No rest for the wicked

Driving to London shortly to be interviewed by GMTV. They want to film in a pub near the GMTV studios on the South Bank. That's a 180-mile round trip for what will probably be a ten or 20-second soundbite.

Update on Sunday, January 31, 2010 by Simon Clark

21:45: I'm typing this from our office in Soho. I've decided to stay in London overnight. You'll find out why in the morning. But first, I need to buy a toothbrush and some toothpaste.

New tobacco control strategy to be unveiled

Oops. ITN seems to have broken an embargo on a government press release that was embargoed for 00:01 hours on Monday morning. Click HERE.

The DH's new tobacco control strategy will be unveiled officially on Monday. Forest has issued a response, also embargoed until Monday, and I shall abide by it - but it's annoying because I suspect that the story may have been leaked deliberately to ITN.

Watch this space.

Update on Sunday, January 31, 2010 by Simon Clark

The Sunday Telegraph has also gone early with the story HERE.

Holyrood: the net tightens on tobacco

Fun and games in the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday night when Labour MSP Dr Richard Simpson (a member of the BMA) proposed an amendment to the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services Bill that would have prohibited tobacco branding on lighters and other items.

Simpson's amendment was defeated, but only just. The vote was tied and as is tradition in the Scottish Parliament the Presiding Officer sided with the status quo. (Contrast this with what happened in Alderney recently - see HERE.)

Incredibly there was also an attempt to ban the "No ID No Sale" posters that you see in many shops because - get this - they mention the word "tobacco" alongside "alcohol", "solvents" and "knives". It failed but how soon before the word "tobacco" is banned from public display?

Meanwhile the display ban passed by 103 votes to 14, with only the Conservatives voting against.

An attempt by Labour MSP Rhoda Grant - supported by the Conservatives - to allow radio-controlled vending machines was defeated.

The new law banning tobacco display and vending machines will be implemented in Scotland next year.

Flavour of the month

Yesterday, for the second time this week, I had lunch at Boisdale, Forest's spiritual home. This time my dining companion was the owner (and bon viveur) Ranald Macdonald, so I wasted no time in asking an important question:

"Do the whisky-flavoured condoms (available in the gents and ladies lavatories) really taste of whisky?"

"I wouldn't know," came the reply. "I've never tasted them. I only know one person who has. But I believe they are as authentic as any artificial, chemically-flavoured product."

Well, I think that's what he said. I don't really remember. What I do remember is the admission: "I don't think there are many repeat customers!"

McCondoms - available at Boisdale and online HERE.

Update on Friday, January 29, 2010 by Simon Clark

Jimmythejock writes: "Being a Scot I liked the idea of whisky flavoured condoms ... you can taste the flavour but the spermicide taste from the condom overpowers the flavoring after a minute or so."

Too much information?

Eye spy an MP

I'm not a fan of Twitter but this is quite funny. Eye Spy MP describes itself as "crowd sourced gossip" and invites us to report any sightings of MPs and what they are doing. It's only been going a few days and already it has over 2000 followers.

Invasion of privacy? Perhaps, but enjoy it while you can. Click HERE.

PS. Here's one entry I can confirm: "Edward Leigh & Julian Lewis at the National Liberal Club honouring Cold War Warrior George Miller" (January 26). Others are more, er, personal.

H/T Guido Fawkes

Freedom and technology

I'm in meetings most of the day so I'll leave you to talk about the new Apple iPad (I know you want to). Or, more generally, the role of technology in modern life. Does it help or does it hinder? Does it improve or does it reduce our quality of life? Or does it make no significant difference?

It's a common assumption (which I share) that the car changed and improved people's lives because it gave us the freedom to go more or less where we wanted with far less effort. Likewise, inventions such as the vacuum cleaner and the washing machine were seen as huge steps forward from the drudgery of household work.

More recently the personal computer has freed us from the typewriter and, via the Internet, has opened up a whole new world. Some would argue that communication technology was responsible for the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of communism, in which case millions - possibly billions - of people have reason to be grateful.

The iPad is simply the latest in a long line of innovative products. But has technology genuinely improved our lives? Or have we become slaves to things like computers, televisions and mobile phones?

Readers might like to suggest one product from the last 50 years that has given us greater freedom, and one that has "enslaved" us.

As Frasier Crane would say, "I'm listening".

AWT ditches the fags - for now

The London Evening Standard reports that Antony Worrall Thompson, "a long-time supporter of pro-smoking lobby Forest", has given up smoking. It adds, however, that "he still defends the rights of people to smoke". Full article HERE.

