Sorry we were late, we were just tuning
In the words of Lou Reed (Live: Take No Prisoners, 1978):
"Hello. Sorry we were late, but we were just tuning."
Yes, after several delays (my fault) we have finally launched the Action on Consumer Choice website.
The campaign, as I've mentioned before, is modelled very loosely on the Center for Consumer Freedom in Washington.
Unlike CFF, which focuses exclusively on food and drink, ACC will cover eating, drinking, smoking and vaping.
Here's a bit of the press release:
Consumers opposed to excessive regulations have launched a website that will defend the rights of adults to eat, drink, smoke and vape without disproportionate government intervention.
Action on Consumer Choice will feature news and commentary highlighting the latest threats to consumer freedom. Campaigners say they want the site to become a focal point for adults who believe in freedom of choice and personal responsibility.
Launching the new website, Simon Clark, director of the smokers' group Forest that manages the Action on Consumer Choice campaign, said:
"Enough is enough. It's time to put consumer choice and personal responsibility back on the political agenda.
"The freedom to smoke has been eroded to such an extent that anti-smoking campaigners now want smoking banned in outdoor public places including beaches, parks and beer gardens.
"The zealots in charge of public health are also targeting other products such as alcohol, sugary drinks and convenience food.
"Even the e-cigarette, a potential harm reduction product, is threatened with restrictions that could severely limit the choices available to consumers."
Rob Lyons, campaigns manager for Action on Consumer Choice, said: "It's crazy that governments think it's appropriate to dictate how and what we eat, drink, smoke or vape.
"If we're to defend consumer choice we have to start with an unabashed defence of our right to indulge in so-called bad habits."
To register your support for the campaign and receive occasional newsletters sign up here.
See also Hey, Shut Up! (Extract from Lou Reed: The Life).