Smoke free England?
Monday, December 3, 2007 
The photos of last week's Boisdale bash (which can be viewed HERE) were taken by Forest supporter Dan Donovan. Dan is a professional photographer. He's also a musician and graphic designer. Earlier in the year, Dan embarked on a project to highlight England's smoking culture prior to the introduction of the public smoking ban on July 1.
The results of his photographic journal are now available online. Many of the subjects are Forest supporters and/or readers of this blog. Explaining the nature of the project, Dan writes:
"The act of smoking has been increasingly demonised and these portraits take in individuals from all over England, from every walk of life, who were prepared to make a visual statement of their objection to being represented in this negative way. The people here are law-abiding citizens who would be committing a criminal offence if they posed for a photograph in the same location today."
Any one of the 90 images - which include Men Behaving Badly actor Neil Morrissey - can be purchased online. To view them all, click HERE.
Meanwhile we are discussing a sequel that will demonstrate how smokers are alive and well and defiantly lighting up in all manner of locations. If you would like to be considered as a subject for Smoke Free England? (One Year On), email Dan at dan@battenburg.biz.
Reader Comments (2)
Oh what bliss. Reading your page in the comfort of my own home whilst enjoying a cigarette. I have been informed in an email (from whoever answers emails to David Cameron) that I can STILL smoke in my own home - WOW thank you so much. The fact I can STILL smoke at home makes me wonder if they really wanted to add "but not for much longer if we can help it". I can't help wondering why the big boys are blaming a drop in beer sales on everything except the smoking ban. Any person with a brain knows the reason why pubs are empty, as I said 'any person with a brain'
In July 1407, I went to a public house to replenish myself with a hearty half of larger and some company to ease the weary 8 day week spent working in the fields of London.
Supplying my need was a poor fellow who told me "The taking of anything but tax off you is forbidden here" I asked "Why such is it that I toil and pay and to only have to return to the elements outside to satisfy what I have already payed" the response was swift and with with fear "I will have the wrath of power upon me and closed if I do not subject thee to the elements"
With that I payed my my £4.80 DNA fingerprint and photograph and went out to the elements. A surpise! there were fellow vagabonds lurking in the the dark, a mixture of doctors, engineers, builders, teachers, the general violators of humanity.
As I took in the pleasure of being somewhat outcast, I joined in with a conversation that only true criminals can do "I smoked a cigarette in my white horse and cart" said one man","I smoked in a waiting horse and cart stop for a long wait" said another, I was shocked that I was with such henious vilains.
I went to re-enter the adobe hostalry, "Shut that f***ing door its cold" was the greating by the entire one of them.
I appologised for this to the impecable supporter of this establishment and he promptly left with the comment"I come here once a month for half an hour, have some respect"
Oh how I wish to live in 2007, it must be such a wonderful utopia of freedom, I bet they have better horses and carts (and on time) and public houses must surely be free of anyone opening doors. Taxation a thing of the dark ages where I live today. If I could only live in 2007.