June 29, 2005
The International Smokers Rights Conference


 

The Smokers Club, Inc.

International Smokers Rights Conference - Recap

 

 

From Illinois Smokers Rights, here is my recap of our spectacularly successful International Smokers Rights Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

 

Our three days of meetings had a very definite upbeat tone.  First, none of us had to pay a registration fee to attend and second, none of our speakers were paid.  This event was in strong contrast to the 2005 National Conference on Smoking and Health, held in Chicago earlier this year.  The registration fee for their conference was $575 per person with no refreshments included.  We can all thank Samantha's excellent organizational skills for our large, well ventilated meeting room in Caesars Palace.

 

We also had the benefits of other amenities not often found in meeting rooms.  We did not just have plastic card chairs, we had comfortable fabric chairs.   In addition, instead of being forced to take notes on our laps, we sat at linen covered tables with water pitchers and real glasses supplied.  Here's the greatest part.....we had an endless supply of ashtrays and coffee.....yes, we could smoke all day long!!!

 

The days simply flew by.  We all learned and shared new approaches to fight the ever encroaching threats from the fanatical anti smoking special interest groups, with breaks for discussion and questions while we all became acquainted.  Suddenly, we were real people with real faces and voices, and much more than already great internet-only friends and colleagues!

 

For me, the bottom line accomplished by our three days was a realization that we CAN catch up with and become stronger than the anti-smoking movement.    We are the front lines in this battle for the defense of our right-to-choice.  I believe our focus needs to become more political.  The USA is still a Democratic Republic!  One of our speakers reminded us that Smokers Rights Activists are EXACTLY where the anti-smoking groups were fifteen years ago, while most of us were still oblivious to the threats gathering against our individual freedoms.  The extremist special interest groups have passed their zenith, while we are just beginning to coordinate our resources!!!

 

Samantha was such an entertaining and informative Master of Ceremonies, who continually managed to surprise us by pulling new tricks out of her hat that kept us all entertained.

 

 

I made so many new friends and acquaintances.  Of course, some were already friends, but they were still new faces!  I even met our representative from Spain, Javier Bianco-Urgoiti. 

 

 

 

 

 

Three other outstanding speakers were Chuck Muth, who gave us all insight for many of the qualities and concerns political candidates should have and address, Dr. Brad Rodu from the University of Alabama, and Gary Nolan of The Small Business Coalition.

 

 

 

 

We had so many wonderful speakers it is hard to choose, but I want to give special personal thanks to Norm Kjono, Luc Martial and Brendan Trainor for their political insights.

 

 

 

 

Two more unforgettable quotations are:  “Government’s only real power is to be a Legal Monopoly to enact the Use of Force” and “Freedom is not free, but cheaper than government plunder!”

 

He also discussed how our government is violating our Bill of Rights through breaking the Fifth and the Ninth Amendments.  These amendments are meant to protect us.  Think about it!  The most fundamental of our rights are those which entitle us to own and use property, and that our rights do not have to be spelled out one by one.  That means self ownership and ownership of what we create.  It also required Acts of Congress to enact draft laws when our country declared war in the past.

 

Amendment V:   ...nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

 

Amendment IX:  The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

 


 

Here was another eye-opener from Mr. Trainor!  States do not have the power to interfere in contracts made between employers and employees. 

 

Long before labor became a Union issue, early in the twentieth century, the Supreme Court issued a verdict that state governments could not regulate working conditions for employer/employee relations in a dispute over whether to reduce the number of hours required to be a baker by profession!  (Lochner v. New York – 1905; “State's Police Powers vs Personal Liberty to Contract Under the 14th Amendment”)  http://www.lectlaw.com/files/case37.htm .

 

That means, according to precedent, the States do not have the legal authority to interfere with employer/employee relationships in the hospitality industry or any other industry for that matter...free trade!  Now, doesn’t that open a whole new can-of worms?     

 

Now, on a lighter note, I can’t wait for our next Smokers Club, Inc., International Smokers Rights Conference!  

 

Sincerely,

 

Garnet Dawn
The Smoker's Club, Inc.
Midwest Regional Director
The United Pro Choice Smokers Rights Newsletter - http://www.smokersclubinc.com
Illinois Smokers Rights - http://www.illinoissmokersrights.com/
mailto:garnetdawn@comcast.net - Respect Freedom of Choice!

 



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