[garinda]

I returned to Glasgow this weekend. A place I lived for a while, a couple of years ago, but this was the first time I'd been back since the introduction of the smoking ban in public places.

As a smoker, I must say I wasn't particularly looking forward to standing out in the cold and wet, but I was pleasantly suprised.

The chi-chi boutique hotel suite, that was hired for my friends farewell bash, before they move to sunnier climes, had a balcony, so that was fine to indulge in a nicotine hit.

All the bars and clubs that I used to frequent, now have canopies, and heaters outside on the pavements. Some have tables, though you can't take your drinks out onto the street, unless there is a garden, so you tend not to stay out too long. However it is warm and dry whilst you have a cigarette.

Besides the trendy city centre bars, even the spit and sawdust pubs in the East End, that sell only pints of heavy and whisky, also seem to have adapted well, and have all provided dry areas outside to smoke.

The bars and clubs I revisted weren't as busy as I remember them, but even as a smoker the atmosphere inside was much more pleasant, because of the lack of smoke.

Another suprise of the changes was that at least three friends, who were life long, heavy smokers, have kicked the habit.

So in conclusion, something that I was dreading, isn't really going to be that bad.

As long as England also provides little shelters...to stop your fag being put out by the rain.