Sure it’s not big or clever to smoke – it’s a body-wrecking addiction, but it will be strange to think that the pint and fag combination – once as re-assuring as bacon and egg, and only slightly more dangerous if some nutritionists are to be believed - will never again be seen together and enjoyed in an enclosed public space.

 

If our politicians get on a roll, what might be next to get the chop on the grounds of public health and national well being? Could it be alcohol, which surely causes more harm than smoking – both to those who abuse it and the unfortunate bystanders who have to suffer the drunken consequences? Of course not. And, by the way, I’m not suggesting a ban, just highlighting an inconsistency.

 

Then there are bad foods, let’s call this phenomenon ‘nutricide’. Will the government step in to ban obesity-boosting saturated fats, diabetes-causing sugar abuse and artificial sweeteners thought to be neuro-toxins? Again, I think not; yet once more, clearly inconsistent.

 

And what will the smoking ban really achieve? No more addicts lighting up while you’re trying to enjoy a meal for one thing, which will be great. Workers will be protected – again great, but will it really cause smokers to quit? I doubt it; they’ll mostly go elsewhere for a puff because I suspect people will quit when THEY are good and ready, not when the government says so.

 

The same applies to foods that harm – and many do. Nnetheless I reckon the same freedom of choice should apply here: go ahead and eat what you like. Only trouble is, the abundance of information that informed smokers on the dangers of fags isn’t – believe it or not – as readily available for ‘bad food’. Right enough, there’s more information than ever, but mark my words, revelations and scandals will appear in the coming years.

 

If you want to be pro-active and stop committing nutricide before the coming public outcry or two, look no further than Torquay’s holistic Kevala Centre who need nutritional guinea pigs. No – it’s not a sinister force-feeding nightmare. It’s an opportunity to volunteer for a nutritional therapy consultation with students on their three-year Nutritional training programme.

 

It’s a great opportunity to learn more about ‘real food’, not the fillers, flavours and fuels that pass for it, and your unique nutritional needs. Kevala’s students take the view that nutrition is the key to good health and that the recommendations given can help to alleviate underlying conditions and problems in a natural and effective way. 

 

The consultations are a free and professionally supervised service as part of the student’s training programme - volunteers are needed for April. Call  01803 215678 to get involved and ask for Jacqueline Nicholls-White, Kevala’s Director of Learning Support.