Location, location, location
Sunday, February 27, 2011 at 14:12 Even on holiday I am never more than a phone call away from work.
On Thursday the Welsh Assembly announced Bold plans to slash number of Welsh smokers by a third. The quote I gave the Western Mail was composed at Harthill Services on the M8 between Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Earlier, I dictated a response to an enquiry from BBC Wales (Welsh Assembly Government's 'smoke-free society' aim) from a multi-storey car park off Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow.
Car parks and motorway service stations feature quite a lot in my 'career'. Some years ago, during another short break in Scotland, I had to stop at Kinross Services in Fife to respond to a breaking news story. Two hours later I was still there, taking one call after another, while my family sat and simmered in the car.
The most spectacular location for a holiday 'interruption' was Cat Bells overlooking Derwentwater in the Lake District. I was halfway up this famous fell when my phone rang and I was asked to provide a quote, quite literally, on the hoof. (At least it gave me the chance to sit down and take a breather.)
I've been interviewed while driving off ferries and sitting in airport lounges, but always fully clothed - unlike a former director of the Tobacco Manufacturers Association who told me that he once conducted an interview with the Scotsman whilst standing on the balcony of his Mediterranean villa stark naked.
Now there's a picture I shall take to my grave.
Reader Comments (3)
"Slashing" smokers in thirds?
Have they decided to ratchet up the state-sponsored hate and violence campaign a degree higher now?
Knowing this government and the likes of ASH, I wouldn't doubt this is just what they might be intending to do.
This is not a plan from the Welsh Assemly at all. It is a plan from Tobacco Control. God! Is it not horrible that these people can say what the Welsh assembly will decide IN ADVANCE? Is there not one member of the Assembly who will object? In fact, why do not ALL members of the Assembly obect to being directed? What is wrong with them? Why are so subserviant?
The general hum coming from anti tobacco I think falls into 2 areas. They have to justify themselves to their paymasters and are an obvious target to cut. I also think that with Ms MIlton and Lansley they think in some respects quite rightly they have a sympathetic ear. Business as usual from the days of ZanuLabour.
The only way that can nanny and bully is with more legal restrictions. The trouble is that outside bans are going to be particularly hard to enforce and same with cars. I sincerely believe that we have the non smoking public's full sympathy on these issues apart from the normal bed wetters. Sir Ian Gilmore Past President of the Royal College of Physicians has now switched his attack to alcohol and the smokers point that "you drinkers are next" does not ring hollow anymore.