Here is an article I wrote outlining FIDE's new idea on drug testing at tournaments. While it is not as controversial as some of my work, I think it probably represents most of our views on the subject.


Chess, FIDE and Drug Testing: Necessary or Too Far? - Associated Content

*snicker* Are they serious about that? Cigarettes, I can understand for reasons other than performance issues, but coffee? What, did some players forfeit or pee their pants due to over-caffination and test anxiety or something?

[QUOTE=Sweeper;21546]Cigarettes, I can understand for reasons other than performance issues...QUOTE]

My uncle said cigarettes are good for you...they help you cough up all that brown crap in your lungs.

In the history of chess, consider coffee houses where chess was played.
Pipe, cigar and cigarette smoking. Alekhine was a heavy smoker and drinker as well. Both of which he gave up possibly for a short time in the second Euwe match.
Lasker notorious for his cigar smoking, and used it as a pysch prop. In one famous complaint by Nimzovitch against the prop.
Did the chess player in Russia with Love in the beginning of the film light a cigarette?

I can't think of any drugs that make my tactical knowledge and logical comprehention of the game any better. A baseball player may find that bigger muscles improve their ability to hit a ball hard, run faster, or just play better in general.
Caffiene, if anything, has a negative impact on your game by causing anxiety. I picked up chess in a local coffee shop. I enjoy a cigarette, especially during a game. I think bans on things like this are pointless, and don't make the tournaments any more fair to anyone.