Smoking in Iraq

I read something in a NY Daily News story that I didn't understand. The article quoted Fred as attributing an Al Qaeda smoking ban as helping turn Iraqis to the U.S. I still haven't seen an actual quote of what he said, but it sounded somewhat out of context to me. Now Bill Hobbs over at Elephant Biz has a nice article explaining what Fred was talking about--and why it is correct! Of course a couple of details are important. The nature of the ban is

…the Muftis would order the severance of the two fingers used to hold a cigarette for any Iraqis caught smoking. Other reports, from here in Diyala and also in Anbar, allege that smokers are murdered by AQI.

OK, I think I understand why some would not like this policy.