Bart Williams On Smoking
Plenty of studies refute claims that secondhand smoke causes cancer
In response to Eric F. Myers’ letter, “Numerous scientific studies show secondhand smoke causes cancer,” printed Jan. 7:
“I don’t want any of your statistics; I took your whole batch and lit my pipe with it,” Mark Twain.
I suggest that Mr. Myers do a little more research on the Internet, for there are plenty of studies refuting his claims. One organization to look up for buried studies about secondhand smoke is the international group Forces, which campaigns against irrational bans and misinformation affecting consumers’ right to choose.
One look under the hood of most studies will make you wonder just how on Earth they consider questionnaires a science. Most of the relative risks claimed in the studies are considered statistically insignificant.
Quote: National Cancer Institute, “In epidemiologic research, relative risks of less than 2 are considered small and usually difficult to interpret. Such increases may be due to chance, statistical bias or effects of confounding factors that are sometimes not evident.”
I totally agree to the banning of smoking in public places, but it seems that many anti-tobacco types are confused on what is and is not a public place. Bars, restaurants and stores are not public places. They are privately owned. Not a single penny was spent by government in creating these establishments and so they should not be considered public.
Bart Williams
Fairbanks
January 21, 2006
Smoke-free bars and restaurants may force best customers away
While it is unfortunate that Ms. Sappah has asthma, I disagree with her comments that bar owners should go smoke-free like restaurants (“Secondhand smoke in clubs, bars a compelling reason to avoid them,” Dec. 14). For starters, owners of restaurants did not of their own free will go smoke-free; they were mandated by the disillusioned majority who have bought into the lies about secondhand smoke.
Bar owners also know that many alcohol users are also tobacco users. Why on Earth would they willingly throw out their best patrons?
Still, to this day, I have never found a report of any death primarily caused by secondhand smoke.
About asthma, I understand that, although smoking is on the decline, asthma rates continue to climb, and that not all who have asthma have the same triggers. Some of those triggers are some plants and trees, grass, hard exercise, perfume, dust mites, wood smoke, hair spray, pollution, colds, etc. Should laws be made to prevent just her trigger or everyone’s?
She claims Anchorage would like to see it her way. I am amazed none of them own a bar and make it smoke-free as she suggests.
Bart Williams
Fairbanks
December 22, 2006
