Good Morning Scotland: talking on the telephone
Monday, November 26, 2012 at 12:49 I was on BBC Scotland this morning with Sheila Duffy, CEO of ASH Scotland.
Unusually it was Forest's response to the idea of Scotland becoming "smoke-free" that prompted the discussion which was introduced by presenter Hayley Millar as follows:
"Campaigners who support the right for people to smoke have hit out at plans by the Scottish Government to make the country virtually smoking free. The Government wants Scotland to be among the first countries to quit the habit within the next two decades ..."
To listen click here. It begins at 1:34:00.
If I sound a bit fuzzy it's because I was speaking from a phone in my bedroom. I was supposed to do it from the BBC's Cambridge studio but at 6.20 last night I had to send a text to the producer:
Small problem. River at bottom of my road has flooded. I have just checked and I don't think I will get my car out in the morning. Happy to try but it might be best to use landline.
We used the landline.
In addition to the Sunday Herald yesterday, Forest was today quoted by the following newspapers in Scotland – Daily Mail, Daily Express and the Herald.
Simon Clark
Politics.co.uk has just published this article: click on the image.
Reader Comments (2)
I see that Duffy used the occasion (as usual) to promote the propaganda - "lethal product", "kills half its users", "Forest funded by tobacco companies for profit".
Here is an interesting point. It seems that 'the plan' is intended to ensure that Tobacco Control in Scotland has guaranteed funding for the next twenty/twenty five years. Has this plan been costed? In the first place, what is going to be the cost of 'supporting' people who want to stop with medication? What is the cost gong to be of supporting ASH ET AL for 25 years? If it is successful in reducing smokERS to 5% of the population), what is the anticipated year-by-year reduction in tobacco tax income and the anticipated loss of such income in total in 25 years time?
Further...
Duffy used the occasion to propagandise seriously important lies. She stated, without prevarication, that SHE AND HER FRIENDS have the right to decide whether or not THE PEOPLE can enjoy tobacco. Be in no doubt. When I say SHE, I mean all the impostors who say WE must protect OUR children, when the reality is that Duffy et al do not possess the People's children or have the right to dictate to parents.
I|t is often said that THE PEOPLE are infantile, but the reality is that ASH ET AL are the ones who are infantile. Slogans such as "kills 50% of users when used as directed" are infantile - on a par with, "if you don't eat your crusts, you will not have curly hair".
May I suggest that when you are invited to comment on the radio that you do not accept 'the status quo'? The statement that 'smoking gives you lung cancer' is akin to 'walking in the rain gives you a cold'.
There is no debate. There is only dictat.
Simon. I admire your determination. NOTHING, BUT NOTHING is more gratifying than a little person defeating a giant, as I did in conflict with both the Independent and B & Q.