Scotland, whisky, cigars and jazz – join the conversation!

Quick reminder of tonight's meeting on Zoom.

The Smoking Room will feature a chat with restaurateur Ranald Macdonald (above) who has been urging the Government to lift the lockdown on pubs and restaurants as soon as possible.

We'll also discuss smoking bans (including threats to ban smoking in al fresco dining areas) and what are reported to be Ranald's four great loves – Scotland, whisky, cigars and jazz.

Most important, this is a conversation so we want to hear from you too.

The meeting begins at 6.00pm but you need to register no later than 5.00. Click here.

Meanwhile here’s another reply from a parliamentarian declining Forest’s invitation to take part in next month’s webinar on the Government’s forthcoming tobacco control plan:

Thank you Simon, but I can honestly see little point in a forum run by and for the tobacco industry.

I couldn’t let that go, obviously, so I replied (very politely):

Many thanks for your prompt response. Much appreciated.

To be clear, and to avoid any confusion, Forest receives donations from tobacco companies but we are not, and never have been, 'run by and for the tobacco industry'.

Just wanted to make that clear.

Best wishes,

I won't say who it was but it’s a sad, if unsurprising, reflection on those who sit in judgement on us.

It also highlights the difficulty of having any sort of debate when one side simply refuses to take part.

I guess we'll have to struggle on without them.

See also: If you can't get a reply from an MP what does it say about our democracy?