Simon Clark - Taking Liberties

I value public displays of support even if, privately, there may be the occasional disagreement.

Joe Jackson doesn't agree with everything Forest says or does. On some issues he is perhaps our fiercest critic.

He is however incredibly discreet. He makes his point privately, not on Facebook or some other public forum. To the best of my knowledge he has never disclosed to anyone a private exchange of views and I respect him enormously for that.

Better still, his comments are always constructive. And when we disagree (usually on strategy), he never sulks or threatens to withdraw his support.

I mention this because one of the issues that Joe and I disagree on is smoking rooms. Actually, I don't disagree with his view that smoking rooms are anathema in comparison with a genuine choice of smoking and non-smoking pubs and bars.

I simply take the view that, as things currently stand in the UK, the option of separate, well-ventilated smoking rooms is the only policy that is likely to attract the support of a substantial number of politicians.

Despite his reservations, Joe has signed AWT's petition. He has also posted a link on his new website. Like the old one the new site includes a section devoted to smoking with links to several smoker-friendly blogs and websites.

These include Dick Puddlecote ("Very readable ‘anti-Anti’ blogger") and Velvet Glove Iron Fist which Joe describes as "one of the best sources for the debunking of current antismoking myths". No disagreement there.

The site also features information about what Joe calls his "best live album yet". Live Music was recorded on his 2010 European tour and you can buy it here, via Amazon or on iTunes.

Recommended.