User Reviews

In this episode P&T show their Libertarian ideological leanings as they bash the public smoking ban proposed in NYC. Whereas earlier episodes brought on scientists and doctors to debunk pseudoscience the best they can do here is a Libertarian radio talk show host, a mouthpiece from the Cato Institute (a libertarian "think tank") and Elizabeth Whelan, founder/director of the American Council on Science and Health. (The ACSH has a dubious reputation. Although they claim their mission is "to add reason and balance to debates about public health issues and bring common sense scientific views to the public," they have been criticized for siding with industry over the consumer on many issues.)

The crux of P&T's argument is that the government should not have the right to legislate behavior and poor smokers are being demonized for making an unpopular choice. Of course the rights of the non-smoker are easily dismissed: "If you don't like the smoking in this bar/restaurant, go somewhere else. The health risks are unproven and any objection to the smell or reduced air quality is just opinion."

OK, yes, non-smokers do have the choice to patronize non-smoking venues, but this argument is hypocritical and selfish. Whilst railing against the government for impugning the "right" to smoke these people show no compunction about denying others the "right" to not be subjected to second hand smoke. Why should the people NOT engaging in the contentious behavior be the ones to adjust their behavior and simply accept something offensive to them? (And what's easier: asking smokers to step outside for a few minutes or forcing non-smokers to avoid entire establishments?)

The show spends plenty of time interviewing outraged smokers and venue owners; portraying them as victims, but never once interviews a waitress, food service worker, or bartender who might enjoy the chance to work in a smoke free environment. The only person interviewed in support of the NYC smoking ban is Joe Cherner, President of Smoke Free Educational Services. P&T do their best to make him look as foolish and ignorant as the UFO nuts and psychics from previous shows. Yes, he may be deluded or misled, and when backed into a corner during his interview he falters as he tries to shore up his argument. But ultimately his motives are altruistic. He genuinely feels that smoking and second hand smoke pose a major public health risk and he is putting millions of dollars of his own money into trying to make people healthier. For this he is shamelessly attacked and ridiculed by P&T.

P&T blame the second hand smoke "hysteria" on a 1999 Environmental Protection Agency report. They claim that the adverse effects of second hand smoke are "Bullshit" based on the fact that the finding of this report were ruled against in a Federal court case. Of course they fail to mention that the case was brought against the EPA by Philip Morris and five other "Big Tobacco" companies and argued in North Carolina. The possibility of a biased result should be self evident.

If one looks closely at the case one will see the findings of the EPA showed second hand smoke contains chemicals required to label it a "Class A Carcinogen" but failed to prove that second hand smoke had ever directly caused cancer. Knowing that second hand smoke CAN cause cancer doesn't prove it actually HAS caused cancer, as the EPA alleged. So, yes, technically the EPA overstepped. This DOES NOT, however, lead to the conclusion that second hand smoke is safe. In fact, many studies since 1999 have shown demonstrably the causal link between second hand smoke and various health problems.

P&T's Bullshit does not claim to be a science show. It is entertainment first and foremost. As such ridicule and humiliation are par for the course. However, one would hope that if they are taking the time and money to do an expose they would at least do some objective research and leave the libertarian agenda behind.