Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Tobacconists strike back


I told you the other day that the new anti smoking law that will take effect in early 2007 was pretty controversial. Well, it did not take too long before the tobacconists went on strike, and guess what, I went to their demonstration especially for you. Obviously they don't agree with this law (what a surprise!) and this guy even dressed as a prisoner to show that it restrains individuals' freedom. Don't ask me to translate the sign he's wearing, but essentially, it says that only the people who sell fake cigarettes who are in jail will be able to smoke.

54 comments:

  1. If this guy is lucky, and his strike is successful, then I guess you could call it a Lucky Strike! Ahhhh...I know that one was bad.

    How many people were at the strike Eric? Were they all smoking?

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  2. I don't know, not that many, but I arrived pretty late. I'd say between 50 and 100 and, yes, a lot of them were smoking. For once pushers use their stuff!

    Lucky Strike, Ha ha! Excellent!

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  3. Michael, You always crack me up! Lucky Strike indeed!
    I feel sorry for the tobacconists. They are about to lose their livelihood. Some of them have been in a family business for generations...selling that awful stuff. My parents, grandparents,several aunts and uncles have all died from lung cancer. They were all heavy smokers of Camels and Luckies. Our home, when I was a kid, was always filled with smoke fog and stench of tobacco. I hated it then as I hate it now. I will probably die from the second hand smoke even though I have never smoked at all.

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  4. Ah! How the French love to protest!

    On one of your earlier daily posts someone wondered whether it will be enforceable...I think it will as it is here. The non-smokers will become empowered like they are here and cough loudly and complain to the smokers! At least that's how it's done here.

    I say this as I light up...good evening everyone!

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  5. A strike, eh? Why am I not suprised? :)

    Michael: ROFL! Lucky Strike! Good one!

    "Paradox of French Politics" hmmm... I don't think the French have a monopoly on that one, but let's not get anything started here ;)

    Johnny Parsons: George Burns died in his 90's, I believe, and he was a heavy cigar smoker (and a drinker). So you never know.

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  6. Like the black and white shot because it seems to be a black and white issue!

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  7. Come on Michael, your joke is excellent!

    But for the sake of the PDP Parisian atmosphere, I assume the French dude would smoke a Gauloise or a Gitane sans filtre...

    Far less funny I am afraid ;-)

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  8. Camels - the only cigarette with a picture of the factory on the packet.

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  9. Tomate,

    What are talking about: "Paradox of French Politics"? I read everything but don't see any mention of that so I am confused at your comment.

    Anyway, for the Americans, remember to vote tomorrow! And I hope you vote based on the most dire issues and not on a party-line!

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  10. Yes yes, definately remember to vote. Lots of important issues. In Missouri our 2 biggest are a tobacco tax increase of 50% (I think) and an issue relating to stem cell research.

    Michael, you are too humble. That was a great joke!

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  12. Susan - the paradox of French politics (paradoxe de la politique française)is on the protester's sign.

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  13. I would have bben disappointed if the smokers hadn't gone on strike. It seems everyone goes on strike there for something or other. When our plane landed in April, we had to sit on the runway for 30 minutes because the baggage handlers were having a half hour strike...

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  14. Thanks Buzzgirl!

    I urge all Americans to read this, regardless of your present opinions. All the more powerful considering this is from a New York Times company:

    Click here

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  15. You are giving the impression that strikes are an everyday activity!!! LOL...

    Just a question... Shouldn't the sign say "seront libreS"?

    Greetings from Chile

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  16. George Burns was 103 years old when he died and they added him to the list of people who died from smoking!

    While I am a non-smoker, I believe it's a sham to ban smoking in public places. If it is that bad, why not outlaw it completely! [I know, they don't want to lose the revenue]

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  17. I think it's André Malraux who said, "La liberté de chacun s'arrête où commence la liberté de l'autre" = everyone's freedom stops where others' starts. Something smokers in France never understood/accepted. If you smoke, it *does* bother non-smokers. And I'm one of them. I love living in smoke-free California just for that. My friends would say, it's like banning someone from drinking. No: if you drink, it's your thing. If you smoke, it's your environment's. Remember that, smokers. And quit being such self-centered toxicos.

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  18. Ok, thanks for the encouragement (you might regret it!).

    Now, since YOU brought up politics (not me), regardless of whether you are in the U.S. voting on Tuesday or not, and regardless of your political point of view, you HAVE to see this post on Elisabeth's blog. Great music, great images. You'll also notice that smoking is NOT one of the world's major issues today. Let's keep it all in perspective. PEACE

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  19. Wrong Frog!!! More innocent people are killed from drunk drivers than so-called "second hand smoke." So your claim that smoking infringes upon people while alcohol does not is flawed.

    Slinger's point about George Burns is right on! And just look at Johnny Parson...72 years old and lived in a house full of smoke as a child....obviously second hand smoke didn't hurt him.

    Now I am certainly not saying smoking is healthy for those of us that do. And I do understand non-smokers may not like the smell but this demonizing and FALSE information about "second hand" smoke really gets me going! La Frog even called us all "self-centered"!!!

