“As you will be aware smoking was banned in all public places (including bars and pubs) in the United Kingdom from last summer, some weeks ago. The definition of public places specifically includes ‘place of work’, such that offices and even my photo studio are included, meaning that the only place available for me to film in England is:
(a) in my home, which my wife does not want (she is an ex-smoker), or
(b) a hotel room that permits smoking.
Two weeks ago a taxi driver was stopped for smoking – when he asked why he was told that his taxi was deemed to be his place of work and he was fined approx US$ 1,000.

Currently I am in Israel and from 2 weeks ago smoking in all public places was also banned. I believe the same in France. Thankfully, it does not seem to have reached Eastern Europe as yet, where most of my filming takes place, but it won’t be long.”

So everyone (including us) who thinks that eventually smoking video may be our only outlet to see a variety of female smokers – may be off the mark. Maybe it won’t even be possible for most producers to shoot video in the coming years