The book
Welcome. Thanks for visiting and please stay a while. Velvet Glove, Iron Fist is the first comprehensive history of the anti-smoking movement. This book has not yet been published but several chapters are available here free of charge (these are chapters three, ten, eleven and thirteen). Or you might prefer to start with the introduction.
In the news
05.08.08:
Velvet Glove author obtains data from Wales showing that heart attack incidence rose after the Welsh smoking ban. Politician accused of wilfully misleading the public. See original article and this from Dr Michael Siegel, plus this from (the excellent) Reason magazine.31.07.08: Ten months after it hit the headlines, the Scottish heart attack study has finally been published. Initial suspicions have been confirmed. Read more here.
06.07.08
: The British Medical Association sets 2035 as a "realistic" date for wiping out smoking in the UK, according to the BBC. 28.06.08: ASH (USA) supports banning smoking in the home "even if no nonsmokers' health is being put at risk". Tobacco control expert Dr Michael Siegel criticises the measure here.What's new?
A selection of articles about recent events or subjects too obscure to fit into the book:
In the first five months of the Welsh smoking ban, heart attacks incidence was higher than in the previous year. No one would claim that this was related to the ban. So why, when incidence goes down, do some people attribute it to the legislation?
Cartman takes on the anti-smokers
South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone talk about why they wrote an episode attacking the anti-smoking movement.
What would the great libertarian John Stuart Mill have made of the modern anti-smoking crusade?
In October 2007, the anti-smoking pressure group Action on Smoking and Health released a press release which dismissed claims that pubs and bingo halls would see a drop in trade as a result of the smoking ban as 'myths'. This article examines how credible ASH's position is six months on. This topic is revisited here.
Publish and Be Damned looks at the claim that heart attacks fell dramatically in Scotland following the smoking ban. Updated here: Scottish Heart Miracle Unspun.
For those who might be interested, I have compiled a full, annotated list of every passive smoking study ever conducted involving women married to smokers. 64 studies are assessed in total, most of which can be downloaded in full here or here
What they're saying about Velvet Glove
"Prepare to learn a lot, and much in the nature of revelations, from a dedicated researcher and lucid prose stylist."
"Highly provocative and consistently entertaining"
"I think this is a remarkable book. It deserves to reach a wide audience."
"An absorbing read, I have just finished the history of tobacco section and was educated in an enjoyable way, I will certainly be buying this book when it is published."
"Mr. Snowdon's prose is lucid and dispassionate, his reporting is meticulous, and his research is awesome."
"Thanks for the preview, Chris...absorbing reading and easily understood by the layman."
"Absolutely epic piece of work, well done!"
"I just read everything and I think your book will be excellent. We just had a total smoking ban pass here in Louisville and I have been very curious about why this has happened so fast and to such an extreme. Your book answered many questions. I can't wait to read the rest."
Although parts of this book have been made available free of charge, all material on this website is subject to copyright. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any party without prior written permission of Christopher Snowdon.
You can contact the author by e-mail at author@velvetgloveironfist.com
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