TICAP 2010 - Monday 15th March

12:35: Break for lunch

12:31: Patrick Basham answers this question from the comments by saying that the 'ghettoisation' of lifestyles is perverse use of non-violent government funds. He states that not only would it be unacceptable if used against certain other sections of society, but the protagonists would also be on trial.

Maryetta Ables: "The one unifying factor in the tea party movement is that their government is not listening to them"

12:27 In answer to a question, Maryetta Ables gives a rundown of the US tea party movement.

12:20: Michael Marlow reminds us of the part media has to play. With reference to the poor standard of many studies which are repeated verbatim, he stresses the importance of 'embarrassing' the press into reporting correctly.

12:17: Gawain Towler stresses that Freedom of Information requests are the best way for individuals to put a spotlight on dubious, or manipulated, government activities

12:15: In answer to a question on how to encourage people to fight back, Patrick Basham suggests that things will most likely get worse before the public decide they have had enough.

Questions from the floor.

12:00: With further reference to Climategate (whether one is a climate sceptic or not), Towler concludes by stating that people are beginning to wake up and object to authoritarianism and sloppy science to enforce prohibitions.

11:55: Towler suggests that, as in the row over tamiflu over-supply, a way of fighting prohibition is by members of the public getting "noisy on the internet", and "complaining and making a fuss". He refers to the recent Nick Hogan case as an example of the effectiveness of individual action.

11:50: Towler discusses Dr Wolfgang Wodarg's criticism of the swine flu hysteria and its link to pharmaceutical companies.

11:43: Conference reconvenes with a short address from Gawain Towler, UKIP Press Officer.

Coffee break, after which the speakers will answer questions.

11:20: Ables explores the options open to businesses if they wish to object to prohibition. She finishes by highlighting a few web sites where the public can attempt to give citizen opinions to these large bodies.

11:10: Ables explains the intricate network of worldwide NGOs which communicate with each other and unite using globally sites such as IGC. She also describes the unaccountability of the EU via their EU-wide treaties.

11:05: Ables points out that although legislation is couched as being for, and by, the public, governments have learned how to circumvent "Joe Q Public".

11:00: Ables describes how the UN, the EU and the EU Economic and Social Committee are effectively one and the same, and all promising to abide by all treaties produced by the UN.

10:55: Maryetta Ables begins to speak.

10:52: Basham finishes with an optimistic view. He hopes that in a decade there may be a stronger opposition to public health bullying as coercion begins to be viewed as too severe. He declares metaphorically, "God is not dead, just drunk".

10:47: Basham describes the new bully state policy of denormalisation of alcohol, and public health's war on fun, generally.

Basham: "Abandonment of health autonomy endangers other freedoms also"

10:42: Basham describes the habit of public health advocates of dismissing studies funded by those they mistrust as 'lazy' (not analysing the data behind conclusions). He points to US government-funded studies on alcohol which ignored results showing a benefit to moderate drinking, highlighting bias on both sides of the debate.

Dr Patrick Basham

10:35: Basham states that evidence shows that the deluge of health warnings confuse rather than educate. He says packaging should come with a label stating "Danger: Bureaucrats at work".

Basham: "State coercion is 'in', the nanny state has become the bully state"

10:30: Basham describes the 'Nuffield Report' which called for 'more invasive' measures on public health, and dismissed individual personal responsibility.

10:27: Dr Patrick Basham begins his speech.

10:25: Marlow closes by describing proven unfortunate consequences for public health caused by smoking bans. Such as increases in drink driving, damage to health due to more intense smoking, claims of reduced heart attacks leads to less concern about other causal factors, reduction in provision of air filtration, and production of junk science leading to public scepticism in all areas of public health.

10:15: Marlow: Public health studies on hospitality businesses 'misrepresent evidence' by funding their own studies (leading to inherent bias), dismissing or ignoring contrary evidence and using flawed methodology.

10:05: Marlow points to Deborah Arnott's statement on the jailing of Nick Hogan as proof that bans harm hospitality businesses. The fact that Arnott pointed to bars having to change their way of doing business is economic proof that damage has been inflicted.

09:55: Marlow argues that the idea of smoking bans causing no damage to the hospital industry is not supported by economic studies. He explains Coase Theorem on the reciprocal nature of externalities, and that bar owners will naturally direct resources toward their highest-valued customers and a free market results. He then goes on to point out that although tobacco control demand prohibition, the market was adjusting to the needs of all of its customers anyway.

09:50: Michael Marlow begins his powerpoint presentation

TICAP Top Table

09:40: Wiel Maessen gives the opening address

09:00: Delegates are arriving and enjoying a cup of coffee prior to the conference. Updated schedule:

09:45 - Michael Marlow The economic inpact of smoking bans in hospitality venues
10:10 - Patrick Basham The campaign to call time on alcohol freedom
10:35 - Maryeta Ables Civil society and prohibition
11:00 - Coffee break
11:15 - Gawain Towler
11:30 - Questions
12:30 - Lunch Break
14:15 - David Goerlitz The anti-smoking movement and global corruption
14:40 - Kamal Chouachi Prohibition through the hookah looking glass
15:05 - Michael McFadden Fighting prohibitions: Tools, tactics and strategies
15:30 - Coffee break
15:45 - Questions
17:00 - Closing address