2005 National Conference on Tobacco and Health

The National Conference on Tobacco and Health, held in downtown Chicago last week (May 4th through the 6th), produced a historic and very unusual experience for many Chicagoans.  The Sheraton Chicago and Hyatt Regency Chicago hotels, which hosted this convention, became entirely non-smoking for three days with no warning.  The only exceptions were their smoking guest rooms.
 
The purpose of this National Conference was "...To help improve and sustain the effectiveness and reach of tobacco control programs and activities in the United States."  For a registration fee of $575 per attendee, approximately 3200 people from all parts of our country gathered to attend educational sessions and forums, refine anti-smoking strategies and network. 
 
All attendees were given an introductory package upon registration and also received a bound program for all the educational sessions, workshops and receptions, including the identities of the speakers and their affiliations.  Following the written greeting from the Acting Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Office on Smoking and Health, Corinne Husten, MD, MPH, the Welcome page contained a "Special Request".  All conference goers were asked to refrain from "wearing scented aftershave, perfume, hairspray, lotions, etc...  Individuals with respiratory problems have trouble breathing in the presence of fragrances."
 
Now, with that preface out of the way, I need to explain my involvement in this gala event.  I am a pro-active smoker who wanted to see what our anti-smoking antagonists are really doing and what they are like.   I arrived feeling fresh, wearing skin lotion, Shalimar, hairspray and wondering where I would have my next cigarette.  However, I was also one of the non-smoking attendees.  Everyone was very pleasant, and I never once caught the slightest expression from anyone that I was suspected of being from the enemy camp!  Had anyone even asked me, I would have told him or her the truth.
 
So much for smokers reeking of tobacco! While orienting myself with the Sheraton and checking in, I learned the 2005 theme was "Turning Point: Challenges and Opportunities in Tobacco Control in the Next Decade".  Oh boy!  There were sessions everywhere, and everyone there seemed to know everyone else.  It was very similar to the pro-freedom of choice activist network, except there were so many of them and they were all people who hated smoking!

I was surrounded by sponsors and representatives of the American Cancer Society, American Legacy Foundation, CDC Office on Smoking and Health, National Cancer Society, National Cancer Institute, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, American Heart Association, National Institute on Drug Abuse, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, American Lung Association, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Glaxo Smith Kline.....and that was only the beginning.  I knew the next day I would have to visit the exhibit hall at the Hyatt, where all the major sponsors had displays.  I made a complete tour of the display booths and collected an unbelievable quantity of training materials and literature by the time I finished.

One product that caused a great stir among attendees was called TobacAlert, by Nymox Corp. This innovative product is a home test kit for measuring cotinine levels in smokers and used in a similar fashion to a Ketostix or home pregnancy test.  Use is suggested by "parents, smokers trying to quit, coaches, insurance companies and smoking cessation counselors".  It would seem Big Brother is really out to get smokers!  

It was no accident that Chicago was chosen for the gathering, rather than a smoke banned city.  The Harvard School of Public Health and Roswell Park Cancer Research Institute organized a training session on how to measure respirable suspended particles (RSP) using the TSI Side Pac Aerosol Monitor.  Six teams were formed and each was expected to visit six Chicago restaurants/bars that allowed smoking on Wednesday and Thursday evenings to measure the RSPs.  The monitor is small and was placed in a purse or back pack, with only the nozzle exposed.  These measurements were then compared to Sheraton lobby and outdoor air readings.  At the Closing Plenary, the results were read by Stanley M. Rosenblatt, JD who declared readings in the smoking establishments were six times higher than elsewhere.  Each of the trainees was loaned one of monitors to take home with them to help spread smoking bans in their own communities.

Generally speaking, the anti-smoking advocates are very concerned about reduced funding and do not expect the RICO suit to produce any more money from big tobacco.  Tobacco Free Kids is even holding a charity auction on E-bay!  They believe their strengths to be in creating youth activists, networking, quit lines and remaining relentless.  Even the Mayo Clinic has quit lines in five states. 

The hatred expressed is for Big Tobacco.  Anyone who opposes the total eradication of tobacco usage is considered a front for big tobacco or insignificant.  The individual smoker is really not even given any consideration, other than as a statistic to be overcome by bans and taxes...excuse me, the correct term the health educators prefer to substitute is INTERVENTION.  Many of the people I spoke with really believe that smoking bans do not hurt businesses.  They are not disturbed by the social engineering of populations, and never have even considered that creating government ordinances and laws to control personal choice is dangerous.

