Saturday, October 29 2011
By Bob "The Rev" Meyn
The Rev likes to look at the big picture on issues such as the FDA regulating cigars. In my opinion, this is an effort by people who want to limit freedom of choice in a country that was founded on that very same principle. The FDA and those who support its regulation of tobacco/cigars operate under the false proposition that they are looking out for the health of Americans. We know their mantras: cigars cause cancer; cigars cause heart disease; second hand smoke kills innocent people, and so on.
Frankly, I don't care whether those claims are true or not. This is the United States of America and if I want to smoke cigars in spite of these alleged risks then that's MY choice. There are many other foods AND drugs under the FDA's regulation that cause far more widespread and significant health problems than cigars. High fat foods lead to heart disease, which is the leading killer of adults in America. So why doesn't the FDA ban McDonald's or Burger King or KFC? Why does it allow fat in ANY food? Fat kills far more people than cigars. Why doesn't the FDA ban fat?
I am a card-carrying member of the CRA but I think they make a big strategic error in even entering into debates about whether or not the health studies on the effects of tobacco are true or not. Entering such arguments distracts us from the core principle: it's a freedom to smoke cigars if I choose to do so. Just as it's a freedom to eat fatty foods, or drink alcohol, or ride a motorcycle - all things that come with risk. My choice. Not some bureaucrat's choice. In other words, as the song goes: "Ain't nobody's business but my own."
However, with choice comes responsibility. I'm willing to pay higher health premiums as a cigar smoker just as motorcycle riders pay higher life insurance premiums. I also think people who make unhealthy eating habits should pay more for their choices. Liberties come at a price. But if the FDA regulates and eventually bans one of my choices, Liberty suffers. And this country was founded on Liberty and Freedoms of Choice. Be a real patriot. Fight the FDA regulation of cigars. It's what any good American should do.
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