A referendum on the smoking issue!!

Here are the reasons why a plebiscite or a referendum is undemocratic and wrong.

Negative side of Referendums

1. Referendums are contrary to our system of representation of democracy

2. Referendums can also become divisive and can potentially undermine minority 'rights' through the votes of the majority.

3. They can be controlled by political elites who can set the question and determine campaign rules.

4. Difficult to simplify complex issues into 'yes'/no questions.

5. They can weaken the will of legislature and government to deal with difficult issues.

6. They provide no opportunity for parties and government to engage in consensus-building.

To sum up this situation

The non-smokers(Majority) can impose their morals on the Hospitality sector(Minority)

The majority never or very seldom patronize the hospitality sector on any given day. It is wrong for the majority whether it be a referendum or otherwise, to dictate to the hospitality sector in dealing with a legal product on 'private' property

You've pointed out many of the real problems with the referendum process. The biggest problem is that it's a tool that isn't used by the people, but by special interests to further their agenda.

It costs a lot of money to gather enough signatures to place a referendum on a statewide ballot (the anti coalition and Tobacco Free Kids spent millions for this in Florida). Ordinary citizens do not have the time or money required for this.

Then it's clear that the most heavily funded group wins because they spend lavishly on advertising, which usually misleads the voters about the exact nature of the referendum and what it will do.

Again, this means that only those with deep pockets can take advantage of the referendum process to further their own agendas.

In the case of smoking bans, for example, the professional, deep-pocketed anti-tobacco groups with the backing of Big Pharma can essentially buy a statewide smoking ban using the referendum process. In Florida they spent more than $6 million. No other group, such as those in the hospitality industry, had either the organization or the money to compete with that. In fact, the antis' only opposition was basically one woman working voluntarily and taking out what radio spots she could with the $2,000 or less in donations she received.

This is how rich organizations and rich groups can purchase state legislation.

In a couple of towns in Alberta ,a couple of teenagers collected enough signatures to have the smoking issue put on the ballot.

They wrote a few letters to the editor.

It only cost them the 'sweat' of their broughs.

The anti know this..80 % are non-smokers.

They also know that councils will pass a smoking by-law because the aldermen want to get elected again.

In Thunder Bay the Ont. Dept of Health spent about 200,000 dollars to feed the gullible public and council with lies and propaganda.

A month ago a Pizza delivery truck driver was smoking in his truck and the antis said he is breaking the bylaw(workplace).

That stunned the public.

Today a bus driver got fined 60.00 dollars for smoking while driving his bus(workplace)

If I call a plumber to fix my sink and I light up, could I be fined because I am smoking in his 'workplace'??

Dr. Jim Morris said this smoking bylaw is to 'protect the workers'

If all workers smoked, who are they protecting?? The workers from themselves.

If there is one worker on the floor of a pub and he is the 'owner'and he smokes is that pub excempt?

This situation has to go the 'whole' nine yards then back up a few feet.

The only way I can see anything happening is to, educate! educate! educate!!

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The only way I can see anything happening is to, educate! educate! educate!!

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Unfortunately, the antis have a 40 year headstart and a lion's share of the funds for their (mis)education, they also have a monopoly on the news media and the misinformation that they dissemenate. The only way I can see things changing is that they are already starting to move on to the obesity issue so a few more folks are starting to view these nannies with a more skeptical eye. They are quick to dismiss anyone who criticizes their agenda as a tool of the (tobacco/fast food/alcohol) industry - what is needed is somebody who can grab the public and media's ear and expose their lies and distortion. I've actually been thinking about writing a book, since I am an "insider" (government-funded scientist working in academia) with an advanced degree and have no connection to any industry other than being a customer - but it would probably cost me my job right now and I don't have the personal $ to finance the book myself.

The legion in Thunder Bay has one worker on the floor and takes care of the cash registar'

Fifteen people in the club(used to be eighty people)

The employee has to go outside to have a smoke, in the meantime nobody is watching the cash register.

You figure!!