Michael Joseph McFadden

Like many others here, I never knew Michael personally, encountering him on Quora initially through a shared interest in matters related to smoking laws and public policy.

But, while such online acquaintanceships often remain confined to the specific subject, Michael and I ended up engaging intermittently on all sorts of topics far removed from anything to do with smoking.

We didn't always agree on everything, by any means, but I was always struck by his passion (and it was passion, in a positive way, not obsessiveness in a bitter one), and his great good humour. I would have liked to have known him in what we still call "real life".

I'm not the type of person you'd expect to interact with someone with a history of Peace Studies (I'm a proud combat veteran), but I really enjoyed his humorous posts online. I was just looking to see if he had posted anything else lately, when I came upon his family's announcement of his passing away (over 4 months ago). I'm truly sorry to hear of this.
May the Lord comfort his friends and family.
-J.M. Robinson

Was just going to reach out to Michael when I saw this. Although I never met him in person, I got to know him through discussions on smoking at speakeasy forum back in the day. He always had great insight and very thoughtful things to contribute, never angry and always with humor. What a great guy!

Wow - so sad to just be seeing this! What a loss! Michael and i were housemates in the 1980s, and corresponded right up to two days before he left us. I think i took the photo of him crouching on the newell post. I’m comforted by the sweet stories from his brother and family, and offer my sincere condolences. Michael was a treasure.

First of all, I wish to express my heartfelt condolences to all of Michael’s family and friends. It was only today, when I went to his Quora profile page, that I learned of his passing. I was both shocked and extremely saddened. I had been sending Michael emails, but had not received any reply from him for quite some time, which I found unusual. Since he never complained about his back pain and only mentioned his poor eyesight in a few emails to me, I simply took it for granted that he was either busy or feeling under the weather.

I joined Quora in October, 2017. Michael was one of the first people to follow me; and, after reading a few of his answers, I followed him. Ever since then, we would regularly upvote and/or comment on dozens of each other’s answers. As for Michael’s own answers, regardless of how interesting and enlightening they were, every one bore his “stamp,” for he always infused them with his peculiar and offbeat, but always entertaining, sense of humour. NO ONE wrote answers quite like Michael –– and I am quite sure that it would have been virtually impossible to emulate his highly unique style.

Without his help, I might never have gotten my novel, DREAMSTALKER, published. It was Michael who told me about Kevin, a friend of his, who owned a small press in Scotland. It goes without saying that Michael was among those who received free copies of my novel (autographed, of course). His review of my book on Amazon is the most detailed one by far.

I will end this with an anecdote that he told me; I hope that it will bring a smile to the faces of all those who were privileged enough to know him. I only wish that I had met him.

As those who were closest to Michael would know, he hated when people would throw food, garbage, etc. anywhere they pleased (which is also a pet peeve of mine). Here is the amusing little story that Michael shared with me. One day, he was on his bicycle, driving on the highway or road, and he saw some fellow throw out of his car window his food wrappers, remains of food, etc. So Michael stopped, picked all of it up, got back on his bike, and was able to reach the car of the litterbug. Either the window was already down or Michael must have indicated that he needed his help or had something important to tell the driver. In any case, when the window was rolled down, Michael said: “Hey, I think this belongs to you...” –– and, with that, he threw all of the trash into the guy’s lap and drove off!  

Rest in peace, Michael.

Another latecomer and deeply saddened to hear of Michael's death. He was a wonderful man and a great correspondent. I'm glad you were blessed to have him in your lives.

Sorry for being late to this. There might be some interest in the remembrance I wrote: https://substack.com/@carlvphillips/p-190726150

The Grasshopper Lives

This news saddens me. I did not have the pleasure of meeting Michael, but his messages on Quora were always upbeat and supportive.

I know that he is missed by his close friends and family.

The passing away of Michel McFadden is very sad news indeed.

I never met Michael, but we sustained long and fruitful email exchanges. I read all his books, the Dissected Brains of Anti-smokers, Tobakko Nacht and kept following him in Quora. He never denied the science behind the harms from smoking and the need to inform the public about it, but he contended this this effort should not be based on hatred of smokers and on bad science that manipulated data and evidence.

It is not easy to criticize the errors and faults of those conducting anti-smoking efforts with good intentions and aiming at the common good. However, Michael understood that even the best intentions in campaigns for the common good can cause unintended harms if they become too dogmatic and too much of moral crusades. Michael warned very early about this problem, which we witness up to this day in the opposition to THR.

He addressed an important issue that is often ignored or dismissed (even by supporters of THR): the institutional and popular hatred and aggression against smokers (distinct from hatred of “industry”) that was socially endorsed and encouraged in the US that spread to other countries. This usage of hatred as a social engineering anti-smoking tactic was openly recognized by official tobacco control under the “technically clean” term of “denormalization”.

Nobody disputes that smoking is harmful, not even smokers do, but Michael constantly argued that this does not justify or excuse deliberately spreading hatred on smokers. Anti-smoking efforts could have very well advanced without the abuse, as in the early stages in 1970s and 1980s when hundreds of millions of smokers quit when these efforts were focused on educating the public and spreading scientific information on the harms of smoking.

