SEAT BELTS:
Refusal To Wear Them Is Part
of the Smoker Symptom Pattern

         Self-test: There is a significant difference between smokers and non-smokers in terms of seat belt use. True or False.

         If you answered "true," you are correct.

"A . . . survey . . . showed that smokers were significantly (p <0.0001) less likely to wear seat belts (62%) than were nonsmokers (34%). This is presumably symptomatic of risk taking." 282 British Medical Journal 896 (14 March 1981).

Doctors have studied the subject; here is a key quotation:
"Truly it may be said that a man drives as he lives. If his personal life is marked by caution, tolerance, foresight, and consideration for others, then he will drive in the same manner. If his personal life is devoid of these desirable characteristics, then his driving will be characterized by [same].—W. A. Tillman, M.D., and G. E. Hobbs, M.D., "The Accident-Prone Automobile Driver: A Study of the Psychiatric and Social Background," 106 American Journal of Psychiatrity 321-331 (November 1949).

Smoking, meaning inhaling substantial quantities of toxic chemicals, is a brain-damaging behavior. Smoking becomes addictive, once the self-defense reflex is damaged, and thus causes mental disorders. Smokers' mental disorder symptoms include “rebellion” and “a considerable feeling of defiance for authority and the individuating thrill of setting aside some rule,” says Maurice J. Barry, Jr., M.D., "Psychologic Aspects of Smoking," 35 Staff Meetings of Mayo Clinic (#13) 386 at 387 (22 June 1960).

In the various debates on whether to make seat-belt use mandatory, these facts are typically ignored. Politicians don't want to offend the tobacco lobby. Saying that it is smokers who disproportionately do not wear seat belts, would offend! So laws are passed against not wearng seat belts. The better solution is to pass laws banning cigarettes, as Tennessee and Iowa did. That better solution renders everyone a non-smoker, the group far more likely to wear seat belts.

Below are links to more information on the lifestyle of death, and other matters in which it has a disproportionate role:

AIDS
ALCOHOLISM
ALZHEIMER'S
CRIME
DRUGS
OVERVIEW
SIDS
SUICIDE

Medical studies have shown why the "lifestyle of death" including non-use of seat belts occurs more among smokers than non-smokers. Cigarettes' toxic chemicals involve poison that causes brain "injury" that "takes away the power of resistance." Cigarettes' toxic chemicals lead to abulia, a "state of dethronement of reason from its governing power," People v Carmichael, 5 Mich 10, 21, 71 Am Dec 769 (1858).

Example medical journal citations include but are not limited to the following: Johnston, Smoking Cure, 263 Lancet 480-482 (6 Sep 1952); Brown, Tobacco Addiction, 50 Tex St J Med 35-36 (Jan 1954); Am Psychiatric Ass'n (APA), Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (1980) pp 159-160, 176-178, and (1987) pp 150-151, 181-182; Caprin v Harris, 511 F Supp 589, 590 n 3 (D ND NY, 1981); Comment, Tobacco Addiction, 81 Michigan Law Review 237-258 (Nov 1982); and A. Ott, et al., Smoking, Dementia, and Alzheimer's Disease, 351 Lancet 1840-1843 (20 June 1998). See also Ronald M. Davis, M.D., (a Michigan health authority during Gov. John Engler's first term), "The Language of Nicotine Addiction: Purging the Word "Habit" From Our Lexicon," 1 Tobacco Control 163-164 (1992), refuting the malicious lie that smoking is merely a habit.

Smokers' abulia results in fire-setting and rule-defying rebelliousness, Haller v City of Lansing, 195 Mich 753; 162 NW 335 (1917); Tanton v McKenney, 226 Mich 245; 197 NW 510 (1924); Jacobs v St Mental Health Dep't, 88 Mich App 503; 276 NW2d 627 (1979); and Stevens v Inland Waters, Inc, 220 Mich App 212; 559 NW2d 61 (1996).

Here's a classic example of rule-defying rebelliousness. Oakland County, Michigan, County Executive L. Brooks Patterson is a long-time smoker. August 10, 2012, typical of “rebellion” and “a considerable feeling of defiance for authority and the individuating thrill of setting aside some rule,” he was not wearing a seat belt. Instead, "Patterson's seat belt was buckled behind him, which police have told me is a tactic drivers [disproportionately smokers] often use to try [to] fool officers in following patrol cars." Another unbuckled driver "pulled in front of [him] at [an] intersection." CRASH!! "Patterson's vehicle . . . was reportedly traveling at 54 mph in a 45 mph zone. . . . Patterson suffered . . . serious injuries, including a head gash, two broken wrists, broken ribs and a broken hip," says Tom Greenwood, "Patterson may face citation" (Detroit News, 31 August 2012, p 2A).

