Resolution on Terminology

Resolution

 

Whereas Public Health is best served when greater portions of the population accept its messages, and

 

Whereas marginalizing any portion of the public through the use of polarizing labels undermines an otherwise positive message, and

 

Whereas language both expresses thoughts and shapes them, and

 

Whereas the term “smoker” creates through language the perception of a separate “class” where no such class legally exists, and

 

Whereas smoking is a consumer choice, not a condition of birth, and

 

Whereas the term “smoker” generally carries negative connotations, and

 

Whereas labeling and categorizing people has lead to incredible human suffering and injustice, and

 

Whereas it our message is that it is tobacco and secondhand smoke that are harmful, not the individuals that use them, and

 

Whereas the tobacco industry harms all people, not just those who smoke, and

 

Whereas we believe that it is important to recognize the dignity of all persons, regardless of their smoking status,

 

We, ___________________ resolve to eliminate the term “smoker” whenever possible, from our communications.  We resolve instead to discuss the issue of smoking, where smoking occurs and how all human beings are harmed by the use of commercial tobacco.