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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 be 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'll 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 banCOUNTDOWN 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.
Smoking is 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.Smoking is 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 act as "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.Cigarettes act as "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.

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Totally agree re busybodies. I foresee yet another change coming in a few years, people who stick their kids out in pub beer gardens for hours at a time during school hols will soon object to loads of smokers around their offspring. The terrible day will dawn when all smokers will be standing in little painted circles in pub car parks. From there it will go even further to no lighting up in anywhere public.Danny, Whitehaven, Cumbria
I'm a recent quitter too and I am sick of being left to mind the jackets and the drinks. I would happily come outside too, but as my friend bluntly pointed out, they all had a reason for being outside so could I be less selfish and mind her stuff. For the first few weeks, the smoking ban is going to be a great conversation starter with strangers, huddled up for warmth in the glow of the streetlamp. It's a sure fire way of meeting people, just remember your lonely non-smoking friend who's helping herself to your drinks.Katie Spencer, Glasgow
I am fed up with this idea that smoking is somehow extraordinary or remarkable or of some totemic significance that non-smokers cannot understand. I am an ex-smoker and I know it to be this: a completely futile habit with no redeeming features. As for being social glue, how many of the children who were born of smokers have lost or will lose their parents too young because of heart disease or cancer? Jane, London, England
Spoken like a true gent. At last some common sense...Olly, Great Yarmouth
Don't ban smoking because it's cool, and people use "do you have a light?" as a chat up line? If you want to meet a smoker, ask them for a light in a designated smoking area.Alan, Middlesbrough, England
Interesting. First time I've ever heard of anyone with yellow-brown fingernails, smoke-stained clothes and breath like an ashtray described as having a "cool image".Coop, Leicester
I'm a non-smoker and Johnny's right - the conversation's bound to be fruitier amongst smokers, and I tend to gravitate towards them too. But what he gets wrong is that most non-smokers aren't health-freak Adonis-types at all - they're otherwise perfectly normal people who get runny irritated eyes and headaches from hyper-active sinuses when they immerse themselves in smoke. I guess the one thing I'm (deliriously) happy about when it comes to the ban is that I'll finally have an option I never had before - to have a smoke-free break without having to leave the boozer or head for the loos. Chris, London
Utter drivel... so we should keep the smoky pub because we've always had them? By that argument we'd still have capital punishment, lead paint, smog and asbestos. James, Brentwood, Essex
My opinion on smokers is that they generally tend to be more selfish people by their nature (a generalisation I realise) and so I may warm to them less, but I wouldn't say they were any more/less dull than non-smokers.Bernard, Reading
Smoking can add to the mystique of an individual, but if you are in a cool bar surrounded by cool people each demonstrating their cool credentials by sucking coolly on their cigarettes, then is it cool to follow suit? If smoking were the sole preserve of the cool, then would it in fact be cool? Let's not forget that for every person who looks cool with a cigarette, there are a dozen haggard looking people for whom image has long since become irrelevant. Dan, Tavi, UK
"And has anyone thought about the impact this will have on the Great British boozer?" Umm, last time I checked there were still pubs in Wales and Scotland after the ban came into force, plus we are all still managing to start conversations and have relationships that blossom without the smoke. If the ban in England means that I have to spend less time with whingers like the Johnny Cigarettes then bring it on.Elaine Lindsay, Bristol
The ban has been in place in Wales since April and it's wonderful to go out for a meal or a drink and not come back with a sore throat and reeking of other people's smoke.Aly, South Wales, UK
What a load of hypocritical tosh from a man who has undoubtedly reduced many people's pleasure in a night out by making their eyes and throats sting and leaving them stinking of his foul, stale cigarette smoke. And the converse? Are we preventing his friends from smoking? No, just making them do it in a place that won't affect others quite so much. His brain must still be damaged from all that carbon monoxide he inhaled over the years (another of the "side effects" that he conveniently ignores).Merlin, Cardiff, UK
Sympathy for smokers being persecuted? In these times, how many people start smoking without knowing what it's going to do to them and the people around them? If they do, how many continue? It's taught in school, the media mention it continually, it's written on the packets themselves... I cannot summon a shred of sympathy for anybody who's continuing to smoke and complaining about the restrictions being placed upon them. And as for smoking as a social facilitator - I expect we'll find something else. Non-smokers still seem to meet people, after all. We're still English, so we can always discuss the weather.Matt, Nottingham, UK
Many thanks for telling "our" side of the story, I couldn't agree more.John Barry (the late Nikki Sudden's bassist ), Berlin
Nice - but I have to say, smoking carriages in trains were awful. There were so many seats in them because most of the smokers thought it was an awful place to be.Jasper, London
I was particularly interested to read the bit about blossoming relationships and children born because of smoking. How many of those relationships were torn apart when one of them died of cancer or heart disease? How many of the children born were condemned to a lifetime of poor health because their parents made them inhale all their smoke. Or worse still, died in house fires when their smoking parent left the fag burning down the back of the settee. We have far more to gain from this ban than we will ever lose.Richard, London
I think pubs and bars will struggle to create outside smoking areas. This will lead to people smoking outside the front of premises. It will lead to cigarette butts on the floor, which will put people off going into some of these establishments depending on the look of the smokers outside. Overall the ban is a good thing, being one of the people that'll smoke a few cigs when having a drink, but generally I would like to stop doing this. The ban is really going to help me and others.Steven Fox, London