DIARY: Ruminations, Occasional thoughts & happenings - as they arise
Tobacco Toleration - Open Letter to Press & Public
I am sick and tired of being the bad guy!
Lovely, worthy people look down their noses at me - because I smoke! I am
evil incarnate! Everybody else - other than smokers - are GOOD!
Because of their goodness, their rectitude, if I want to
enjoy the additional gastronomic delight of a cigar or cigarette
after a fine meal in a restaurant in the Republic of Ireland, or in Norway, and
now in Italy (where I hope to go, before I die, to Florence ) I cannot. I
must leave my seat and go outdoors - because of all the 'good' people.
A few months ago, in Edinburgh, I found the solution, in a
lovely old pub. About to light a cigarette in the restaurant I was told,
most courteously, that if I wanted to smoke the party should move to the
Bar.
Great! Without offending anyone we moved to this part of the
establishment and after haggis, neaps and taties I was able to tantalise my
taste buds in my usual fashion, with a hand-rolled cigarette (natural, uncontaminated
Virginia tobacco) designed to tickle the taste buds, along with a coffee and a
cognac. Gorgeous!
Not all places are as civilised - and in the three countries
named above I am banished to the street, or whatever outdoor area is available,
regardless of the weather.
It's got worse of course! I have
become so nervous about lighting up in private homes that I now habitually ask
permission, and never even think of smoking when infants are present, though
passive smoking dangers are highly exaggerated, where one or even two people
have an occasional cigarette. It's different of course in a smoke-filled
public house. Even I cannot stick this - am driven to make for the exit.
So, reacting to extremes of current public-health hysteria, I
came to the conclusion that I should outline my own rules, my attitude
towards people who smoke in my house. I do so almost in despair,
and certainly with a degree of anger against what I perceive as exaggerated and
inconsiderate legislation.
I hope that in my letter to the press, reproduced below, I
have maintained a consideration and a civility that I do not often find among
those who condemn smoking and smokers as if it and they are the source of all
evil.
Yes! I am pissed off - but still fairly civilised!