In typical Internet fashion the comments on the previous post have deviated significantly from the original subject – smokers' rights, direct action and civil disobedience.
Goebbels has made his customary appearance and even Al Quaeda (sorry, Phil) got a mention.
Meanwhile Pensioner Ellie commented: "I have always wondered why we receive no support from the tobacco companies, the pubcos and landlords and groups like CAMRA - surely it's in their interest to back us?"
PE's comments are always thoughtful and considered but this merited a response, and on a thread of its own. So here is it:
Ellie, it's incorrect to say the tobacco companies don't support the consumer. They do, via donations to Forest (for example) and initiatives such as Imperial Tobacco's Smoking Allowed project.
The money may not be as much as we would like but we appreciate their support. Do other industries (the food and drink industries, for example) support the consumer like this?
The biggest problem, however, is not money, it's consumer apathy and no media campaign is going to change that. Believe me, we've tried.
At some point, I hope, there will be moment when hundreds of thousands of people react and say 'Enough's enough'. For whatever reason, that point has not yet been reached.
Finally, as a member of Imperial Tobacco's Stakeholder Panel, I can confirm that the companies do listen to the consumer and they are aware of the frustrations that are expressed by some consumers on blogs such as this.
That said, the views expressed here and on other smoking-related websites are often very different to those expressed by consumer focus groups. I've sat in on a few and I have never heard the words Goebbels, Third Reich or Al Quaeda mentioned in relation to tobacco control.
I would add that a lot of work in support of the consumer takes place behind the scenes but – and Forest has made this point several times to the companies – more needs to be done to demonstrate public support for their beleaguered customers.
Update on Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at 15:29 by
Simon Clark
Imperial Tobacco has just opened an ‘Airside Smoking Balcony’ at Birmingham Airport (above).
It's the biggest airside smoking area in the UK and from this week it will include stools and a departure board.
"The next stage of the Smoking Allowed project," says UK Communications Manager Iain Watkins, "will see the completion of activity at Glasgow Airport, Manchester Airport, Newcastle Airport, Exeter Airport and an industry hub in Bristol."
No, I don't know what an "industry hub" is either, but I'll try and find out.