Aye - Here it is. I was out with Abram Morris all day yesterday and in the pub at night, I had my last cigar inside - I don't generaly smoke but I thought I would enter into the spirit of the thing:-) Before anyone thinks I have gone mad(der?) I have had the occasional smoke since giving up 15 years ago - About twice a year! Won't be out now till the open mic night in Monkseaton on Tuesday but I am looking forward to seeing (or rather smelling) the difference.

Whoever asked 'how come the pubs have suddenly decided that smoke rooms and adequate ventilation are a good idea' hit the nail on the head. It is the point I have been trying to make all along. In the 60's and 70's the pub trade decided it would be a 'good idea' (read 'more profitable') to make pubs open plan and get rid of all the small rooms. Apart from the odd one or two sensible chains, like Weatherspoons for instance, they would commit no money to ventilation and now they are whinging like idiots anout the restrictions. It wasn't just big business either - The small independants were almost as bad. I kept harping on about the licensed trade, not the governmant, being the main instigator of this legislation and until now no-one else seems to have picked up on it. So - Thanks:-)

Cheers

Dave