While I had dinner, I encouraged the restaurant employees to tell me how non-convention patrons felt about their regular watering holes becoming "non-smoking" for this convention.  As would be expected, many were angry, left and went elsewhere.  One waitress had worked there for twelve years and said she had never seen the hotel go non-smoking before.  At least, as of Saturday morning, both hotels went back to their regular policies.

So much for being a Secret Agent!  Next year, the Conference on Tobacco and Health will be International and will meet during July in Washington, D.C. (at a cost of over $900 per attendee).  Residents, be prepared!

An Illinois Resident (05-10-05)

Thanks!

  I finally found the TobacAlert by Nymex Corp on Web MD links. 
  It claims it is a very sensitive test that even can tell if testee has been exposed to "second-hand smoke"!!!  It claims to detect the substance "cotinine", a by product of nicotine, and there are also Multi-paks that test for up to 4 or 5 other drugs at the same time.  These are all urine tests, however, the medical community has other labs tests which include blood or saliva & breath tests to detect tobacco use. 
  Apparently, it takes "days" to metabolize out of your system to a degree low enough to say that it was caused by second hand smoke. 
  Talk about Big Brother! 
  I am finding that with these new tools, Doctors are using them to pick and chose who they will treat and who they will not for unrelated illnesses!!!  If that's not an obvious method of "killing us all off", I don't know what is. 
  I would never again risk admitting to being a smoker to any doctor if you want medical treatment for anything.  You may pass this along on your website, however, I must remain annonymous for my own safety.  Thank you for your speedy reply and your support of personal freedoms.
( A Newsletter reader in WY)

(c) Copyright 2005 The Smoker's Club, Inc. Please repost with link back to this original article.

Anti writes to the Hyatt:

May 12, 2005
Author: Bronson Frick

Hyatt Regency Chicago on the Riverwalk 151 E. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60601 312-239-4575 fax

To the Management:

I recently stayed in the Chicago Hyatt Regency on the Riverwalk as part of the National Conference on Tobacco or Health. Your hotel was a bad experience on many levels.

It was appalling that your hotel did not make your lobby smokefree for at least our three day national conference. Your guests included hundreds of lung cancer survivors, children, and asthmatics. The smoke-filled environment made for an unwelcome and dangerous environment. I am shocked that the Hyatt management was more concerned with allowing some guests to smoke indoors rather than allowing all guests to simply breathe.

It is startling that your management chose to poison thousands of guests in your hotel in spite of the many complaints made during their stay. I believe your decision was short-sighted. Not only will most of our conference attendees never bring business to your hotel again, we will spread the word about your lack of hospitality and common sense from coast to coast. Your competitor, the Sheraton, did go smokefree during the conference, and we will keep that in mind as we plan future meetings around the country.

Your refusal to voluntarily go smokefree on your own underscores the urgent need to achieve smokefree workplaces and public places in Chicago through regulation. Over one-third of Americans now live in a city that provides smokefree hotel lobbies by law and the number is growing rapidly. Also, the number of lawsuits from occupational and guest exposure to secondhand smoke are growing quickly as there is a mountain of scientific evidence showing that even short-term exposure causes diseases.

Finally, it was sad to see your employees being poisoned by secondhand smoke in your hotel. Many of them are miserable from occupational exposure to secondhand smoke . I spoke with one waitress at the bar, who told us she was afraid to speak up, but hated working in the smoke-filled atmosphere. For her sake, and that of other employees and guests, I sincerely encourage you to reconsider your smoking policy.

Bronson Frick Associate Director Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation 2530 San Pablo Avenue, Suite J Berkeley, CA 94702 (510) 841-3032 phone (510) 841-3071 fax bronson.frick@no-smoke.org www.no-smoke.org
http://www.tobacco.org/

A Smoker writes to the Hyatt:

To: caffairs@chircpo.hyatt.com
Cc: bronson.frick@no-smoke.org
Sent: Saturday, May 14, 2005 2:09 PM
Subject: Smoking at the Hyatt on Friday, May 5,2005?

RE:  Hyatt Regency Chicago on the Riverwalk 151 E. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60601 312-239-4575 fax

To the Management:

Hello, I have read Mr. Frick's letter to your hotel and I am confused. 

