Posted on 04/27/2005 7:21:27 AM PDT by SheLion
Italy's new health minister said he wants more public smoking areas, sharply reduced under a new ban, and slammed what he called a trend towards obsessive health policies, in published comments.
"There is a real threat that we are heading towards a therapeutic society ... a medical tyranny of doctors and a minister who are the only ones allowed to say what constitues 'good living'," said Francesco Storace in an interview with Corriere della Sera.
A smoker himself who is "trying to quit", Storace said he would examine whether it was possible to boost the number of smoking areas, which were slashed under the smoking ban imposed on bars, restaurants, offices and other public places that took effect on January 10.
The minister said he had already discussed with Deputy Prime Minister Giulio Tremonti whether "there is the possibility in the law to increase the areas for smokers."
His predecessor Girolamo Shirchia -- who also fought against obesity after pushing through the smoking ban -- promoted "the ideology of 'healthism'," said Storace, who was brought into the new center-right cabinet after loosing his post as president of the Lazio region around Rome in elections earlier this month.
"I don't consider 'healthism' blasphemy, but I am against its excesses.
"I prefer to concentrate more on traditional illnesses than on diet. We have to be careful of those who tell others what to do," he said.
http://www.terra.net.lb/
This is VERY good news.
The ousted Health Minister is under a great deal of scrutiny for possible "dirty dealings" with the pharmaceutical industry. Additionally, at least one, if not more, lawsuits have already been filed against him.
The new Health Minister sounds like a breath of fresh air.
I couldn't agree more! And even though he is trying to quit smoking, he doesn't believe in forcing his will on others. VERY refreshing indeed.
Big Pharm. Yep. I'm sure thankful for Italy that they came out from behind closed doors.
They're getting it faster than the US is.
As I commented on another thread a few days ago - the VAST majority of former smokers do not become antis, regardless of what the antis try to lead folks to believe.
I know!
I understand that. It's just the ones who do really make all former smoker's look bad.
Don't we already have this in the U.S.? I guess ours is doctors and judges.
Isn't that always the way.....one bad apple spoils the whole bunch.
The antis have become quite successful in their use of broadbrush techniques.
I wis the Italians nothing but success in putting the antis in their place for good.
We have Big Pharmacy, the Medical field, the Boards of Health, the Partnership for a Tobacco Free everything, Phillip Morris's anti-tobacco TV ads, Attorney Generals, most lawmakers who have been swayed, local city councils.
You name it we got it. The list of highly paid professional anti's in the states is over whelming.
Then, when the war on the smoker didn't work, the above then turned their sites on the general non-smoking public telling them that the smokers are killing everyone with the second hand smoke.
Boy me too! He sounds like a nice reasonable man. At least one who can be reasoned with. I think it's wonderful.
When it comes to the anti-smoker jihad, reasonableness is about as good as we can get at this point.
I've got to run some errands - I'll check back later.
Ok drive safe!! :)
"The new Health Minister sounds like a breath of fresh air."
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