My thoughts on the smoking ban so far.....

Have been in a few different pubs over the last couple of days - wake up in the morning and it is GREAT not to be stinking of fag smoke!! You can still smell 'pub' but that doesn't give you the dry boak. It's great to able to see right across the room but it just looks a bit strange just now.

If you are out with a smoker you get left on your own while they nip out for a fag, which actually takes much longer than normal as they then spark up conversations with the other smokers outside. On Thursday night I joined Russell outside Budda for a fag as didn't want to sit alone. It's amazing how many people outside are chatting away. We got talking to 3 different people within the space of about 10 minutes. Russell of course now thinks this is his new way to 'pull'. haha

The 3 people we did end up chatting with didn't have a light (and neither did Russell may I add). My suggestion to the bouncer "why don't you buy cheap lighters in bulk and sell them to the great mass of people asking for a light?". He did like this idea so if you are planning on going to Budda on Sauchiehall Street anytime soon - be prepared to pay if you forget your lighter!! Obviously some people aren't aware that they can still carry a lighter ... or does it come back to the new 'pulling' technique??

A few people I've spoken to about the ban have the same thought about people hanging about on the streets - There will be more fighting!! They can control it in a pub but not on the street.

Anyways, thats a few of my thoughts. The ban will be good for me being an ex-smoker as the temptation is no longer there.........

And a classic from 'Offside' on Monday (courtesy of Gary as I don't watch it) - "when you walk through all the smokers into the pub it's like emerging onto the stage on stars in your eyes"