As I'm sure you all know, The Scottish Executive introduced a blanket smoking ban in this country which came into force 26 March this year. As most of you also know I'm quite keen on a cigarette or two, especially whilst I'm enjoying a drink. While I object strongly to the smoking ban and the massive lack of public consultation that went on prior to it's introduction I accept that I am now a social leper and I must now be seperated from my friends to indulge in my perfectly legal habit whenever I am out socially.
Well this brings me to todays point. As any of you who have had the opportunity to visit Scotland on your travels will no doubt testify, whilst this is a beautiful country we also have to endure some lousy weather.
In preperation for the smoking ban a large number of bars hastily tried to utilise any available outdoor space to provide often makeshift shelters for filthy smokers such as myself. For the past couple of months these areas have been the exclusive domain of me and my kind that is until the last ten days. For the last week or so Glasgow has enjoyed some fine weather with the mercury touching 80 degrees. Over this period I have been fortunate enough to enjoy a few social events. These events are the cause of my distress.
When the Scottish Executive launched the ban we were informed that their research revealed that over 70% of the population were in favour of the smoking ban. As I haven't seen their reports I am unable to dispute this figure so I am prepared to take it at face value. If these figures are correct and smokers are that unloved by the majority of the population then why the fuck do non-smokers now insist on sitting in the beer gardens surrounded by filthy smokers whilst the bars they campaigned so fiercely to make non-smoking are empty? And much more infuriatingly why the fuck do they insist on complaining when I light a cigarette? I'm not a violent man but these people are really trying my patience.
I think it's time for a deal. I'll continue to honour the smoking ban and only smoke outdoors if non-smokers agree to remain inside the bars. That seems fair to me. OR if non-smokers insist in taking up valuable smoking space in beer gardens then they should have to continue drinking there when the weather takes a turn for the worse. And by that I mean gales, rain, hail and snow. Sorry guys it's only fair.
Now where did I put my lighter? Nurse the screens...
p.s. Interesting fact about the photograph at the top of this piece. Only two of the people you can see in the photo are smoking, me and my friend M.
1 comment:
Whoa there Jock in a Frock!!!!
Me thinks thou complains just a wee bit to much!
If you had any decency at all you would have spared the non smokers around you the foul smell of that evil weed and climbed the trees outside the pub, thus allowing the wind at the higher altitude to disperse the offening particles.
By the look of the picture it seems obvious to me that someone inside dropped a "Silent but Deadly" and they all rushed out for fresh air.
Hmm better shut up or the Blairs will ban farting inside as well.........
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