November 30, 2005

Smokin’

Filed under: Politics — and written by Bertie @ 6:59 am

Sorry, that’s a Jim Carrey reference. I’ll go and lie down.

The Commons yesterday was debating extending the not-yet-enacted ban on smoking in public places. Lots of steam from both sides, mostly about the impact of smoking on workers in pubs and restaurants.

One question, however. I don’t deny that there is now strong evidence of the impact of passive/secondary smoking. However, all the research I’ve seen focuses on smoking within the home (ie the impact of partners’ or parents’ smoke). I’m also aware of a couple of cases in the US where bar employees have sued their ex-employers for ‘getting’ lung cancers, though causality was never proved.

Is their any evidence that proves that exposure to smoke, say, four-six hours a day for five-six days a week leads to lung cancer? And, if not, and if it’s an ‘intuitive’ jump, given the average knowledge of the public and politicians about scientific research (and I include myself in that), is there any rationale for this expansion in policy beyond yet more restrictions to freedom?

November 29, 2005

The disposable sex

Filed under: Blogworld, Politics — and written by Bertie @ 9:13 pm
November 28, 2005

And more or less informed consent

Filed under: Meejah, Politics — and written by Bertie @ 8:25 pm
November 27, 2005

Oooh, green with envy

Filed under: Blogworld — and written by Bertie @ 11:22 am

Classy 404 message

Filed under: Blogworld — and written by Bertie @ 10:23 am
November 26, 2005

The ship of state

Filed under: Politics — and written by Bertie @ 8:53 am

Give me a chip in the brain and have done with it

Filed under: Politics — and written by Bertie @ 8:46 am
November 25, 2005

A used TV for Eddie Murphy

Filed under: Rants — and written by Bertie @ 7:06 pm

Unabomber

Filed under: Meejah, Rants — and written by Bertie @ 6:58 pm

Saving the best to last

Filed under: Meejah — and written by Bertie @ 6:39 pm
November 24, 2005

Weird world

Filed under: Meejah — and written by Bertie @ 9:32 pm
November 20, 2005

Shut the fuck up

Filed under: Blogworld — and written by Bertie @ 1:21 pm
November 19, 2005

Essential reading

Filed under: Black Humour — and written by Bertie @ 11:35 am
November 18, 2005

Perverts in need

Filed under: Rants — and written by Bertie @ 4:48 pm

Kissin cousins

Filed under: Politics, Rants — and written by Bertie @ 2:19 pm

Blogshire

Filed under: Blogworld — and written by Bertie @ 11:35 am

Local news

Filed under: Politics — and written by Bertie @ 11:02 am

Back-rubbing

Filed under: Blogworld — and written by Bertie @ 10:02 am
November 17, 2005

Bursting bubbles

Filed under: Blogworld — and written by Bertie @ 11:24 am

Those damn euro-peens

Filed under: Piracy — and written by Bertie @ 9:07 am