I was also a visitor at the Hyatt Regency Chicago on Friday, May 5th and I was told that the hotel was non-smoking for the Tobacco Conference.  I met two friends downtown for the day, and we had planned to have lunch at your beautiful hotel.  When we arrived, we saw many No-Smoking signs placed in the lobby and also saw people smoking only while standing and sitting outside.  I saw no one smoking indoors.  When we enquired whether the hotel had become non-smoking, we were told that the Hyatt Regency and Sheraton hotels were non-smoking for three days to show respect for the convention of non-smokers they were hosting. 

We left your hotel and went elsewhere for lunch because we are all smokers, and we wanted to relax and catch up old times over a long lunch.  We were very disappointed, and now I wonder if we were misinformed.

Please clarify this matter for me.  Were you non-smoking on Friday, May 5, 2005?

I think your hotel is beautiful, and Mr. Frick is very rude.  If the Sheraton was already non-smoking why did the Hyatt need to be as well?

The Hyatt Responds:

    From: consumeraffairs@hyatt.com
    Sent: Saturday, May 14, 2005 3:10 PM
    Subject: Hyatt Hotels Consumer Affairs
 
 
     May 14, 2005
   
     Dear  (Name Deleted)
   
     Thank you for your e-mail regarding the Hyatt Regency Chicago. My
     name is Jeff Randall and I am with Hyatt Hotels Consumer Affairs. In
     regards to your inquiry, the lobby of the hotel was made non-smoking
     as a courtesy to the attendees of the Tobacco Conference. The
     restaurant in the hotel's lobby did allow smoking. I apologize that
     this was not better clarified when you inquired as I know you had
     wanted to each lunch at the hotel. I appreciate the time you have
     taken to contact us and  I hope that we will have the opportunity to
     welcome you back soon.
   
     Sincerely,
   
     Jeff Randall
     Hyatt Hotels
     Consumer Affairs

Rebuttal - 2005-National Conference on Tobacco or Health - Chicago, IL

Attention:
Bronson Frick, Associate Director Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights, American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation
Gene Borio, Tobacco.org
Hyatt Regency Chicago, Consumer Affairs
RE:  Letter to Chicago Hyatt on lack of smokefree areas during National Conference on Tobacco or Health
To Whom It May Concern:
 
After reading these letters (below) regarding the Hyatt Regency Chicago during the 2005 National Conference on Tobacco or Health that follow the "Spy's Report from the Anti Camp" in The Smokers Club newsletter at http://www.smokersclubinc.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1503, it is not difficult to spot the typical tactics of the antis.
 
First, make a loud blustering accusation and get it published by another anti news site, then refuse to acknowledge that the accusation is false.  Mr. Frick must have known he was incorrect when he wrote his letter to the Hyatt.  He was doing it for publicity.  I noticed the original publishing source for his letter at Tobacco.org http://www.tobacco.org/articles/state/IL/ was not referenced in the usual manner with a news source.  It must be nice for Mr. Frick to have a news site at his disposal that can create it's own rules for publishing news as it chooses.
 
First the antis chose Chicago to hold their smoke-free conference, knowing full well that it was not a non-smoke free city.  Then, they expected everyone involved to cater to their "special" requirements.  They chose our city because they wanted to take sneaky readings in our restaurants and bars to further their cause, and instigate another proposal for a smoking ban in Chicago. 
 
Now, they are crying "foul" if any portion of businesses around them continued to respect their regular clientele's wishes, claiming cancer survivors and asthmatics in their numbers were put at risk.  Is this grandstanding or what?  The attendees with breathing ailments knew well before they decided to attend the conference that Chicago allows smoking.
 
These anti smokers are so twisted in their expectations that, rather than "Walk a Mile for a Camel", they will walk a mile to find someone who is smoking one so they can attempt to create yet another "Tempest in a Teacup".
 
Anti-smokers, I hope Chicago will prove to you that we are not another city you can invade and conquer!  Shame on you, Mr. Bronson Frick!!! 
 
______________________________
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!

This is exactly what the pro-smoking activist predicted in "A Spy's Report From The Anti Camp" in Smokers Club Newsletter #328 at http://www.smokersclubinc.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1503 about the purpose of the Antis holding the "2005 National Conference on Tobacco and Health in Chicago".  (Also, see Forces at http://forces.org/ : under Cultural Invasion May 17 - Anti-tobacco Agit-Prop to learn about more outright lies by Antis who attended the convention.)
 