Smokers also endanger their children by their smoking inside vehicles. See article, "Danger of Smoking in Cars Warrants Ban, Researchers Say" (31 October 2006). "Children riding in cars with adults who smoke are at serious risk of respiratory problems, according to New Zealand researchers who called for legislation banning smoking in cars."

In Michigan, by law, the Legislature in 1909 reacted to such data, and made cigarettes with deleterious ingredients illegal. Cigarettes are not to be here--no manufacture, no sale, no giveaway. Contraband is "any property which is unlawful to produce." Black's Law Dictionary, 6th ed (St. Paul: West Publishing Co, 1990), p 322. Cigarettes are contraband. There is no right to use contraband. Bringing cigarettes into Michigan is "smuggling."

"'Smuggling has well-understood meaning . . . signifying bringing . . . goods . . . importation . . . whereof is prohibited. Williamson v U.S., 310 F2d 192, 195 [CA 9, 1962]; 18 USC §§ 545-6.'" Black's Law Dict, supra, p 1389.

The eminent Thomas Alva Edison in 1914 identified one factor--acrolein--in the permanent and irreversible brain damage that cigarettes cause, impairing judgment, the key underlying medical factor in the "lifestyle of death."

In fact, in 1909, during the administration of three-term activist Governor Fred Warner, the Michigan legislature passed a law forbidding cigarettes. That 1909 law, MCL § 750.27, MSA § 28.216, bans
"any person within the state" from action that "manufactures, sells or gives to anyone, any cigarette containing any ingredient deleterious to health or foreign to tobacco . . . ."

Governor Engler [1991-2002] and his staff were paper supportive of the law and trying to halt cigarette smuggling, issuing five memoranda on the subject.

Exec Order 1992-3 Law Support Letter # 1 Anti-Cigarette Smuggling Finding Law Support Letter # 2 Gov. Engler's Overview

What this site is asking is your help in (a) getting the law undermining the "lifestyle of death" enforced, and (b) getting all other governments to pass the same law in their areas. This site deals with the subject in the context of seat belts. For a complete lists of subjects we cover, see our home page.

To fight this problem, here are four sample letters. "A" is to Governor Rick Snyder asking him to have the State Police enforce the law. "B" is to Attorney General William Schuette asking him to enforce the law. Each has the authority to help. As both the Governor and Attorney General are lawyers, the letters are written in "legalese." Sample letter "C" is to the State Police Director asking for enforcement. Sample letter "D" is different, and is for you to send where the government still ignores the cigarette role in the "lifestyle of death" including non-use of seat belts. It is to be sent to the President, Congress, other Governors, and state legislators.

* * * Sample Letter A * * *

Honorable Rick Snyder
Governor, State of Michigan
P. O. Box 30013
Lansing MI 48909-7513

Dear Governor Snyder:

This is a request that you assign the Michigan State Police to enforce the cigarette control law, MCL § 750.27, MSA § 28.216.
"A . . . survey . . . showed that smokers were significantly . . . less likely to wear seat belts . . . than were nonsmokers . . ." 282 British Medical Journal 896 (14 March 1981). "Truly it may be said that a man drives as he lives. If his personal life is marked by caution, tolerance, foresight, and consideration for others, then he will drive in the same manner. If his personal life is devoid of these desirable characteristics, then his driving will be characterized by [same]. W. A. Tillman, M.D., and G. E. Hobbs, M.D., "The Accident-Prone Automobile Driver: A Study of the Psychiatric and Social Background," 106 American Journal of Psychiatrity 321-331 (November 1949).
The cigarette control law, MCL § 750.27, MSA § 28.216, needs enforcement to aid in preventing this type of behavior pattern, non-use of seat belts.

The law, MCL § 750.27, MSA § 28.216, forbids "any person within the state" from action that "manufactures, sells or gives to anyone, any cigarette containing any ingredient deleterious to health or foreign to tobacco . . . ." Please assign the Michigan State Police to enforce it, and aid county sheriffs and local police departments to do likewise.

All cigarettes are deleterious, their label admits they are, and most if not all are adulterated with additives. MCL § 750.27, MSA § 28.216, puts personal responsibility on those with most knowledge of the contraband substance (manufacturers and sellers), not on unwary consumers, often children.

