tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585028625507474093.post5621473442389362597..comments2023-10-17T15:56:22.827+01:00Comments on Velvet Glove, Iron Fist: Nicotine CleggChristopher Snowdonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15963753745009712865noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585028625507474093.post-87814462245066451652010-10-26T23:29:02.910+01:002010-10-26T23:29:02.910+01:00"The elite view is that smoking is finished, ..."The elite view is that smoking is finished, denormalised and is now the preserve of a tiny handful of addicts. This fantasy can just about be maintained by people working in the upper echelons of public health. Very few, if any, of their colleagues smoke and it is hard to imagine them consorting with smokers in their spare time. In their neverland of conferencing and seminars, their Walter Mitty fantasies are rarely challenged by the clunking fist of reality."<br /><br />The above paragraph reminded me of something. Besides being addicted to nicotine, red wine and good blogs, I am also addicted to 'auction' programmes like 'Flogit' and 'Bargain Hunt'.<br /><br />Presenters and experts on these programmes also seem to live in this fantasy world. Whenever they are presented with an old tobacco tin or cigarette case, without exception someone will say, "people don't like this sort of thing anymore". Without exception however, they always sell way above the estimate, and the valuers are open mouthed.<br /><br />The best comment from a valuer though, on live television, recently was, "people don't smoke anymore".timbonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06985165416240833253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585028625507474093.post-2345388437343419662010-10-26T22:06:32.359+01:002010-10-26T22:06:32.359+01:00I had to laugh at Clegg going on national TV and m...I had to laugh at Clegg going on national TV and making statements to the press about how he hoped his kids wouldn't find out that he smokes.<br /><br />Good thing he wasn't around when the date of D-Day was being kept secret...<br /><br /> :><br />MichaelMichael J. McFaddenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12181949578184965482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585028625507474093.post-77615547522594182762010-10-26T13:31:52.289+01:002010-10-26T13:31:52.289+01:00"Nicoteen" Clegg. Genius. Not forgetting..."Nicoteen" Clegg. Genius. Not forgetting his good mate, David Camel-on. Or Piperack Obama.Mark Wadsworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07733511175178098449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585028625507474093.post-66243144274836004382010-10-26T12:57:56.373+01:002010-10-26T12:57:56.373+01:00Welcome back. And good point about politicians bel...Welcome back. And good point about politicians believing they can just 'wish' away a popular activity. They're really not the brightest, are they?<br /><br />If they were able to think laterally, they'd notice that the best way to discourage any behaviour is by engaging citizens, not by bullying, shaming, and marginalising them.Dick Puddlecotehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01481866882188932892noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585028625507474093.post-90293579613466294742010-10-26T12:14:22.750+01:002010-10-26T12:14:22.750+01:00Smoking room?
I have to say I was amazed at Newsn...<b>Smoking room?</b><br /><br />I have to say I was amazed at Newsnights reporter David Grossman's comment <i>"It's not for nothing that the Common's have a smoking room"</i> when doing the item on Nick Clegg smoking.JJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05239651363530826401noreply@blogger.com