Good luck Ireland

Me and Steve were watching the news over breakfast and they were talking about the next smoking ban to take place in the UK. Following on from the welsh ban, it looks like Ireland will be next to face the new laws. It's happening in three weeks time and the reporters were talking to bar managers and restaurant owners about how their businesses will change.

They're all getting geared up for the ban, which surprised me as places local to me don't seem to be doing a thing. One pub owner had been talking to his regular punters so the ban wouldn't be a total shock. Another businessman had started developing an outside garden area to accommodate his smoking trade.

That's far more than anyone at my local bingo hall has done. I got a minute to speak with the girl at the front desk. She looked at me blankly when I mentioned the England ban and shrugged her shoulders! July the 1st isn't too far away and I've got a sneaky feeling something will happen. Still, there's always my PC. Whatever the rules at bingo, I know I can still play in the living room, and do whatever I please!

My cousin in Cardiff

I've just heard that the smoking ban in Wales has begun. I have a cousin living in Cardiff who smokes and was talking to her about how things have changed. To my surprise, Sally told me that not much had! People still smoke as and when they want in the street like before, and she's even been to restaurants where nobody's taken much notice.

I asked her if her local pub and the bingo hall she goes to have changed. She said the pub tries to enforce it as they serve food, and that it's a taboo to try lighting up at bingo. Now her and her friends have to pop outside to light up, but then they miss the bingo calls! Her one friend who doesn't smoke has to try keeping an eye on all their cards while the game carries on as they nip out!

I couldn't believe what she was telling me and asked her how she can be bothered to keep that up. She said it's not as fun as before but that she's stopped going too much and plays with her friends online instead. I'm not sure on the idea but might give it a go. I can imagine it being pretty funny, talking to her all the way in Cardiff whilst we're both blotting a card or two!