Something is in the air - and it stinks
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 10:07 am
This is something that should be on the minds of all forum members and lurkers. A pipe makers income is derived from the sale of pipes and indirectly from the ability of pipe smokers to acquire quality tobacco. The fact of the matter is that the most widely used vehicle of acquiring our beloved leaf is subject to the often insane policies of the US political machine.
Let’s face it, in the past forty years the number of smokers has been drastically reduced and the anti-smoking consensus has grown. Pipe tobacco sales has dropped from 52 million pounds in 1970 to a scant 7.5 million by the mid 90’s. The American Cancer Society is now targeting pipe and cigar smokers for higher mortality rates the same as they did to cigarette smokers. The cards are stacked against us.
However, before I stray to far from the immediate problem – Internet tobacco sales. Our ability to obtain our stash is being threatened by the anti-smoking politicians. Under the pretense of the “tobacco sales to minors” campaign the proposed “shotgun” solution is going to be to ban all internet tobacco sales and prohibit the shipping of tobacco products by mail. Combine this smoke screen of concern with the real reason, tax revenue, and it would appear that in a short time we will go the way of the dinosaur.
More and more states are banning smoking and it is very few that protect the right of PRIVATE businesses to make their own decision in regard to their own business policy.
I don’t know which of or if any of the smoker rights organizations are politically active and specifically working to preserve pipe tobacco sales. If anyone knows of an organization that is not wallowing in the mud of the anti-smoker issues and is working effectively, I'd like to know.
Well, time to give up the soap box. Hope KH does not censor this as “This forum is not to be used for political discussions”
Let’s face it, in the past forty years the number of smokers has been drastically reduced and the anti-smoking consensus has grown. Pipe tobacco sales has dropped from 52 million pounds in 1970 to a scant 7.5 million by the mid 90’s. The American Cancer Society is now targeting pipe and cigar smokers for higher mortality rates the same as they did to cigarette smokers. The cards are stacked against us.
However, before I stray to far from the immediate problem – Internet tobacco sales. Our ability to obtain our stash is being threatened by the anti-smoking politicians. Under the pretense of the “tobacco sales to minors” campaign the proposed “shotgun” solution is going to be to ban all internet tobacco sales and prohibit the shipping of tobacco products by mail. Combine this smoke screen of concern with the real reason, tax revenue, and it would appear that in a short time we will go the way of the dinosaur.
More and more states are banning smoking and it is very few that protect the right of PRIVATE businesses to make their own decision in regard to their own business policy.
I don’t know which of or if any of the smoker rights organizations are politically active and specifically working to preserve pipe tobacco sales. If anyone knows of an organization that is not wallowing in the mud of the anti-smoker issues and is working effectively, I'd like to know.
Well, time to give up the soap box. Hope KH does not censor this as “This forum is not to be used for political discussions”