         State Police enforcement action is a normal action that they do in other state-wide law violation situations. There are precedents as well. Austin v State, 101 Tenn 563; 48 SW 305; 70 Am St Rep 703 (1898) aff'd 179 US 343 (1900); Shimp v N J Bell Tele Co, 145 N J Super 516; 368 A2d 408 (1976); Commonwealth v Hughes, 468 Pa 502; 364 A2d 306 (1976); and Smith v Western Elec Co, 643 SW2d 10, 13 (Mo App, 1982).

         As a matter of law and compassion, all persons suffering from this deleterious and adulterated product need enforcement to occur. Please assign the State Police to protect abulic smokers, children, and nonsmokers, by enforcing the cigarette control act, MCL § 750.27, MSA § 28.216. Please have them halt the rampant violations, and interdict deleterious and adulterated cigarettes.

Respectfully,

* * * Sample Letter B * * *

Honorable William Schuette
Attorney General, State of Michigan
P. O. Box 30213
Lansing MI 48909

Dear Attorney General Schuette:

This is a request that you take "cease and desist" action to stop violations of the crime prevention act, MCL § 750.27, MSA § 28.216.
"A . . . survey . . . showed that smokers were significantly . . . less likely to wear seat belts . . . than were nonsmokers . . ." 282 British Medical Journal 896 (14 March 1981). "Truly it may be said that a man drives as he lives. If his personal life is marked by caution, tolerance, foresight, and consideration for others, then he will drive in the same manner. If his personal life is devoid of these desirable characteristics, then his driving will be characterized by [same]. W. A. Tillman, M.D., and G. E. Hobbs, M.D., "The Accident-Prone Automobile Driver: A Study of the Psychiatric and Social Background," 106 American Journal of Psychiatrity 321-331 (November 1949).

          The cigarette control law, MCL § 750.27, MSA § 28.216, needs enforcement to aid in preventing this type of behavior pattern, non-use of seat belts.

         The cigarette control law, MCL § 750.27, MSA § 28.216, forbids "any person within the state" from action that "manufactures, sells or gives to anyone, any cigarette containing any ingredient deleterious to health or foreign to tobacco . . . ." "Cease and desist" action is an action you take in other state-wide law violation cases.

         All cigarettes are deleterious, their label admits they are, and most if not all are adulterated with additives. MCL § 750.27, MSA § 28.216, puts personal responsibility on those with most knowledge of the contraband substance (manufacturers and sellers), not on unwary consumers, often children.

         "Cease and desist" action is a normal action that you do in other state-wide law violation situations. There are precedents, for example, Austin v State, 101 Tenn 563; 48 SW 305; 70 Am St Rep 703 (1898) aff'd 179 US 343 (1900); Shimp v N J Bell Tele Co, 145 N J Super 516; 368 A2d 408 (1976); Commonwealth v Hughes, 468 Pa 502; 364 A2d 306 (1976); and Smith v Western Elec Co, 643 SW2d 10, 13 (Mo App, 1982).

         As a matter of law and compassion, all persons suffering from this deleterious and adulterated product need enforcement to occur. Please take "cease and desist" action to protect abulic smokers, children, and nonsmokers, by enforcing the cigarette control law, MCL § 750.27, MSA § 28.216. Please take "cease and desist" action to halt the rampant violations.

Respectfully,

* * * Sample Letter C * * *

Col. Kristie Etue, Director
Department of State Police
333 S. Grand Ave.
P.O. Box 30634
Lansing, MI 48909-0634

Dear Col. Etue:

This is a request that you assign officers to enforce the crime prevention act, MCL § 750.27, MSA § 28.216.
"A . . . survey . . . showed that smokers were significantly . . . less likely to wear seat belts . . . than were nonsmokers . . ." 282 British Medical Journal 896 (14 March 1981). "Truly it may be said that a man drives as he lives. If his personal life is marked by caution, tolerance, foresight, and consideration for others, then he will drive in the same manner. If his personal life is devoid of these desirable characteristics, then his driving will be characterized by [same]. W. A. Tillman, M.D., and G. E. Hobbs, M.D., "The Accident-Prone Automobile Driver: A Study of the Psychiatric and Social Background," 106 American Journal of Psychiatrity 321-331 (November 1949).

The cigarette control law, MCL § 750.27, MSA § 28.216, needs enforcement to aid in preventing this type of behavior pattern, non-use of seat belts.

