The Smoking Empire Strikes Back

And they're organizing a boycott against a handful of big charities:

Smoking rights groups, bar owners and Libertarian political parties are taking aim at some major charities.

They say the charities support smoking bans that threaten civil rights and small business.

The groups in nine states complain that charities such as the American Cancer Society, American Lung Association and American Heart Association use their lobbying power to help write state and local smoking bans.

Link.

We vacillate on the smoking issue. We hate cigarette smoke--the smell, the stinging of our eyes, the irritation--and we remember with disgust years of dealing with rude smokers before they were put on the defensive. But on the other hand, the anti-smoking people lack all moderation and charity in their attacks, and we hate state laws against smoking in bars (such things should be left to the individual bar owner; if it's such a great idea, a few owners will implement a ban and make a ton of money). So basically, we're in a win-win situation: we can poke fun at both sides.