    Enough already with the self-righteousness! Not to mention the propaganda. Some non-smokers are as fanatical as those evangelists! Expecting everyone to live by your rules and morals.

    I'd be happy if each place decided whether to be smoking or non-smoking. That fits better with our (the West) ideology of freedom anyway.

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  20. Thanks Michael! Yes, politics is tricky...but there is too much at stake, non?

    I loved the video.

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  21. exact edulabbe... et il manque aussi un "s" à seul.

    le paradoxe susan, est que, d'après ce manifestant,"seuls"... les individus emprisonnés pour avoir introduit et/ou vendu du tabac en fraude (les contrebandiers) pourront continuer à fumer (seront libres);
    la loi ne s'appliquera sans doute pas en milieu carcéral dans un premier temps -à vérifier-.
    le protestataire sous-entend ainsi que les gens "non-internés" ( libres) seront faits prisonniers (internés en fait) par l'interdiction...

    à l'arrivée,tout cela semble bien fumeux, non?

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  22. Michael..you make me laugh^_^:

    Thanks for dropping by my other blog, Eric. About the tobacco issue, I hope the government and people come to an amiable agreement soon.

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  23. Pas d'accord, LA Frog. I don't smoke, but other people smoking outside do not bother me.

    In fact, I intend to vote NO on proposition 86 tomorrow because in my opinion, taxing a single pack of cigarettes $2.60 to allegeldy help pay health care establishments (for what? nobody really knows!!) is just highway robbery.

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  24. that 50-100 people hided very successfully. Because people in the background rather seem to wait for buses.:)

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  25. > Janet : totallement d'accrod avec votre commentaire sur la "démonstration" (au sens français du terme !) fumeuse du manifestant. Ce qui n'empêche, bien sûr, une certaine solidarité avec les buralistes, de la part d'un fumeur occasionnel !

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  26. we just passed a non-smoking law so practically everywhere that is not your own private property is off limits - its great for me because I do not do well in smoky areas.

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  27. Another french paradox about banning smoking in public places in France: I juste heard this morning on the radio that railway platforms in the open air will be non smoking areas too. ;o)

    What you should know is that in France, growing and selling tobacco is a state monopole, so cigarette sellers need a public agreement to open their shop. Most of them invest a lot of money in it, while the governement on the other hand rises the prices of cigarette packets by the mean of heavy taxes.
    In short, selling cigarettes or cigars has long been a secure way to regular income, and is no longer.

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  28. Hoohoo, how's that for a heated debate?
    We are lucky in Australia that smoking is rare. People here are sports and health minded and they know better than to smoke.
    In France my boss was a chain smoker and the stink on my hair and clothes when I came out of the office was a real nuisance. No more, thank you very much! Whilst I may not die from passive smoking, I live better without it!

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  29. Quant au manifestant photographié, je lui conseillerais d'arrêter la fumette, je trouve son message complètement.... fumeux !

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  30. I wish I still smoked... Great picture - hope they come to agreement.

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  31. English translation is as close as i can get it -
    Paradox of French politics
    Only the internals (politicians?) will be free. The smoking contrabandiers are imprisoned if they smoke.
    Great blog, great pics.

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  32. Eric, Thank you for your indefatigable tracking down of every protest in Paris for us! Do you think there are more protests or museums?

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  33. This photo captures the excitement of the streets, of life, of ideas. Very interesting photo, Eric.

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  34. WARNING! The following will shock you: A US white male cigarette smoker has an 8% lifetime chance of dying from lung cancer.

    You have been led to believe it was at least 75% or so, right? Do you know why you've been led to believe that? Do you even know WHO PAYS for all these studies we are bombarded with? Pharmaceutical companies...that's who. Evil pharmaceutical companies that have a controlling interest in all our governments. Why do they do this? Money. Since 80+ people are not successful in quitting (I have tried about 5 times...each time using the pharmaceutical company's patches). One foundation, The Rockefeller Foundation, has donated $5 BILLION USD to states lobbying for higher taxes. Why? The foundation owns tons of stock in J&J...makers of one of the popular patches.

    But that is not the main issue. The issue is FREEDOM. Freedom for business owners, and NOT the GOVERNMENT to decide what is good for us! Freedom from being lied to. I know, most of you don't care because this is not an issue that affects you adversely. That is why I admire people like Slinger and Tomate (and I will never smoke around you ;) ). They see the big picture. Either you hold a value sacred or you do not...regardless of your personal tastes or whether it effects you or not. Because you know what? As our freedoms are being eroded (as they are in the U.S. and elsewhere) and as we continue to gullibly believe everything the government tells us (there is a link between 9/11 and Iraq), we will suffer tremendously and, at least in the U.S., our forefathers will roll over in their graves.

    Now that I'm sufficiently worked up, I think I'll go vote and kick those #&!&%#!%@ out of office!

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  35. Gotta love the French! Is there anything that they won't demonstrate for or against?

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  36. And the freedom of non-smokers? I am a social smoker but I support this law.

    Great image!!

