Smoking in parks – it's a riot

I was interviewed yesterday for BBC1's Look North (North East and Cumbria).

The item was about smoking in parks but when I arrived to record the interview at the BBC studios in Cambridge I was asked, "Are you here to talk about the riots?"

For a split second I was tempted to say "Yes" and do a completely different interview.

Instead I made the point, on camera, that in the middle of a financial crisis, with thousands of people rioting in the streets, it seemed absurd to be talking about smoking in parks. "Politicians and local councillors," I said, "need to get their priorities right."

Sadly that and other comments ("Are they going to ban obese people from parks too?") were edited out.

Click here to see the report. It starts about ten minutes in but is only available online until 6.00pm today.

PS. Eagle-eyed viewers who know me well may spot that I wasn't wearing glasses for the interview.

Moments before we began recording the producer asked me to take them off because they were causing a distracting reflection.

Now, without my glasses I can't see a thing – it's all a blur – so what you see is a man with hugely impaired vision sitting on a stool and squinting in the direction of a remote controlled camera several feet away.

Ah, yes, the glamour of television. You can't beat it.

Comments

[Fredrik Eich]

A sun poll on an amendment to allow smoking in pubs, 55% in favour.

[John]

It seems this letter has been provisionaly accepted for publication in the Sunday Times.

To: Sunday Times Letters
Subject: Smoking banned in Parks

Dear Sir,

I felt your article about banning smoking in parks was rather one sided. Although I do not endorse smoking in front of children I feel that a much more worthy campaign would be to fine drunks and anti-social behavior. It is all too easy these days to jump on the band wagon of persecuting innocent citizens that partake in a legal substance. I feel that the Times is much more worthy news paper than this sort of gutter press attitude.

Please I hope in future that you write articles that focus a little bit less on state manipulated persecution and a bit more on personal freedom of choice.

regards

John Mauger

[Spana]

I think this is all a precursor for Diane Abbott`s attempt to ban all smoking in the Olympic Park. Loads of publicity.

However, no doubt many of her constituents smoke, and better to be having a ciggie and Cola in Victoria Park than standing on the streets. Also there would be less 'streeters' if smoking is allowed in clubs.

We all know what happened in her constituency recently. She should be dealing with that, not trying to dream up more restrictions.