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| For old time's sake: 'Reformed smoker' Johnny CigarettesWriter Johnny Sharp was such an avid smoker in his youth, he earned the name Johnny Cigarettes. With the ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces in England three days away, who better to lament the passing of a much-stigmatised tradition? | For old time's sake: 'Reformed smoker' Johnny CigarettesWriter Johnny Sharp was such an avid smoker in his youth, he earned the name Johnny Cigarettes. With the ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces in England three days away, who better to lament the passing of a much-stigmatised tradition? |
| The fateful day is almost upon us, when smoking cigarettes in public places will be banned. As a reformed smoker you'd think I'd celebrating with a deep breath of cool, clean air and a pint down my local - I won't. | The fateful day is almost upon us, when smoking cigarettes in public places will be banned. As a reformed smoker you'd think I'd celebrating with a deep breath of cool, clean air and a pint down my local - I won't. |
| Instead I'II be mourning their loss and everything else that goes out the door with them - like my many smoking friends in whatever meeting place we have gathered in, to spend a good portion of their evening outdoors. | Instead I'II be mourning their loss and everything else that goes out the door with them - like my many smoking friends in whatever meeting place we have gathered in, to spend a good portion of their evening outdoors. |
| Because, believe me, what we're going to lose with the introduction of this social apartheid is more than just the wafts of smoke from people's cigarettes and pipes - much more. | Because, believe me, what we're going to lose with the introduction of this social apartheid is more than just the wafts of smoke from people's cigarettes and pipes - much more. |
| The 'in crowd'?On the face of it, the ban is no personal inconvenience to me, as I gave up smoking overnight in 1998. But two of my best friends smoke upwards of 40 a day and when out of an evening, are virtual chain smokers. I suspect my quality time with them is about to be seriously curtailed. | The 'in crowd'?On the face of it, the ban is no personal inconvenience to me, as I gave up smoking overnight in 1998. But two of my best friends smoke upwards of 40 a day and when out of an evening, are virtual chain smokers. I suspect my quality time with them is about to be seriously curtailed. |
| But even if this wasn't the case I'd prefer to sit - or more likely stand now - with smokers. I simply prefer people who are prepared to admit to their own weaknesses and who know life's too short to deprive yourself of simple pleasures. | But even if this wasn't the case I'd prefer to sit - or more likely stand now - with smokers. I simply prefer people who are prepared to admit to their own weaknesses and who know life's too short to deprive yourself of simple pleasures. |
| I swear you also find a much better class of conversation. I've met numerous teetotal, non-smoking health freaks and I can't remember an interesting word that ever came from their impeccably pure, PH-balanced mouths. | I swear you also find a much better class of conversation. I've met numerous teetotal, non-smoking health freaks and I can't remember an interesting word that ever came from their impeccably pure, PH-balanced mouths. |
| 'Chill out' | 'Chill out' |
| Smoking has also done a great deal of good for the community, but never gets any thanks for it. It has acted as a social glue for many years and that shouldn't be disregarded. | Smoking has also done a great deal of good for the community, but never gets any thanks for it. It has acted as a social glue for many years and that shouldn't be disregarded. |
| How many relationships have blossomed and children been born as a result of conversations which started with someone asking for a light. Countless people have used it a conversational opener and then lingered, along with the plumes of smoke, for a chat. | How many relationships have blossomed and children been born as a result of conversations which started with someone asking for a light. Countless people have used it a conversational opener and then lingered, along with the plumes of smoke, for a chat. |
| COUNTDOWN TO LIGHTS OUT On 1 July, smoking in enclosed public places will be banned across the UKNorthern Ireland, Scotland and Wales already have such a ban; England's ban starts 1 JulyThe Magazine will count down the weeks with a series of articles about the impact of the ban on life in Britain Countdown to the ban | COUNTDOWN TO LIGHTS OUT On 1 July, smoking in enclosed public places will be banned across the UKNorthern Ireland, Scotland and Wales already have such a ban; England's ban starts 1 JulyThe Magazine will count down the weeks with a series of articles about the impact of the ban on life in Britain Countdown to the ban |
| What will we use now? Asking a woman for a light then expecting them to come outside along with their lighter makes you seem strangely stalkerish - one step away from asking them what colour underwear they've got on. But maybe I'm just dreadfully old-fashioned. | What will we use now? Asking a woman for a light then expecting them to come outside along with their lighter makes you seem strangely stalkerish - one step away from asking them what colour underwear they've got on. But maybe I'm just dreadfully old-fashioned. |
| And has anyone thought about the impact this will have on the Great British boozer? Already the smoky sanctuary the public house once represented has been sanitised, rebranded, over-lit and renamed the Fridge Magnet & Firkin or Corky O'Reillys. | And has anyone thought about the impact this will have on the Great British boozer? Already the smoky sanctuary the public house once represented has been sanitised, rebranded, over-lit and renamed the Fridge Magnet & Firkin or Corky O'Reillys. |