    Greetings from a peruvian in Perú to a good parisian friend

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  37. As a Montrealer where such a law was passed at the end of May, I'm thrilled to be able to go into a bar and stay for more than half an hour before starting to cough uncontrollably. I'm also thrilled to be able to go to a bar and not reek of cigarette smoke afterwards. I haven't been able to go to a bar for years, and suddenly I have access again!!!

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  38. Susan,
    Loved your rant! Even though I hate being blasted by second hand smoke, your government objections seem right on target. Why are we still fighting a war in a country that never had mass destruction equipment and didn't even house the terrorists? Lives and money of our great grandchildren being spent for what? I don't know the answers. Who knows?

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  39. Since this a strike against the new smoking law, how come no one is smoking here?

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  40. Actually, I noticed that rickemmanuel, but another thing amazing is that not all tobacconists actually smoke. Ok, most do, but hey, that's my rationale.

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  41. Sorry, it's me again, but on a more serious note...

    Did you see where in Albuquerque, New Mexico, two police officers sued Burger King, claiming they were served hamburgers that had been sprinkled with marijuana?

    Now there's something to go on strike about. "I told you to hold the mustard, not the marijuana!"

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  42. Michael, I need a beter way to contact you when you leave me a message! If you wouldn't mind, drop me an email at soosha_q@sbcglobal.net from an email address I can reach you at. Ohterwise I'll figure something out, I suppose!

    By the way, thank you for being so funny! Your comments make me laugh before I go to work and when I get home. Nice way to round out the day.

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  43. Dommage qu'il y ait des fautes sur le panneau ...

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  44. Oh wow I love the composition in this picture!

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  45. One of our suburbs just banned smoking and you can't even do it on the sidewalk! There is an ordinance that says you must be X amount of feet from a building, but in the old parts of town where buildings are right on the street you would essentially have to be standing on the center line in the middle of traffic to smoke!

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  46. is he smiling? hehe.i see a small debate has also started in the string of comment posts.

    In NY we had a smoking ban almost 4 years now but because we are not sheep certain establishments still alow the patrons to smoke after certain times when the health department doesn't come. after a while though when demand for non smoking places increases these business will either lose their clientele or will have to ban smoking themselves.

    I am excited to see how the French ban will work :)

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  47. Sally, I hate to disappoint you but Eric only manages to cover 8.3% of French protests, and 0.29% of French strikes. I suspect this is probably because he is on strike (or holiday) most of the time.

    I believe passionately in personal freedom. If someone wants to go skydiving, play live frogger across a freeway, that's fine by me. However personal freedom ends before it affects other people. Otherwise, you could steal with impunity, do anythinbg you want. Why isn't it a freedom for me to be allowed to drink and drive?

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  48. What a wonderful blog and into the bargain quite thought-provoking! I am in Great Britain and adore Paris so it is marvellous to see.
    Quelle surprise et charmant. Je l'aime bien, c'est chouette, merci. J'attends avec l'impatience pour vos avis de mon blog aussi monsieurs et madames. A toute a l'heure! Camille (Nobody) a ... www.diaryofanobodynewlysingle.blogspot.com

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  49. Here's my attempt at translation:

    PARADOX OF FRENCH POLITICS
    ONLY PRISONERS WILL BE FREE
    TOBACCO SMUGGLERS IN PRISON WILL BE ALLOWED TO SMOKE

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  50. Sorry to Susan, your opinion doesn't ring true in my experience. My brother died this February after seven years of post throat cancer servival. He had smoked since age 15 and his cancer was the direct result of smoking. My mother's emphasema, her three current sites of possible cancerous growths (mouth, lung, and breast, and her extreeem ostioporosis have been directly linked to her smoking. The deaths of my mother and father in law were directly related to smoking (emphasema, throat and esphoagal cancer). I would venture to guess many other people's experience also differs from your opinion. When I would visit my relatives homes and they would smoke over the number of days of my visit, I became ill with cold-like or sinous and lung symptoms which went away when I would leave--and I don't have alergies or sensitivities. I hope many Parisians will enjoy the many benefits of less smoke in their environment. With less people smoking, fewer people may begin to take up the practice themselves through influence. And who can afford it, anyway? It's expensive, but especially in the amount of ill health, human suffering and grief it brings worldover.
    -Kim

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  51. For those of us old enough to remember when smoking was banned in many places in the US, there was much griping and moaning. And now, 20 years later, it's considered trés americain not to smoke. Who would have thought that way back when?

    At a recent party here in Paris, some smokers told me that "...the danger from second-hand smoke is a myth!"
    When I asked if they thought global-warming and AIDS were myths, as some people have suggested, they were horrified that I would even think that they were.

    Um...

    Anyhow, logic aside..there was a good article in the IHT, Italians Embrace Life Without Tobacco, which I can confirm after a visit last week. No one was whining or complaining about going outside to smoke: they just did it.
    Personally, I'm more than happy to allow folks to smoke in cafés and bars, but living in a country so obsessed with fine dining and their cuisine, I'm looking forward to having dinner without a cigarette smoldering in an ashtray at the neighboring table.

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  52. pour mieux comprendre ce qui est en jeu dans cette campagne d'interdiction (pour commencer...) de fumer, lisez un peu ce site (il est plurilingue, lui):
    http://www.noslibertes.org/

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