Smokers wanted
Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at 11:01 Tomorrow is No Smoking Day.
We occasionally receive requests from the media who want to speak to "ordinary" smokers who enjoy smoking, have no intention of giving up, and are prepared to say so.
Forest keeps a shortlist of people we put forward on such occasions. One of them is Jenty Burrill, a long-term supporter who invariably does a great job. Without ranting or raising her voice, Jenty comes across as sane, rational and utterly normal.
Presenters like her because she has a sense of humour and is honest about the potential health risks of smoking, and indeed her own health after many years of smoking. The last time she was interviewed - on BBC Radio Kent a couple of months ago - she charmed the presenter and it was a very entertaining few minutes.
If you would like to be considered please email contact@forestonline.org with the following details: name, gender, age, town/region, telephone number.
A colleague will contact you in due course.
PS. BBC Radio Five Live - together with Dame Helena Shovelton, chief executive of the British Lung Foundation, I have just been interviewed by Gabby Logan on the subject of smoking in cars with children. It will be online later, I guess.
Reader Comments (8)
Simon. I have just heard you on Radio Five regarding smoking in cars and you gave a very good performance. The debate is going going on, and anybody can comment.
Call 0500 909 693
Text 85058 cost info
Email logan@bbc.co.uk
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/b00z69w3/Gabby_Logan_08_03_2011
Debate starts about 7mins in.
Slightly off topic, but there is a programme every afternoon on BBC1 called the smokehouse, where children are trying with help from presenters to stop their parents smoking.
The programme comes complete with junk science.
Passive smoking highlighted again. Where would they be without this one thing? Nowhere.
Will the television reporters be donning gas-masks and body fitting tight rubber suits when they come around to do the interview?
Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday - no not National No Smoking Day but the day which commemorates the beginning of Christ's 40 days in the wilderness at the start of his ministry, during which he identified with the excluded and the despised: those condemned by the publicly virtuous scribes and Pharisees, of whom he said: 'they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne and lay them on men's shoulders' (Matthew 23.4). There are in the world people much more despised and discriminated against than smokers but, in all humility, I think Jesus, today, would be at the door of the pub with the smokers. Has the Church of England a view on this?
I'm going to mow the grass for the first time and then sit down with a nice cigar and a glass of wine to celebrate no smoking day.
Any online news about this interview yet Simon?