She wrote:
"It was no accident that Chicago was chosen for the gathering, rather than a smoke banned city.  The Harvard School of Public Health and Roswell Park Cancer Research Institute organized a training session on how to measure respirable suspended particles (RSP) using the TSI Side Pac Aerosol Monitor.  Six teams were formed and each was expected to visit six Chicago restaurants/bars that allowed smoking on Wednesday and Thursday evenings to measure the RSPs.  The monitor is small and was placed in a purse or back pack, with only the nozzle exposed.  These measurements were then compared to Sheraton lobby and outdoor air readings.  At the Closing Plenary, the results were read by Stanley M. Rosenblatt, JD who declared readings in the smoking establishments were six times higher than elsewhere.  Each of the trainees was loaned one of monitors to take home with them to help spread smoking bans in their own communities."
Her only error appeared to be that the presenter of these statistics was Mark Travers, only because a last minute change was made in the printed program agenda.  (I have checked the "Closing Plenary" on line and confirmed that a last minute substitution was made.) 
 
The "Spy's" first hand story was published days before the newspapers started headlining that smoking sections in Chicago restaurants had six times more particulate matter in the air.  The antis even had to be sneaky by hiding the meters in their bags to conduct these tests.  No one can ever accuse the Antis of being open and direct.
 
The idiocy of all this measuring, is that it doesn't mean anything!!!  Smog and vehicle emissions contain no particulate matter, but they ARE dangerous!!!  Try look at the air in a room where the sunlight is streaming in.  The rays of sunlit air show thousands of particles in the air AT ALL TIMES.....dust, etc!  We all breath this air all the time. 
 
However, the press will still insist upon having a field day with this, protesting that particulate matter creates cancer with the purpose of initiating a ban proposal in Chicago again.....give me a break.....how stupid can "sheeple" be?  They don't care about the restaurant employees, or they would not be trying to terminate these employees incomes. 
 
We are lucky to have a very savvy mayor in Richard M. Daley, whom I hope will continue to fight for Chicago's best interests.
 
 
______________________________
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!

Anti-tobacco group wants smoking sections declared illegal
 
By Charles Thomas
May 6, 2005

How bad is the air quality in bars and restaurants that allow smoking? The Illinois Coalition Against Tobacco says secondhand smoke is a major health problem. It released the results Friday of air quality tests taken in several establishments.

As a national anti-tobacco conference wrapped up Friday evening, the delegates took a parting shot at their host city, releasing results of an air quality study they conducted Thursday night at Chicago restaurants. The night's pub crawl visited Chicago restaurant bars in the Loop, Greek Town, on Taylor Street, and in other neighborhoods, making 37 stops before the researchers and volunteers finished. Each team used a small device to measure dangerous fine particles in the air of the establishments.

The restaurants with smoking sections were six times more polluted than those that are smoke-free.

"It shows that current restrictions on indoor smoking in Chicago aren't effective in protecting the people of Chicago from the harms of secondhand smoke," said Mark Travers, researcher.

The Illinois Coalition Against Tobacco wants the city to declare restaurant smoking sections illegal and to ban indoor smoking all together.

"There is no safe or acceptable level of secondhand smoke as the air quality tests from Chicago show. A non-smoking section doesn't protect anyone," said Dr. Susan Buchanan, UIC hospital.

New York and Los Angeles have banned restaurant smoking, making Chicago the largest city in the country that still permits smoking sections. Restaurant owners in Chicago have opposed the total ban, saying it would hurt business.

Smoker Jamie Lyons says the availability of the smoking section does make a difference.

"If it's a place I'm going to have dinner and have a drink, yeah, it would bother me if I couldn't have a smoking section," said Jamie Lyons, Schererville, Indiana.

Other smokers disagree.

"I could not smoke for an hour, enjoy myself with a dinner with my girlfriend or my mother," said Lawrence Robinson, Chicago.

Tobacco opponents say it's also an issue of workplace safety for waiters and bartenders who don't have a choice.

"The fact is, nobody should have to sacrifice their health for a paycheck," said Janet Williams, Illinois Coalition Against Tobacco.

There is an indoor clean-air ordnance pending in the Chicago City Council. It could come up for a vote later this year.
http://abclocal.go.com/

(ABC7Chicago.com published this news story today, May 20, 2005: Anti-tobacco group wants smoking sections declared illegal, although this story is dated May 6th. )

(Note from the Editor:  The Smoker's Club, Inc. did get an email a few hours after this "Spy" article was put online.  We were told that no air tests were done.  If Anti's want to be believed, they shouldn't lie.  They could choose not to lie.  Good people are honest, even if the truth isn't what they want.  Little children do "crazy lying" like when saying they didn't eat the cake, when the cake in question is all over their tiny little faces.  It's not so cute on adults.  Grow up. )