I remember when eggs were scientifically considered to be bad for you. It caused high cholesterol, apparently the egg framers did not agree with that science. So now we have new science that proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that eggs are now magically good for you. I don't know about you but I think some Benjamin's changed hands. Science is for sale, regardless of what some people think is a political statement.
I am a smoker and Australia has by far the highest prices for all forms of tobacco in the world. It is also very demonised in Australia. A couple of years ago and really by way of accident not intent, I got involved with what was happening behind the scenes.
The American FDA became very involved in about 2007. The big drivers of anti smoking are big Pharmaceutical and age care, remembering aged care extends way beyond just nursing homes. In short, smokers are bad for business as our length of survival following a diagnosis or about an health problem is much much shorter.
A couple of months ago I phoned a gov't place in Australia called Quit Now. I said I am a smoker and 71 and is it true that a heart attack or stroke is more likely to be fatal for me. A resounding Yes and then "hang on a minute while I get you a list etc." So the read out a list of various health issues and survival following diagnosis for smoker and non smoker. So I said "what you are saying is if I wanted to avoid a lot of hospital stays over many years or avoid aged/health care I should increase my smoking". I can't describe the reaction on the other end of the phone.
We are also very bad for business for many medical specialities.
We also have a big push for "you are never to old to stop etc. and etc." One of the things that happens is if you get a life long smoker who is 65 and over and very much 70 plus who is in good shape for his age, I fit that category, they usually do poorly with health if they stop smoking. The problem is all the other things they change from when and what they eat/drink, sleep etc. and I guess if they have been life long smokers and in good shape for their age the other things they were doing were right for their bodies. They then become customers of the doctor and of course customers for drug companies.
If you knock down a coal fire power station how much money is earned (and with huge subsidies) to put together and erect all the windmills and solar panels and back up batteries to replace that coal fired power station.
The extinction alarmists in Australia would not have a clue. Virtually all the coal and gas that comes out of the ground in Australia is exported. If we went 100% renewable out exports would rise by a small amount so same amount of coal and gas burnt and it does not matter whether it is burnt in China, Japan or India as climate change is supposed to be Global.
Australia has gone from what was probably the cheapest electricity for business and home in the world to now one of the most expensive.