Day 4 of COP7 in India and with the future of e-cigarettes hanging in the balance (allegedly) I am reminded, again, of a scene in The Italian Job.
Best known as 'Cliffhanger' it marks the climax of the film when Michael Caine's gang find their gold-laden bus rocking over a sheer Alpine drop.
I'll leave you to figure out the analogy with COP7 and ENDS (aka electronic nicotine delivery systems) but in the circumstances these famous words seem particularly appropriate:
"Hang on a minute lads, I've got a great idea ..."
The outrage meanwhile that has greeted reported attempts by some COP7 delegations to ban e-cigarettes globally has been hysterical. Literally.
One person quoted an article that suggested that "Denial of choice to allow smokers to escape [sic] from smoking is an act of violence."
Another likened it to "mass murder".
Calm down everyone. Whatever happens at COP7 e-cigarettes will NOT be banned in the UK.
So if you want my advice ...