How can smoking possibly be indefensible when so many people choose to do it and enjoy it ?”
Simon himself does not smoke . He describes himself as “ a tolerant non-smoker ” who believes strongly in freedom of choice . After a career in public relations , lobbying and journalism , he took over as FOREST ’ s Director in 1999 - only its fourth director since it was founded , which perhaps indicates the organisation ’ s staying power .
FOREST was founded in 1979 by the splendidly named Sir Christopher Foxley-Norris , a former Battle of Britain fighter pilot and lifelong pipe smoker who lived to be 86 . It soon had a full-time director and a small number of full-time staff . Now based in Cambridge , it is funded by donations from the ‘ Big Three ’ UK tobacco companies - BAT , Imperial and JTI .
It is also backed by a Supporters Council whose members include the artist David Hockey , the Oscar-winning screenwriter Sir Ronald Harwood and the musician Joe Jackson , who have all spoken out against harassment of smokers and excessive regulation .
Simon believes FOREST may be unique in the world , and puts its staying power down to being professionally run . “ Other smokers ’ groups have come and gone ,” he says . “ A similar group
The lunch was deliciously catered by Mark Grove and his team at Cook & Butler and we cracked along at a goodly pace . Our guests were admirably in the USA found it hard to late to book for this year ’ s events introduced by Liveryman Fran Morrison and our achieve a significant presence in in June : ‘ Smoke on the Water ’, Principal Guest , Tim Wonnacott gave a generous and the media . Smokepeace , a loose the annual riverboat party on the very humorous reply to which I responded initially association of smokers ’ rights Thames , and the ‘ Freedom Dinner ’ by drenching poor Tim in a glass of water - he was groups in Europe , most of them at Boisdale of Canary Wharf , very kind about it ( sorry Tim !). I was very pleased run by volunteers , ultimately where the guest speaker will be the to show off the newly found Livery Grant of Arms collapsed . Our professional staff very funny and outspoken Sunday and Letters Patent which have been missing for many enable us to sustain fast responses Times columnist Rod Liddle . years - our Clerk tenaciously sought them out , and and professional media visibility , the new Immediate Past Master , Chris Allen , and his and our 38-year history gives us
But you can sign up for FOREST ’ s IPM , Mark Gower-Smith have funded a beautiful representation and they forestonline are now . resplendent org / join-our-mailing- frames credibility .” mailing list at http :// www .
And FOREST is now carved spreading with tobacco list leaves / to be ( or kept close informed to ); Sandra about also its its wings further . It located has launched a huge banner activities not seen , and since to get 1985 ahead and of Angus the a chapter in Brussels Menzies , FOREST , Clerk to the queue Master for events Mariners next and year never ! shy EU , to give smokers of a voice challenge in saw to it that it was displayed on the the European Union Quarterdeck and to put .
Fran Morrison consumers at the heart of the EU
Liveryman Whilst all this was going on , apparently biblicalstyle downpours were being had all over London legislative debate .
Guillaume Périgois -, oblivious Director to all that drama we ended our lunch of FOREST EU , says and it will trooped arm back to the quarterdeck where Coffee , consumers with information Cigars , and Cognac awaited us ( I did mention that and resources for engaging our Livery with enjoyed dining on the High C ’ s ..) and politicians and regulators which . seemed Like to hit the mark – Liveryman Jemma FOREST in the UK Freeman , the EU had kindly provided the torpedo cigars chapter acknowledges and the had health had them placed in souvenir tubes with our risks , but says : “ If adults Crest emblazoned choose on it . Several of us also sported to smoke that ’ s a matter a limited for them edition Livery Smoking hat - originally and no-one else . It conceived is not a public as a sort of shooting hat , it serves its health issue ; it ’ s a private purpose health so well as a “ team ” hat , that of the twenty issue . We need a liberal ordered and , but one remained by the close of the day ! pragmatic approach Thank to tobacco you to the Master Mariners for allowing us the that puts empathy above use of dogma the venue , to Tim for being a perfect Principal and takes account of Guest the , views and for of everyone attending and giving my ordinary citizens .” year FOREST such a EU special ’ s start . website is at http :// forestonline . eu
Meanwhile , Simon says Tobacco Liverymen would be welcome at FOREST ’ s annual events , which are great fun and , of course , smoker-friendly . Sadly , it ’ s too
The Master
37 3