I know Antony has been a lot more health conscious since being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Nevertheless, in the years that he been patron of Forest I am pretty sure he has given up smoking ... oh, three or four times at least. (The last time he gave up he was training to run the London Marathon and I believe he's doing it again this year.)

I hope to catch up with him in a few weeks - a visit to his pub near Henley is pencilled in my diary - so I'll be able to ask how he's getting on without the fags.

Don't be surprised however if the answer is lost in a fug of smoke ...

National smoking day ... WTF?

I'm confused. On Sunday, courtesy of Peter Thurgood on another thread, I learned that National Cigar Smoking Day is today, January 27. Peter had received an email from TomTom cigar shop in Belgravia, just around the corner from Boisdale. It read:

27th January National Cigar Smoking Day! You are warmly invited to relax with our single original coffee and a 5% discounted cigar on that day. Our shop is open from 10am to 6pm - please come in when you feel like smoking.

Researching this post I discovered that the "The second annual National Cigar Smoking Day will take place on January 14th 2010. The main event will be a luxurious 3 course meal at one of the best restaurants in London, Boisdale".

January 14? January 27? What's going on?

Yesterday I popped into TomTom to see the owner Tom Assheton. Tom is an old friend of Forest who comes to some of our events. He explained that they had heard about National Cigar Smoking Day and so they issued their invitation on the back of it.

Unfortunately, there seems to have been some confusion. January 27 was the date of the first National Cigar Smoking Day - in 2009 - which was linked to National Smoking Day, World Smoking Day and European Smoking Day, which were all on the same date. (Essentially, they were variations of the same publicity stunt.)

Not that it matters. As things stand no-one's really interested - although I did do a ten-minute interview for City Talk, the Liverpool radio station, late last night which was prompted by TomTom's email.

The problem - and this is putting it mildly - is that there are too many people running around, doing their own thing. We're not communicating (even though we all know one another), which is crazy.

Last year, if I'm honest, I was sceptical about the idea of a National Smoking Day. I thought it might even be counter-productive. Now I'm beginning to think it's not such a bad idea, but if it's going to get off the ground in any meaningful sense there has to be proper coordination between interested parties, including commercial interests such as TomTom and Boisdale.

I know who is behind the original idea. He's a top bloke with a good track record so I'll have a chat and see what can be done. No promises (I'm still sceptical). But watch this space.

Meanwhile, if you like cigars and coffee (or coffee and no cigar), I strongly recommend that you visit TomTom today or any other day. Ask for Tom or Lidia and mention my name. (Note: the coffee shop is a very short stroll from the cigar shop.)

Above: Tom Assheton of TomTom with his assistant Lidia

George Miller-Kurakin - a celebration

Last night, at the National Liberal Club in London, a small group of us took part in "An Evening Dedicated to the Life of George Miller-Kurakin".

I wrote about George - and his funeral - HERE and HERE but it was good to have another opportunity to pay tribute to an old friend and recall some of the fun we had in the Eighties when we joined forces to fight - as best we could - the forces of communism at home and abroad.

(How absurd that sounds today but for several decades communists, and the Soviet Union in particular, were a genuine threat to our way of life. Without the likes of George Miller ... well, who knows?)

Julian Lewis, Conservative MP for New Forest East, captured the mood well when he spoke not only of George's achievements but also of his warmth, charm and immense good humour. When Julian mentioned George's "chuckle" there were nods of recognition throughout the room, and sitting here, writing this, I can hear it now.

George's brother Vladimir painted a vivid picture of his best qualities and I was astounded to learn that George couldn't speak a word of English when the family arrived in Britain. When I first met him I assumed that English was his first language. There was no trace of an accent. (Others may disagree.) It was only later that I realised that Russian was the language they all spoke at home.

Other friends spoke of his tireless work helping Russian dissidents inside and outside the USSR and there were lots of anecdotes - not all of them printable - involving trips to Jamaica, Chile and elsewhere. Politics, I was reminded, used to be fun. Even the dirty tricks!

Not everything George did came off (I can vouch for that) and sometimes his heart could rule his head, but Julian made the point that he never stopped trying. He was always ready to give something a go and if that didn't work he'd try something else.

Some of last night's guests I hadn't seen for a long, long time (25 years or more) so the occasion brought back a lot of memories and the realisation that, for all the time we spent together all those years ago, there was a lot about George I didn't know. In fact, for a man bursting with bonhomie, he was remarkably discreet.

