Smoked Haggis

Notwithstanding determined and sterling attempts by the health fascists of the British State to curb the entertainment of a large section of the Scottish population, it seems the love for the good old cigarettes has triumphed - at least temporarily.  Remember that Scotland is the first part of the United Kingdom to feel the effects of political correctness in relation to personal habits.  England, Northern Ireland and Wales are due to come under its anti-nicotine jackboot within the next 12 - 15 months.  Scots have been venturing south to enjoy what the Daily Telegraph terms 'Fag Weekends'. 

Trains from Edinburgh to Newcastle are now crammed with smokers who want to be able to enjoy their habit without the Scottish Stasi spying on them at every conceivable opportunity.  Dundee City Council is about to add more to Labour's legion of layabouts and jobsworths by advertising for nicotine 'Enforcement Officers' who will be rewarded to the tune of £20,000 for making the public's life a misery.  To do a job like this is like being a traffic warden.  You have to be of a certain disposition.  Now, what's the term I am looking for.  Oh, I know........'scumbag!'

I wonder what people will do when the English landlords meekly bow to the autocracy of Tony Blair.  Should they check out the regulations as they appertain in the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man (fortunately spared the rod of NuLabour rule)?  Maybe the IoM Steam Packet will make a killing.

Comments

[Colm]

"I wonder what people will do when the English landlords meekly bow to the autocracy of Tony Blair."

Much as I want Tony Blair out, his rule is not an autocracy. He and his duly elected govt. have every right to introduce a smoking ban in public places.

[Andrew McCann]

Colm

Democracy: Majority rule, minority rights.

What would have been wrong in designated closed-off smoking areas? Nothing!

[Colm]

I agree with you Andrew, but the answer has to be to punish the govt. at the ballot box not to defy the law.

[Andrew McCann]

Colm

Hand on heart. Tell me you have never exceeded 70mph on the motorway.

[Colm]

Andrew

I can say that hand on heart - but it's not because I am a saint, it's because sadly I can't drive!

[jaun]

Scotland is one of the most unhealthy white countries in the world, the average scot is fat and physically inferior, as a man decended from the border fenians and the gallowglass, i find this dispiriting. Scots should be big, bold and beautiful, we have it in us to be physicaly impressive, the habits of decadence are destroying much of our proud culture, although i understand the right to personal liberty, i also understand the importance of the correct application of that right.
as a smoker i can honestly say i'm not against these laws, the trend of unhealthy living in scotland is generations old, maybe with these we can get some dignity back.

[Andrew McCann]

Colm

Living in London, as you do, I'd say you have every reason to be anything other than sad at your lack of driving.

[will]

when the English landlords meekly bow

Very true. They were keener to ensure a total ban, & avoid competition, than stand up for the wishes of their best customers.

More scumbags.

[Monica-Philadelphia]

Scots are unhealthy and fat???!! Tell me it's not true. Aren't you the hale and hearty guys who wear those skirts with no underwear and throw telephone poles around?

[Adrian]

Some famous guy said that the Irish gave the Scots the Bagpipes for a joke and the Scots haven't caught the joke yet.

[Monica-Philadelphia]

I love the bagpipes!