Monthly Archives: January 2014

A Surprising UKIP

Posted on January 31, 2014 by the archivist

I came across a couple of interesting articles about UKIP today, written by two “impartial and expert” political scientists. The first set out to debunk one myth about UKIP: Myth No 1: Ukip’s supporters are all grumpy Tories It is … Continue reading →

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Lords Vote to Ban Smoking in Cars

Posted on January 30, 2014 by the archivist

H/T Junican. BBC: The Lords has backed a Labour plan to ban smoking in cars carrying children, despite opposition from the government. Labour peers tabled an amendment to the Children and Families Bill detailing their proposal for England, which they said was … Continue reading →

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Smokers Not Addicted

Posted on January 29, 2014 by the archivist

Study says smokers are not addicted to nicotine Craving for cigarettes is more to do with the mind than the addictive influence of nicotine. In other words, it is the psychological element of smoking that makes one addicted to cigarettes, … Continue reading →

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The Power of Nobody

Posted on January 28, 2014 by the archivist

I’ve continued to think today about how Tobacco Control has managed to capture the moral high ground. In the comments, Tony pointed out that they were allied with doctors, who are held in high esteem by everybody. And of course … Continue reading →

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Morality Wars

Posted on January 27, 2014 by the archivist

An interesting discussion broke out in the comments today when Walt suggested that if smokers had all boycotted pubs and cafes and restaurants after smoking bans were introduced, it would all have been different: If at the very beginning of … Continue reading →

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The Kids Are Still Smoking.

Posted on January 26, 2014 by the archivist

At a bit of a loose end tonight. But I liked this photo of two school runaways: She’s 17. He’s 16. The kids are still smoking.

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A Ticking Time Bomb

Posted on January 25, 2014 by the archivist

I’m posting up a comment by Rose. First Sir George Godber: “Godber recollected that he had said in 1962 to Keith Joseph, another of his Conservative ministers, that “we really have to do something about abolishing smoking” “Godber replied: “No, … Continue reading →

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Comments Are Effective

Posted on January 24, 2014 by the archivist

Via Facebook: Commentary accompanying anti-smoking public service announcements (PSAs) in online forums like YouTube has an impact on the PSA’s overall effectiveness. Both negative and positive comments accompanying PSAs degrade the persuasiveness of the videos. According to researchers from the … Continue reading →

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The Traumatised Antismokers

Posted on January 23, 2014 by the archivist

A bit sleepy this evening. I’ve spent all day back looking at asteroid 2012 DA14 and the Chelyabinsk meteor of 15 Feb 2013, which I got interested in a year back. But in the background I’ve been thinking about antismokers. … Continue reading →

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The End Justifies The Means

Posted on January 22, 2014 by the archivist

From an essay on SHS myths: On the program As It Happens, I put these and other questions to a researcher for the Environmental Protection Agency. After some heated back and forth, he admitted:”Sure it’s crappy science, but look at the … Continue reading →

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