Fadism At Its Worst

Doubtless you are all aware of Nanny's obsession with banning smoking. The fact that a large number of health care professionals smoke, drink and take drugs is conveniently ignored.

It seems to be a case of do what we say, not do as we do.

Up until now, you may have been forgiven for thinking that at least the policy of banning smoking was based on some form of credible scientific evidence.

Maybe not.

The president of the Faculty of Public Health, Prof Rod Griffiths, is coming to the end of his first year in office.

He has aired his views on banning smoking.

He is quoted as saying that the Department of Health in England is now in the awkward position of appearing to defend the rights of smokers. The public health community would have to work hard to bring this situation to an end, to ensure all workers are protected from harmful second-hand tobacco smoke. Without a comprehensive ban, England will begin to look incredibly "out-of-date", he said.

Quote:

"If we can have a ban on smoking in New York and San Francisco then we can achieve a ban anywhere. Scotland and Wales are making moves in this direction and England will soon be looking very out-of-date. London is possibly the most cosmopolitan city in the world and it ought to be leading the way on this."

In other words, he is trying to implement a health policy on the simple basis that because others do it we must follow suit.

How very scientific!

Fadism at its worst.