Wednesday, October 26, 2005

No smoking (ban)

Tomorrow legislation will be introduced into the UK parliament to ban smoking - sort of.

First the Labour party wanted to ban smoking in some areas, then all public areas, then all areas but special little smoker zoos. After much wrangling and frayed tempers, they've decided to ban smoking in all areas - except pubs that don't serve food or in private clubs (of which there are many).

Very few bars and restaurants in the UK have proper smoking sections. Mostly it's just a smoky free-for-all, which you might think suits me, since I smoke. But I don't really like smoking indoors around non-smokers, it dimishes my pleasure when they make those ridiculous faces. I'd much rather be in a segregated area with the other hackers and coughers.

I reckon my local pub will decide that they don't want to serve food and it will go on as it always has. A bar much like the Long Branch in Knoxville - poorly maintained wood and surly patrons and smoke. Lots of smoke.

Read more about the proposed smoking ban in The Times.

1 comment:

Todd Duren said...

It's been years since I've been in the Long Branch, but I met a redhead there once that brightened the place up a bit. Have you ever been to Union Jack's on Northshore near Kingston? It's a good little bar with a Brit flag on the sign and decent beer.