Holy Smoke

Can you believe that smoking is still allowed in workplaces over here... even offices etc. It was only relatively recently banned in cinemas. A basic ban on smoking in restaurants is probably still years away... and yet the government is to consider using really graphic pictures on cigarette packet labels, of children in respiratory distress from passive smoking and adults with horrible smoking related medical conditions. The National Health Service literature I was given when I became pregnant advised me to stop smoking immediately and avoid smoky environments... that would be a bit hard if I worked in the average office! It also makes going out to dinner either impossible, or vaguely guilt inducing. This is a real whinge, but why is the right to smoke more important than the right to comfort and health for non-smokers? In terms of promoting healthy lifestyles and safety, the UK seems to be way behind Australia... only in the last year can you be fined for talking on a mobile while driving (despite this having been proven to cause accidents), there are no bike helmet laws, even for children (and you often see helmet-less parents cycling with kids with either no helmets, or helmets not secured)... I could go on and on about this! But I won't!!!!!