Who we are and what we fight for...in Geneva/Switzerland
The non profit association « Geneva Dissidents » (Dissident(e)s de Genève / Switzerland) was established on 15th June 2008 by two famous Geneva attorneys-at-law and a 68 year-old retired journalist following the vote by the legislative body and a majority of 80 % citizens in favour of a Prohibition paragraph to be added to the Constitution of the State of Geneva, one of the 23 States of Federal Switzerland.
The issue of the smoking ban was raised by a group of anti-smokers in Geneva who launched a so called « popular initiative » whereby 10'000 citizens may put forward a new piece of legislation, provided it is in accordance with the local State and the Federal Constitution. Then, the issue must be submitted to the vote of all citizens.
Furthermore, there is also a Federal Prohibition law in Switzerland allowing pubs and restaurants smaller than 80 square meters to decide on their own whether they accept smokers or not but each of the 23 States is entitled to pass a more restrictive legislation. This is the case in the State of Geneva. Some villages (i.e: Erlinsbach) sitting on two States may be « smokers welcome» on the sunny side of the street and prohibited on the shadowy side:-)
Immediately after the historical vote in favour of Prohibition back in 2008, the Geneva State Government hastened to pass a very strict byelaw, from it's own will, without any debate and prior approval by the local Parliament. Prohibition was thus decreed and applied (illegally!) during the months of June, July and September 2008. The average intake loss for pub and restaurant owners amounted to ...50 % during that period!
This offhand manner of the Geneva Government inspired the above mentionned attorneys-at-law to challenge that weird piece of legislation. They appealed...successfully to Switzerland's Federal High Court against that Prohibition Law. The smoking ban in Geneva was found illegal and immediately invalidated by the High Court. This temporary victory turned the lawyers of the Crown into a laughing stock of the country. The local Governement of the State of Geneva had no right whatsoever to enforce such a Prohibition without prior approval by the local Parliament, the Court ruled.
Then, on 22nd January 2009, the local Geneva Parliament voted a « new » Prohibition law after a four-and-a-half hour hot debate. The left and the Greens voted wholeheartedly in favour of the smoking ban. The only resistance and opposition came from the Center and Right Wing Parties.
This is when we, the « Geneva Dissidents » with the vital help of the Geneva Society of pubs, restaurants and hotels (Société des cafetiers, restaurateurs et hôteliers de Genève / SCRHG) decided to launch a « popular referendum » against that unacceptable pernicious law. More than 14'000 citizens signed our referendum against the Prohibition law in a matter of 30 days. (The legal minimum required was 7'000 in 40 days).
This is why the citizens of the Geneva State have to vote on this issue again on 27 th September 2009... The issue is uncertain. Yo don't get rid of 30 years of world brainwashing so easily...
The local Prohibitionnists are supported by a financial yearly State help of some EUROS 600'000' while our DDG rely on the sole contributions of our own members and donors. Our opponents use part of their subsidy to finance their advertising campaign not only to discourage people from smoking (which one could admit as legitimate) but also and above all in favour of their moronic fight against an alleged « lethal second hand smoke ».
Our articles of association include the followings provisions:
« The Geneva Dissidents fight for all those freedoms that are threatened by growing restrictions, limitations of the State. We are doing our utmost to prevent and fight against the harassment of citizens and inhabitants submitted to abuse of power, technical and State abuses, etc.
One paragraph of our byelaws mentions specifically « our commitment to behave in such a way as to act in favour of smokers in order to prevent them from being banished from society ».
Presently, we have a strength of just over 100 members (growing).
Footnote: we are busy gathering arguments to expose the fraud and bias of the junk science report according to which there should be reasons to believe in the alleged and mythical « lethal second hand smoke ». . Any help welcome !
J.-A. Widmer, Chairman of the Dissident(e)s de Genève http://lesdissidentsdegeneve.ch
easysmoke@gmail.com
Tel: +41 22 800 04 04