Michael McFadden was among the few who argued against using hate as an approach to smoking. He exposed the desire to stigmatize disguised as health protection in outdoor smoking bans and the fiction of “third hand smoke”. Unfortunately, mainstream tobacco control forcefully prevented (and keeps preventing) any discussion or dissent given the development of THR.

While excessively harsh measures against smokers were unethical and oppressive, at least there was before an utilitarian justification given the harms of smoking. But once a popular alternative emerged with vapes and millions of smokers are switching to THR products, there is no absolutely no justification for tobacco control to maintain the same moral crusading approach deployed against smoking. Michael was optimist and beleived (as many of us do) that pragmatism and science based rationality will in the end defeat hubris and moral absolutism.

Michael McFadden will be sorely missed.

Dr Roberto A Sussman

Nice that someone posted about Michael that he was a safe space where people could talk to each other and him.

I met Mike while working the door at the Legion (the Pit) then later at Walsh's and the Track and Turf (the Millcreek) Always riding his bike. Later we would always try and meet around the holidays for a few drinks. He was a great thinker; we always had very interesting conversations. Saddened to hear of his passing,

Met Michael virtually through the smokers' right group. Michael was intelligent, well versed and a gentleman. He used to call me his eskimo because I live in Canada LOL. Rest in peace Michael, I will always remember you for what you taught me and your good spirits. .

Had the great fortune to have Michael come to stay with me in Edinburgh, Scotland, for a week. We had such fun! What an awesome human being, there will never be anyone so intelligent, kind and above all, committed. I will treasure forever his signed copy of Dissecting Anti Smokers Brains.
May his memory live on through all he touched in his life. I, for one, will never forget his kind, energetic and fun spirit. See you on the other side Michael. X

A legend never ends. What terribly sad news. I met Michael once in Windsor UK on 13th May 2006 and it was a most educational, enjoyable and memorable event. I have corresponded and joined online discussions with Michael on many occasions having been a previously devoted, nearly obsessional advocate for smokers' rights and personal choice. Michael was an endless source of support and material in the fight, also providing generous aliquots of humour. As a medical doctor my smokers' rights position has been fairly unique and challenging, Michael was an irreplaceable friend. My thoughts are with his family and his many friends.

I am deeply saddened to hear of Michael's passing. I am glad he was surrounded with love and peace. He was a wonderful man; a human, being. He was intellectually brilliant and a tremendous researcher and author. Michael was always kind hearted and reminded me of a Pierre Trudeau quote "it is the role of the true revolutionary to patiently explain". He has been in my thoughts as I hadn't heard anything for a while, I lift him up and may peace always be his journey. I valued you and held you in highest regard as a friend and likeminded soul Michael.

You were a good human. You were a good friend. You were kind, loving, caring, and generous. You will be missed. Until we meet again, fly high. Say hi to Aldo for me.

My deepest condolences to the family, friends, and many colleagues of Michael. I was deeply saddened to hear the news of Michael's passing. I'm still in shock, to be honest. I thought he'd be around for a long time. I thoroughly enjoyed his books. They were insightful. Michael regularly wrote on the forum Quora. I always found his posts to be informative, as well as entertaining, as he had a sense of humour. The world lost a true advocate for adult rights. He spoke up quite a bit for adults who use nicotine and those who opted for safer forms of nicotine. The advocacy world will miss him greatly. Soar high to the heavens, Sir. ♥

A friend so intelligent and above all, the kindest person. He gave council and support, never asked for a "like". He believed in his cause, as I do. He inspired, he smiled.

I first met Mike at Manhattan College (University). We were both Peace Studies students and worked together on all kinds of initiatives. His kindness and concerns for others was matchedby a huge intellect. I miss you mate.

I'm very sorry to hear of this tremendous loss. Michael and I had quite a remarkable friendship, which amazingly began when I was a leader in the anti-smoking movement. In terms of policy, we probably had about 100% disagreement initially but Michael's arguments were always so well-reasoned that I really enjoyed our discussions and he always made me re-examine my positions. He also treated me with great respect always despite being on "opposite sides." As time went on and the anti-smoking movement turned into an "anti-smoker" movement, my opinions began to change and we ended up largely on the same side of the fence. Michael became a big supporter of mine, and vice versa. He was a frequent commenter on my tobacco blog and I always enjoyed his philosophically-oriented commentaries. I will always treasure our unique relationship. May his memory be a blessing to all. Michael Siegel, MD, MPH, Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine (formerly at Boston University School of Public Health)

It's been a while since I was in touch with Michael. Sad to hear of his passing. I have one of his books in a shelf I can see from here. "Dissection Antismokers Brains'. So now you know what lot I am from. He seemed like the eternal optimist to me. Wherever he goes in the afterlife, he's going to be liked. Peace be with him.

I met Michael through smokers' rights activism and was his guest in Philadelphia on two occasions in the 2010s. He was a gracious host and took us out on the town to bars that still allowed smoking in Philly, which was a treat for me since general smoking bans had long been the norm in bars basically everywhere on the East Coast. I always had a blast hanging out with him. I will really miss him. What a kind, unique, and incredible person. RIP.

