Morning after the night before

I am feeling just a tad hungover.

Got to bed at 3.30 and was woken at eight by BBC Radio Stoke for a pre-arranged interview about yet another hospital that is reversing a ban on smoking in its grounds.

I'm not sure that I made much sense but I'm feeling slightly less groggy now that I've had a full English breakfast and two cups of strong coffee at All Bar One.

Anyway, a quick report on last night's event co-hosted by Forest and the Tobacco Manufacturers Association.

We called it 'A no-nonsense, plain speaking drinks reception' and it went pretty well, I think. Guests included MPs, parliamentary researchers and other delegates.

The food was what you would expect at a "no-nonsense" party – mini burgers, mini fish and chips and mini pizza. And instead of the traditional champagne we offered bottled beers and generous glasses of red and white wine.

Making the point that the war on tobacco is fast becoming a war on food and drink as well, we labelled the bottles with the same warning that we used at the Hands Off Our Packs launch party in February.

Jaine Chisholm Caunt, secretary general of the TMA, gave a short speech. I said a few words, and then we played our Plain Packaging? No Minister! video.

The sign of a successful event is when guests are reluctant to leave. Last night we had to turn the lights off to 'nudge' people towards the exit.