I have always said that I smoke in self-defence, therefore my most trying moments have been when I am around other smokers. My addiction level is such that if smoking is not permitted somewhere then I am not overly anxious or tense. The onset of the smoking ban is only going to make giving up easier as I won't find myself in problematic situations. If in any case I do succumb to a cigarette then I always have the piCO+™ handy to shock myself back onto the straight and narrow.
The 1st of July smoking ban has got me thinking about the way we used to smoke. The legislation may mean a complete ban in enclosed public places but gradually over the last 5-10 years our subconscious has been trained to find smoking unacceptable, which can only be a good thing.
Attitudes have changed considerably. For example do you remember being able to smoke on the top of buses, when every other advert promoted cigarettes, or the smoking carriages on trains and tubes? Even as a smoker living in Central London if the only seats available were at the top of the bus then I would wait for the next. It would be especially disgusting in the mornings – like climbing into an old ashtray.
The glamour factor has gone out of smoking – all the film stars and adverts would make it seem so sexy. The slogan "You're never alone with a Strand" immediately springs to mind.
Even Lady Penelope of Thunderbirds fame could be seen brandishing an elegant cigarette holder. There was enough uproar when the BBC failed to remove scenes from the 2001 re-runs but imagine if a puppet was shown smoking on a kids TV show today!
At one time smoking was the norm. I didn't know anyone who didn't smoke. But gradually those friends who were moderately addicted have given up, it is only those hardened smokers who still continue to puff away. We are definitely heading in the right direction.
Initially there does not appear to be much resistance from those consigned to outside but I will be interested to see what happens in October when the evenings are darker, colder and wetter…
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