SUPPORT FROM THE SUNDAY EXPRESS By B7

Today the Sunday express have totally removed the chains, handcuffs and shackles on the draconian smoking ban.

For to long smokers and there tolerant supporters have scanned the daily newspapers for support and the truth looking for even the smallest article with a crumb of comfort.

No more one line apologetic statements, no more hiding behind Government propaganda statements the Sunday Express have gone for the jugular, be prepared for a seismic shift of gargantuan proportions.

The following appeared in today’s Sunday Express in support of Antony Worrall Thompson , no not tucked away near the obituaries or the free CD instruction this is a MAIN COMMENT, read, digest breathe a sigh of relief you are not alone.

SUNDAY EXPRESS MAIN COMMENT “TIME TO END THE SMOKING BAN”

Its Great news that Antony Worrall Thompson is making a stand for common sense on cigarettes. The government ban on smoking is forcing the closure of six pubs a day. Clubs and restaurants are also suffering while the number of smokers shows no decline and the health of the nation is unchanged.

Thompson’s campaign has backing from Mps from the three main parties and the group is fighting for reform when the law is reviewed next year.

They’re asking for rooms in pubs and clubs to be set aside for smokers. It is simple, sensible voluntary move that would improve our right to choose without damaging the health of others.

Read the main article here.

Full marks to the Sunday Express "go shopping tomorrow and support the Express". Jeremy Clarkson where are you?.

Things you don't often see

Following on from Botswana7's post yesterday, there seems to be a marked difference between football authorities and those entrusted with safeguarding cricket (and many other sports come to that).

Football treats people as children. Cricket (and other sports) assume their customers have a brain.

One might argue that football fans have brought some measures upon themselves. For example, at rugby and cricket, one can enjoy a beer alongside unsegregated fans and there will never be a problem. Those who watch football must be forbidden to drink within sight of the playing area due to past indiscretions.

It may be chicken and egg, but do the football authorities not realise that by allowing their customers more privileges, they might engender a modicum of self-determination and personal responsibility amongst those who choose to attend?

Smokers are prohibited from smoking, not only in the seats at football grounds, but also anywhere within the stadium. In most stadia, there is no option for going outside as re-admittance is not permitted.

The sign above is prevalent all around the concourse at The Oval. It announces that all cricket fans are welcome, and accepts that all have differing needs/wishes during their matchday experience. Smoking is not allowed in the seats, but the ground regulations booklet that accompanies all despatched tickets explains the reasoning in a calm and generous manner.

Smokers don't ask for the world on a stick, just a bit of respect. Cricket offers that in spades, football doesn't.

FOOTBALL IS BIG PHARMA THE REFEREE B7

A few weeks ago Chelsea fans were left scratching their heads after their team were robbed of a place in the Champions league final, by the Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo.

The old Shed enders were aggrieved, shouting, swearing but in the face of adversity failed to even spark up a Mayfair light or even a pre rolled old Holborn, the invisible referee was at work.

Referee Tom Ovrebo had denied them victory but who were the invisible referees who had red carded their smoking pleasure, a few clues to start from the football league.

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  Walsall FC stand is sponsored by NHS Txt 6446 are they going to let you smoke and upset their sponsors, like f*u* are they.


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  Oh and NHS Walsall sponsor Walsall shirts are they going to let you smoke and upset their sponsors, bo*lo*ks are they.


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  Preston North End has a stand two-thirds of the stand’s interior is for the use by Preston NHS PCT, are they going to let you smoke and upset the PCT my a*s* will they.

Before reading on lets remind ourselves the stands at the vast majority of Stadiums are not 50 % enclosed and therefore smoking is perfectly within the law, so there are other forces are at work.

• 
  Quite interestingly the Chairman of the football Leagues working party, Tim Davies of Leicester City seems to be lacking in mathematical skills.Out of a survey of 43,000 football league fans only 50% wanted a total outright ban , yet Tim Davies proudly announced that fans around the country were clearly in favour of going smoke free, since when was 50% a clear mandate for any policy.
  
• 
  And interestingly nearly 80% of smoking and non smoking fans in the survey were quite happy with some form of smoke free policy ie separate smoking and non smoking areas or a compromise.

You are probably following the plot, you pay your NI contributions, the government gives it to the NHS, they spend your money on football related projects, football clubs do not want to upset their NHS backers so a*se holes to you. No smoking they have delivered a yellow card.

You have waited patiently who is chief referee delivering the red card in the football league its none other than Nicotinell who are official Nicotine replacement Therapy of the football league.

It gives a whole new meaning to playing on your own patch so go support your local non league team.