I'm watching BBC News 24 as I'm browsing the net (and writing the previous blog entry) and I'm getting angrier at the telly all the time. Apparently the UK government is considering a ban on cigarette machines in pubs, and displays of cigarettes in news agents and other shops. Surely the theory behind it is that, if it is out of view, people will be less likely to buy it. I have never really been a smoker, though I have lit the odd casual fag or cigar. Though I can get very annoyed with Lottie smoking while sat next to me or in the bed room, with smokers on the bus and in other places where I can hardly avoid breathing it in.. I still think the government's idea is utter madness. It won't stop people buying cigarettes - it'll go under the counter if necessary. Instead, the buyer won't see the choice of products (I'll have a harder time still finding Gauloises) or the prices. And the already beleaguered newsagents will be forced to comply with yet more non-sense. "Can I get 10 Richmond please?" I might ask the guy at the garage. "Oh we don't have any." "Al right, what other brands have you got?" "I can't tell you, officially, I'm not allowed to advertise them." "Okay let me have another guess - 20 Richmond Smooth maybe?" "Okay, 7 pounds 23 please." "You're kidding?" "Sorry, this particular package has gone up in price since the tax increase. You do have other choices though." "Like which?" "Guess. But do hurry, there are other customers."