Sadly, George was only 54 when he died but he made the very most of his life - and who, among us, can honestly say that?

Above: yours truly with George Miller at (I think) George's wedding in Frankfurt. (Why else would I be wearing a carnation?) What I do know is, it was a long time ago and a lot of vodka has passed under the bridge since then.

PS. Thanks to Russell Walters and Nigel Linacre for organising last night's bash. Julian suggested there should be an award - in George's name - for future freedom fighters so this event could run and run!

England: minority support for comprehensive smoking ban

According to The Times today, the latest British Social Attitudes survey shows that "support for the smoking ban has soared, particularly in Scotland where it was first introduced".

In Scotland, we are told, support for the ban has doubled from 25 per cent in 2004 to 53 per cent.

In England, however, and contrary to the tone of The Times report (because it doesn't mention it), support for the ban has remained static. In fact, less than half the population support the current comprehensive ban.

I have a copy of the BSA report in front of me. It reads:

In Britain as a whole, the majority support a smoking ban, with just seven per cent saying that smoking should be freely allowed. However, the level of restriction, whether a complete ban or simply restricted to certain areas, divides the public.

While just under half (46 per cent) support a ban on smoking in pubs and bars altogether, a similar proportion (41 per cent) prefer limiting smoking to certain areas of pubs and bars.

When we compare levels of support towards the ban in England and Scotland in 2007 we see attitudes were different on either side of the border. While attitudes in England were very similar to those in Britain, Scotland was much more supportive of a complete ban on smoking. There, nearly six in ten supported a complete ban in 2007, while a much smaller proportion (35 per cent) thought that smoking should be allowed in certain restricted areas.

So there we have it. According to the survey, only 46 per cent of people in Britain (2008) and 46 per cent of people in England (2007) support a comprehensive ban. This compares with 58 per cent of people in Scotland (2007).

Perhaps attitudes have changed since then. I don't know. But the idea that a large majority of people in Britain/England are enthusiastic supporters of a ban in every pub and bar is demonstrably false.

I will explore the difference between Scotland and England later. In the meantime you can read The Times story HERE.

Big Brother is watching you

If I ate cornflakes I would have choked on them yesterday. According to a front page headline in the Daily Telegraph, a report by the Sustainable Development Commission (whatever that is) wants ministers to introduce average speed cameras nationwide "to ensure that motorists stick to the 70mph limit". This, they claim, will cut carbon emissions by 1.4 million tons a year.

I don't give a toss if it cuts carbon emissions by 10 million tons a year. (Where do they get these figures from anyway?) The thought of having to drive at an average speed of 70mph on Britain's motorways is too painful to think about.

I have written about this before but it bears repeating that on some stretches of motorway - and at certain times of day - the speed limit should be increased to 80 or even 90mph. Instead of variable, sensible speed limits that take into account road conditions and the capability of the average modern car, we are stuck with a national speed limit that was introduced in the 1960s when the average family saloon could barely do more than 70mph anyway.

We have far too many speed cameras already. The majority should be restricted to accident black spots (remember them?). Average speed cameras are even worse. They have their uses (around roadworks, for example, and in congested periods where it reduces the concertina effect caused by vehicles braking at high speed), but all the time? I can't think of anything worse.

In fact, there's something about average speed cameras that remind me of Orwell's 1984. (I know this is an over-used analogy, but stick with me.) Unlike ordinary speed cameras (which are bad enough), you can't escape average speed cameras. Your every move is monitored. Every time you accelerate above the speed limit you then have to drop below it to compensate because you know your average speed is being calculated.

Big Brother is watching you. That's how it feels.

Just as the smoking ban has ruined the quality of some people's lives, the blanket introduction of average speed cameras would have a similar impact on mine. I'm not joking. I love driving and I love my current car and the thought of having to pootle along for mile after mile is my vision of hell.

Personally, I think it's dangerous. Like many cars today mine has cruise control and I have noticed that if I switch it on and "drive" at 70mph (a ridiculously slow speed on three or four-lane motorway with little traffic and good visibility) there is every chance, on a long journey, that I will get so bored travelling at the same speed that I will eventually fall asleep.

The fact is, like millions of other drivers, I don't abuse our roads or other drivers. I passed my test in 1977 when I was 18 and I have never had a single conviction or penalty point on my licence despite the fact that I have regularly exceeded the speed limit.

If the Sustainable Development Commission get their way that could all change because it will be almost impossible not to fall foul of those Big Brother style average speed cameras.

