The big idea
It is one of our most basic freedoms that we can associate together in any way that we wish. If individuals wish to congregate together to discuss some imposition of the government, they can do so. But the government have made it illegal for people who enjoy tobacco to congregate, unless they comply with the government’s edict not to enjoy tobacco together, unless they are in a place which is not a place available to the general public.
But, it is of the greatest importance for us to understand that the government has NO authority whatsoever to decide in what circumstances citizens can congregate. The right to congregate is sacrosanct.
It follows therefore that the government have no right whatsoever to stop a publican providing facilities for people who enjoy tobacco to meet and talk and enjoy their tobacco. The health of the population as an amorphous mass is irrelevant.
Why does this matter?
The Health Act 2006 was pushed through without due consideration. MPs voted for it without knowing the implications because the implications were not stated. They voted purely by instinct. “Smoking is bad for you, therefore ban it. Erm…but only slightly”
Our Freedom depends upon not permitting special interest groups to rule. It is almost always true that special interest groups who want to ban something are wrong. On the other hand, it is almost always true that special interest groups who want to permit something are almost always correct – assuming that their investigations have been peer reviewed (the same cannot be said about ‘bans’ which have been peer reviewed).
It is unfortunately true that the Government is essentially an organisation which bans things. Banning things is easy.
In order to <i>permit</i> things, more courage is required than is required to ban things. Even more courage is required to <i>reverse</i> a ban.
The system under which decisions in our democracy are arrived at depend upon the authorisation of Ministers of the Crown. But these Ministers are not sufficiently knowledgeable in themselves to decide, therefore they have to rely upon expert advice.
I would ask, “What systems are in place to ensure that the ‘expert advice’ is correct?
You could provide a smoking “permit” .. or tax which is related to the cost that smoking has damaged the health of the citizens of the district… hmmm I could be in favour of this..
Tax the cigarettes…
Tax the places where they are smoked in
Oh I like it!
But to claim that the government is stopping people congregating is a bit over the top.. no one is saying that you can’t meet up.. just that you can’t affect the health of the person sat next to you.
I see a lot of people in one place foot ball matches !!