| They are a corporate imitation of the honest, unpretentious "character" that pubs once effortlessly exuded. Now the pub will be the home of a draconian social apartheid, where people who once toasted each other's health at the bar are no longer allowed to share the same room, supposedly for their own good. | They are a corporate imitation of the honest, unpretentious "character" that pubs once effortlessly exuded. Now the pub will be the home of a draconian social apartheid, where people who once toasted each other's health at the bar are no longer allowed to share the same room, supposedly for their own good. |
| 'Persecuted minority' | 'Persecuted minority' |
| Even when socialising hasn't been part of the equation, I have often gravitated towards smokers. I've often chosen to sit in the smoking area in trains. There are always more seats and it sometimes resembles a mobile chill-out room. There's a palpable sense of relief and relaxation oozing from each mouth as the smoke billows out. | Even when socialising hasn't been part of the equation, I have often gravitated towards smokers. I've often chosen to sit in the smoking area in trains. There are always more seats and it sometimes resembles a mobile chill-out room. There's a palpable sense of relief and relaxation oozing from each mouth as the smoke billows out. |
| It's part of the 'artistic personae'Besides, I admire the dogged perseverance of hardcore smokers in the face of overwhelming practical obstacles and increasing public opprobrium. | It's part of the 'artistic personae'Besides, I admire the dogged perseverance of hardcore smokers in the face of overwhelming practical obstacles and increasing public opprobrium. |
| Before Jeremy Clarkson whines on about motorists being the most persecuted minority in Britain, he ought to consider the lot of the heavy smoker. | Before Jeremy Clarkson whines on about motorists being the most persecuted minority in Britain, he ought to consider the lot of the heavy smoker. |
| They pay their debt to society on a daily basis, in the form of ever-escalating duties on tobacco and I think they deserve our sympathy. | They pay their debt to society on a daily basis, in the form of ever-escalating duties on tobacco and I think they deserve our sympathy. |
| I also strongly suspect it's going to be one law for the Johnny Cigarettes of this world and another law for the Johnny Depps. Is anyone going to stop a singer lighting up on stage, or an actor lighting up on screen? I sincerely hope they don't - it's an integral part of the artistic personae these people create. | I also strongly suspect it's going to be one law for the Johnny Cigarettes of this world and another law for the Johnny Depps. Is anyone going to stop a singer lighting up on stage, or an actor lighting up on screen? I sincerely hope they don't - it's an integral part of the artistic personae these people create. |
| 'Sanctimonious busybodies' | 'Sanctimonious busybodies' |
| And when it comes down to the anti-smoking lobby, I just don't trust them. I understand the government has a duty to warn people about the dangers, but as for those sanctimonious busybodies who have made it their self-appointed duty to stop others enjoying themselves... | And when it comes down to the anti-smoking lobby, I just don't trust them. I understand the government has a duty to warn people about the dangers, but as for those sanctimonious busybodies who have made it their self-appointed duty to stop others enjoying themselves... |
| But ultimately, I don't think it will work. Like every other anti-smoking measure ever conceived, it will only enhance the image of smoking as the preserve of cool, rebellious outsiders. | But ultimately, I don't think it will work. Like every other anti-smoking measure ever conceived, it will only enhance the image of smoking as the preserve of cool, rebellious outsiders. |
| It may come as a shock to some of you but I wasn't born Johnny Cigarettes, it's a nickname I got at school. As the tallest in the class at 14, I'd be sent to the local corner shop to buy fags for everyone. | It may come as a shock to some of you but I wasn't born Johnny Cigarettes, it's a nickname I got at school. As the tallest in the class at 14, I'd be sent to the local corner shop to buy fags for everyone. |
| Cigarettes have acted as a 'social glue'It's a moniker I kept when I became a music journalist with the NME, not because I thought it was cool, I just thought it was amusingly daft. But I can't deny that just adding that magic word got my name noticed a lot quicker than my real name, Sharp, could ever have done. | |
| It would still be the same if I tried to start out as a writer next year, with the smoking ban fully in swing. Cigarettes have played a vital supporting role in making actors and rock stars cool - and they always will. | It would still be the same if I tried to start out as a writer next year, with the smoking ban fully in swing. Cigarettes have played a vital supporting role in making actors and rock stars cool - and they always will. |
| Yes, they are bad for your health - and everyone else - but there is no match when it comes to trying to create a cool image. The only difference is people will be doing it outside now. And, rest assured, I'll be right beside them. | Yes, they are bad for your health - and everyone else - but there is no match when it comes to trying to create a cool image. The only difference is people will be doing it outside now. And, rest assured, I'll be right beside them. |
Add your comments on this story, using the form below. | Add your comments on this story, using the form below. |