Yesterday afternoon, on Five Live's Drive programme, presenter Peter Allen laughed when he interviewed the man from the SDC. Clearly, he thought the guy was mad to suggest there was public support for such a move.

Unfortunately, with campaigners like this on the loose, it's no laughing matter.

Photo: clearlicence.co.uk

That Breakfast interview in full

Better late than never, you can see me on BBC Breakfast with Duncan Bannatyne (January 14, above) by clicking on this link HERE.

During the interview Bannatyne denied having written that a 12-year-old boy should be able to call the police if his mother lit up in a car while he was present. The transcript reads:

SIMON CLARK
Duncan mentioned there this example of a 12 year old boy whose mother smokes in the car. In an article Duncan wrote he actually said that boy should be able to go to the police. Now what type of society ...

DUNCAN BANNATYNE:
That’s not true Simon, that’s not true, that’s not true.

SIMON CLARK:
You wrote that in an article.

DUNCAN BANNATYNE:
No I didn’t. I was asked a question: how would you police that ...

BILL TURNBULL:
Right, it’s your view though isn’t it.

DUNCAN BANNATYNE:
Well children at the age of 12 should be allowed to live an existence that is smoke free and not have people blowing ...

BILL TURNBULL:
So should they ... do you really think children should be able to report their parents to the police if they do that?

DUNCAN BANNATYNE:
I believe, unlike Simon, I am for smokers, I believe that smokers are 90% good, law-abiding citizens and I believe they will obey the law, and they will see the law and they will stop, and you know if they don’t they will be seen by police officers and other people, the children won’t have to go to the police. You know, people said this about seat belts, you can’t introduce seat belts, how will you police it? You can police it, it’s not a problem, but most smokers will stop smoking with children in the back when it’s against the law.

FACT: writing in the Observer (October 11, 2009), Bannatyne declared unequivocally:

Smoking should be banned in cars, and particularly any vehicle with children in it. On a school visit I met a 12-year-boy who wanted to be an athlete who told me that every morning his mother lit up when she was driving to school, even though he'd begged her to stop. He should be able to report her to the police [my emphasis].

"Not true", eh, Duncan? I suggest you get your facts straight next time.

Full article HERE.

That was the week that was

This week's papers reported that New code on alcohol sales to include ban on drinking games (Guardian).

As ever, politicians seem to be over-reacting. I've been going into pubs for 35 years and I have never, ever seen the so-called Dentist's Chair. Does a yard of ale count as a drinking game? I suppose it does, although I've rarely seen anyone try it.

The only drinking "game" I've taken part in (that I can remember!) is the time-honoured tradition of "It's your round". I guess we should ban that too.

Stories that (almost) passed unnoticed include:

1. Macedonia bars close to protest smoking ban (AFP)
2. LA extends smoking ban to outdoor cafes (LA Times)
3. Kebab shops face late night alcohol ban (BBC News)
4. The return of ricketts: the nanny state has failed (Economic Voice)

Electric warriors

Well, that was weird, wasn't it? All I did was ask for some feedback about e-cigarettes and a whole herd of people appeared from nowhere. What I hadn't expected were the remarkably strong opinions and what amounted to a civil war between the users of different nicotine delivery systems!

(And what was all that ASH troll nonsense? If there's one thing I can't stand it's someone accusing another of being a "troll", whatever that is. People are entitled to their opinion.)

E-cigarettes may still be a cottage industry but it seems to be well-organised with some extremely committed consumers - unless they are all marketing people - who have developed some strong online communities on message boards and forums.

PS. Frank Davis (aka idlex) has a good take on the Taking Liberties "debate" HERE. And I have discovered that many of the people commenting came from THIS forum.

Manifesto for a nanny state

I am in meetings all day (again) today, so I'll leave you with a story that appeared earlier this week. According to reports, public health experts have called on politicians to introduce 12 policies that will allegedly help improve public health.

The so-called manifesto, published by the Faculty of Public Health and the Royal Society for Public Health, which together represent 9,000 public health specialists and health related professionals, calls for a ban on smoking in cars with children. a minimum price of 50p per unit of alcohol sold, no junk food advertising in pre-watershed television, 20 mph limit in built up areas, a dedicated school nurse for every secondary school, 25% increase in cycle lanes and cycle racks by 2015, compulsory and standardised front-of-pack labelling for all pre-packaged food, stop the use of transfats, stop the use of transfats etc etc.

Full story HERE.