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As anonymous so eloquently put it, my blog has been lacking somewhat this last week. Things are ever so slightly busy (actually, things are more ‘ay-Dios-mio-if-things-don’t-slow-down-soon-my-head-is-going-to-explode’ manic) at the moment. So, to all of y’all, apologies for the inherent lack of posts.

It seems that, with all the furore surrounding England’s ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces, Stoke-on-Trent has been forgotten. Councilors simply ‘forgot’ to apply for enforcement powers. This means that the inhabitants of ‘Smoke-on-Trent’ are able to light up in pubs, bars and even bus shelters without fear of an on the spot £50 penalty. This, I find absolutely hilarious! Especially, seeing as councilors will not be able to approve it until a meeting on August 2. This ban on smoking has caused all sorts of debate. Firstly, there are the non-smokers who yell with glee from the rooftops, because they will finally be able to enjoy a drink or a meal without breathing in all those nasty, dirty carcinogens. Darn you, you pesky smokers! These creatures are followed by the Health officials who say that all of these smoking-related diseases are miraculously going to disappear. Then along trundles the band of smokers, who feel it is a Human Rights infringement, (well, why should smokers not jump on the band-wagon? Everyone else has).

Sneaking behind the band of not-so-merry men is our wonderful Government, shoulders hunched, eyes to the floor. Of course, it makes sense - if you smoke, you will eventually damage your lungs. That’s simple logic. In fact, pretty much all countries have come to this conclusion. However, other countries have made provisions for the vast number of people who are not allowed to smoke inside any more. In fact, most other countries have designated smoking and non-smoking rooms. Surely it makes sense that, if you don’t want to breathe in smoke, you don’t go in to the smoking room? Australia seems to have gotten this right, as has most of Europe. Instead, smokers are pushed on to the streets. At the moment this isn’t too bad but, come winter, the matter will be totally different. At the same time as making people smoke outside, our Government has also decided to ‘get tough’ on litter. Great! I hate litter on the streets as much as anyone. When I see people throw crisp packets on the floor, they do find themselves on the wrong end of my death-stares. There really is no excuse for it when there are bins every 20 metres or so in London. Yet, with all these bins, there is not one that is suitable for cigarette ends. Dude. You make people smoke outside, you make damn well sure you have ashtrays. Surely that is one of the simplest pieces of mathematics? Obviously not. Australia, South America and the rest of Europe has ashtrays on posts in the street, outside pubs/hotels, at bus stops, and guess what? There are no cigarette ends to be seen! Instead, here, you have nowhere but the street to put your dog-ends, and you will be fined £70 for littering. Seriously, this isn’t exactly rocket science. So, let’s just go over the main points here: in England, you have to smoke outside, but you are not supplied with anywhere to put your cigarette (which, by the way, burns at over one thousand degrees Celsius!). The bins are all made of plastic, and don’t even have the metal cigarette-catcher bit that you see on the bins outside service stations. When you stub out your cigarette, you will be fined £70 (In real money, that’s about US$150, AUS$210, or €105). Seriously, the whole ‘war on smoking’ is looking more and more like a money spinner. Especially when a councillor in Stoke-on-Trent states that they will be able to retrospectively fine those who flout the law. Retrospectively, sweetheart, it’s against the law so, no, I don’t think you will.