freedom to Choose." Some have described these words as a cliché. Maybe they are, but they still remain three very important words for they encapsulate the very essence of liberty. With that in mind we raise our battle flag and war cry:




The Battlecry of Freedom!

Posted by Blad "Bulldog" Tolstoy

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Monday, June 25, 2007

Hurrah for The Daily Telegraph...Again!

The Daily Telegraph has been one of the most consistently smoker-friendly papers in the UK. An excellent little sketch and cartoon in The Telegraph Magazine for 23rd June (2007) outlines this fact perfectly and gets Uncle Blad's vote of the week. Anyway, here it is:

Social stereotypes The anti-smoking bore. By Victoria Mather.
Drawing by Sue Macartney-Snape.

Deirdre is an exhibitionist anti-smoker. She flaps her hands, sighs, coughs theatrically and excuse-mes if anyone lights up within breathing distance, even outside on the breezy terrace of Le Coq au Vin. Her shock-horror glare and pursed lips convey a flashing think bubble of 'You are indulging in a filthy, odious, vile habit' towards the offender. Her emission of tsunamis of self-righteousness imply that the pariah might as well be indulging in Polonium Marlboro.

July 1st is going to be Deirdre's D-Day; a triumph of Nanny-knows-best over reckless individualism. Since Deirdre thinks Hyde Park is a confined space, she will be doing her tobacco traffic warden act if she detects a persecuted puffer sneaking a fag while feeding the swans on the Serpentine. Deirdre can detect a whiff of cigarette smoke at a million paces; it kickstarts her diatribe about the 'invisible killer' and how 85 per cent of the smoke you don't see or smell is just as deadly as the smoke that you do. She rejoices in the £80 on-the-spot fines, and it can't be a moment too soon before drivers are condemned for smoking at the wheel. Deirdre's friends are extremely wary of asking her to supper since, even at a barbeque where smell is just one big carcinogenic holocaust, she'll still tell other guests that they stink of fags - an accusation that can be misinterpreted in a crowd - and did they know what pressure smoking is putting on their hearts to pump oxygen round their bodies? Deirdre may even hold a medicated wipe protectively over her nose while imparting these intimations of doom. Carbon monoxide particles in the blood...clogged arteries...blocked circulation: Damien should really get a counsellor through QUIT.

Damien now wants to smoke four cigs at once and stub them all out on Deirdre's face. She's saying 'It is people like you who are threatening my attempt to get pregnant net year', while he's thinking the old bat's probably one of the smoke police infiltrating restaurants who are slapping an extra quid on his council tax.

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Sunday, June 24, 2007

Scary cartoon from Blad

This subject was been raised in the media a little while back and Blad has just finished this fine illustration for us. It's happening already as far as I can see. Public health agenda's are being forced on us by legislation. First, not smoking, now moderate drinking and losing weight, are now compulsory.

Blad also alludes to the new mental health provisions by drawing the patient in a straight jacket. Perhaps also the doc is about to throw a spanner into the works!

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Another venue for Ist July

Read this Hereford Times article about Tony Blows to find about a venue that might be closer to you than Bolton for the 1st July.


Hereford Times

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Friday, June 22, 2007

ENGLISH SMOKE BAN PROTEST AT BOLTON

On Sunday July 1st, the first day of England's smoking ban, Nick Hogan will be hosting a smoke-in as a protest against the ban.

This will take place at The Swan pub, Churchgate, Bolton, Lancashire. Doors open at 12 'o' clock midday and from 2pm there will be live coverage by Sky News. This will give many people a chance to express their views and therefore present a marvellous opportunity. See also this frightening trade damage analysis by Sky News:

http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30400-1270997,00.html

Nick is putting in the time and effort (as well a sticking his neck out). He is receiving plenty of support but he nevertheless asks that as many people as possible will make the effort to join him in Bolton to ensure this is a strong and worthwhile protest. All that is required is your time and energy!

We are supposed to live in a democracy so let's ensure that democratic principles triumph on July 1st!

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Sunday, June 10, 2007

My local cafe where I will no longer be allowed to smoke

The Non-Smoking Area

Non-smoking

The Smoking Area

Smoking
These are scenes from a local cafe I use at 8.30 on a Thursday morning.
They are self explanatory.

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Jarvis Cocker - Life's Punctuation

Jarvis Cocker SmokingJarvis Cocker's website is worth a visit. He was quoted in The Times on Saturday in their "Well, well, well" section.


"I believe that public smoking is a form of punctuation and without fag breaks, we won't have those necessary little pauses to reflect on life, which becomes one long sentence will no full stops of commas."

He also has an excellent song title "**** are ruling the world".
I find this very pleasing and fascinating. Jarvis, a man with whom I would have previously thought I had nothing in common, comes out with a thought that I have voiced many times. Not only that he puts it in a way that no one could really better. Especially with no bullshit.
He has a blog worth a visit and you'll find plenty of reference that excellent song title.

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