         The crime prevention act, MCL § 750.27, MSA § 28.216, forbids "any person within the state" from action that "manufactures, sells or gives to anyone, any cigarette containing any ingredient deleterious to health or foreign to tobacco . . . ." Please work with prosecutors, assign officers to enforce the law, and aid county sheriffs and local police departments to do likewise.

         All cigarettes are deleterious, their label admits they are, and most if not all are adulterated with additives. MCL § 750.27, MSA § 28.216, puts personal responsibility on those with most knowledge of the contraband substance (manufacturers and sellers), not on unwary consumers, often children.

         State Police enforcement action is a normal action that officers do in other state-wide law violation situations. There are precedents as well. Austin v State, 101 Tenn 563; 48 SW 305; 70 Am St Rep 703 (1898) aff'd 179 US 343 (1900); Shimp v N J Bell Tele Co, 145 N J Super 516; 368 A2d 408 (1976); Commonwealth v Hughes, 468 Pa 502; 364 A2d 306 (1976); and Smith v Western Elec Co, 643 SW2d 10, 13 (Mo App, 1982).

         As a matter of law and compassion, all persons suffering from this deleterious and adulterated product need enforcement to occur. Please assign officers to protect abulic smokers, children, and nonsmokers, by enforcing the cigarette control law, MCL § 750.27, MSA § 28.216. Please have them halt the rampant violations, and interdict deleterious and adulterated cigarettes.

Respectfully,

* * * Sample Letter D * * *

President Barack ObamaU.S. Senator _______U.S. Representative __Governor ___ State Senator __State Representative __
1600 Pennsylvania AvenueSenate Office BuildingHouse Office BuildingState CapitolState CapitolState Capitol
Washington DC 20500Washington DC 20510Washington DC 20515City State ZipCity State ZipCity State Zip

This is a request that you take action to get a law passed that will serve as a cigarette control law. Michigan already has such a law. It is law number MCL § 750.27, MSA § 28.216. It deals with the cigarette link to non-use of seat belts.
"A . . . survey . . . showed that smokers were significantly . . . less likely to wear seat belts . . . than were nonsmokers . . ." 282 British Medical Journal 896 (14 March 1981). "Truly it may be said that a man drives as he lives. If his personal life is marked by caution, tolerance, foresight, and consideration for others, then he will drive in the same manner. If his personal life is devoid of these desirable characteristics, then his driving will be characterized by [same]. W. A. Tillman, M.D., and G. E. Hobbs, M.D., "The Accident-Prone Automobile Driver: A Study of the Psychiatric and Social Background," 106 American Journal of Psychiatrity 321-331 (November 1949).

The cigarette control law, MCL § 750.27, MSA § 28.216, needs enforcement to aid in preventing this type of behavior pattern, non-use of seat belts.

The Michigan cigarette control law, MCL § 750.27, MSA § 28.216, helps prevents the non-use of seat belts. Please get a copy of that law, which in essence forbids "any person within the state" from action that "manufactures, sells or gives to anyone, any cigarette containing any ingredient deleterious to health or foreign to tobacco . . . ."

All cigarettes are deleterious, their label admits they are, and most if not all are adulterated with additives. Michigan's well-written cigarette control law deals with the smoker factor in the non-use of seat belts, cigarette-caused abulia. Michigan's cigarette control law puts personal responsibility on those with most knowledge of the contraband substance (manufacturers and sellers who know it leads to crime), not on unwary consumers, often children.

         As a matter of compassion, all persons suffering from this deleterious and adulterated product need you to take action to get more use of seat belts, thus prevent injuries and save lives. Please take action to copy the Michigan crime cigarette control law, MCL § 750.27, MSA § 28.216, so all of us can benefit from its wise prevention-oriented approach.

Respectfully,

* * * * *

Please re-type, add recipient addresses where unlisted,
add your name and return address, sign, and mail the above letters.
The person you save may be yourself or your friend.
If you wish, you can use different wording.

An example of a famous person who died due to not wearing his seat belt is Gneral George Patton. He survived World War II, then was killed almost immediately thereafter. The crash was at very low speed. Belt-less Patton was bumped out of his seat, and in falling mere inches to the floor, his neck was twisted, thus broken. The result was his death years prematurely.

To return to the top of this page, click here.

This site is sponsored as a public service by
The Crime Prevention Group.  Please visit our homepage.

Copyright © 1999, 2010 Leroy J. Pletten