Michael proofread my first book - The War on Smokers and the Rise of the Nanny State back in 2008. He was very helpful including his noticing that I had written "pubic policy" instead of "public policy." He saved me a lot of embarrassment...

Michael was a unique individual. I will miss him.

Theodore J. King

I never met Michael in person but I've known him for almost 30 years. We were both part of a close group of game enthusiasts who would play computer games and share our experiences, helping each other when we were stumped and laughing over funny parts. This was back before there were online games and resources. Over the years many of us played fewer games but all of us remained in touch via email. Michael always had a unique perspective on everything. He was truly one of a kind. You will be missed, Mikey.

Michael and I were high school friends at St. Augustine in Brooklyn. He was the school’s science expert. I had communicated with Michael to get him to our high school reunions. He couldn’t make it to our class’ 50 anniversary in early November 2019 so I had arranged to meet him shortly after at a Chinese restaurant near his home in Philly.
Afterwards, we went to a local club where he was a regular and had a few drinks and talked about many interesting things. Michael was very much an activist for human rights. He was an especially funny guy. Rest in peace Michael and my heartfelt condolences to his family.

Goodbye MJM, I shall miss you. You called me milady and that made me smile so much.
You taught me so much about so much, especially the use of propaganda through your books.
A truly good man.
Vix

Resistance was futile in his presence. If he wanted something a certain way, just give in, he's going to be missed. I met him through the smokers rights newsletter. Met him that week, and admired him since. He will be missed by many who don't realize the contribution he's given to humanity.

I only knew Michael as an online friend on a site he contributed frequently, but he was an incredibly intelligent and interesting person with a flair for writing and humor and I will miss him, I really will. My deepest sympathies to all his family and friends, if he had such an impact on me in England I can only imagine the loss you all are feeling, my thoughts are very much with you all during this difficult time. All my love Nyky xxx

Farewell, Michael.
You were a true original and I am glad to have read so much of your musings on the Quora website. The world is poorer today for your loss.

I met Michael (online only) through his writing on Quora, an online question-and-answer site. What impressed me was his passion, his compassion for others, his transparency, and his vulnerability as he entered his later years. I had just been thinking that I had not seen anything he posted recently, so I was sad to see that he had passed away at Christmas. Thank you for letting us know! 🎄 May he rest in peace.

I met Michael in Philadelphia; we had dinner in Chinatown and I stayed the night as his guest. I never saw such a collection of Hershey's Chocolate Syrup bottles the way some guys collect empty beer bottles, lining every shelf. I never could imagine how someone as skinny as a rail could live (and thrive?) on chocolate!

I had hoped to repeat my visit to Philadelphia this spring; I'll have dinner in Chinatown in his memory.

We have lost a great treasure. Deepest sympathy to his family.

TO THE LOVE ONE THST HAS GONE BUT NOT AND NEVER FORGOTTEN...OF THE GENTLE DOUL IF THIS HEARTS-SOUL WITH HUMOR AND FENTLENESS...COMPASSIONATE AND INSPIRING...THOUGH I DO NOT KNOW HIM PERSONALLY BUT AS THE DUTISHIP OF A PASTOR ..I SEND MY DINCEREST CONDOLCENCE TO THE FAMILY AND MAY HE REST IN GOD'S BLESSED GRACE'S GIFTED PEACES! 💚🙏💚

I met Michael through an online gaming group many many years ago. We stayed in touch all these years sometimes playing games but often just talking (through email), joking, and supporting each other. He will be sorely missed.

I had met Michael on-line during what we called the anti-smoking crusades back in the early '90's, but have had the pleasure of visiting him at his home in Philly. I thoroughly enjoyed how he took great pride in showing me his many "treasures" he was fond of accumulating and giving away as presents as you described in his eulogy. In fact, he bestowed upon me a signed copy of his first book. We spent hours trading stories with him telling me of his life there in his neighborhood. He loved biking around the city, exploring the local college scene and nightlife, and telling of humorous dealings he's had over the years with squatters moving in and out of adjacent vacant tenements. He was a wonderful man with unique insight and a great friend. I learned a lot from our conversations over the years. He will always be warmly remembered. RIP, my friend.

Michael, it's time for you to rest you will be missed.

Goodbye Michael. It was a pleasure & an honor to have known you & I'm only sorry I did not cherish our friendship more.

Good bye Michael you were a good man had some fun ATP see you soon my friend

I will never forget the first time my mother met Michael and his parents before Joe and I got married. We invited them over for dinner which went very well. After dinner was over, Michael very nicely used his hand to make a pile of crumbs from the table in front of him, He very carefully made the pile, then swept them right onto the floor! Such a Michael move! ;) Seriously though, Michael had such a huge heart. He would give you the shirt off his back! Maureen never would have had her horse if he hadn't loaned us the money and he was always there when we needed him. I wish he had said yes when we asked him to come live with us, but he loved Philly and I this was the only way he every would have left. Love you Mike!