The following are the people most often quoted in the smoking debate. But would you want to invite any of them to dinner? Previous ratings in brackets. Ratings can go down as well as up - and often do!!
__________
- Simon Clark, director, Forest
Non-smoker Simon Clark joined Forest in 1999. Fat and 49, his first loves are eating, drinking and publishing, not necessarily in that order. Enjoys his food (obviously) but is a bit opinionated, tends to argue with guests, and has been known to fall asleep during dessert.
Dinner rating: 6/10
__________
- Neil Rafferty, press officer, Forest
A freelance journalist who has covered the Scottish Parliament for the Press Association, Sunday Mail and Sunday Times Scotland, Neil is co-founder of the satirical online magazine The Daily Mash. Invite him to dinner and you'll get all the latest Holyrood gossip.
Dinner rating: 8/10
__________
- Antony Worrall Thompson, patron, Forest
Wozza has hosted Forest events at The Groucho Club and The Savoy Hotel and has represented Forest on numerous programmes including BBC Breakfast, Sky News, BBC Radio Five Live, Channel 4 News and BBC2's The Money Programme. Invite him to dinner? Don't be silly. Ask him to cook it!!
Dinner rating: 10/10
__________
- Joe Jackson, writer and musician
For 20 years singer songwriter Joe Jackson lived in New York. Then came the smoking ban. Browsing the internet he discovered Forest which he described as a "ray of light in the gathering darkness". The Grammy award-winning musician then quit America, returned to Britain, joined Forest's Supporters Council, wrote a thought-provoking article for the Daily Telegraph, and subsequently appeared on numerous TV and radio programmes including Radio 4's prestigious Today programme. While Wozza is cooking for his supper, JJ can sing for his.
Dinner rating: 9/10
__________
One of Britain's most influential post-war artists, David Hockney first attended a private Forest dinner in 2004 and declared it to be a "life enhancing experience". We subsequently joined forces and took the 2005 Labour party conference by storm. David later attended the 2006 Forest Annual Awards at The Groucho Club and has appeared on various radio and TV shows denouncing those "dreary" politicians who want to stop people smoking in public.
Dinner rating: 8/10
__________
- Ranald Macdonald, restaurateur
Son of a clan chief, Ranald founded Boisdale Bar and Restaurant in 1988. Today it's a haven for people who enjoy good food, fine wine, stirring music and a relaxing smoke courtesy of a superb, £40,000, "cigar terrace". A member of our Supporters Council, Ranald was once "arrested" at a Forest event for "inciting guests to eat, smoke, drink and generally enjoy themselves". Invite him to dinner and he will no doubt woo the ladies before retiring, tired and emotional, to his Belgravia pad.
Dinner rating: 9/10
__________
- Deborah Arnott, director, ASH
Deborah Arnott is cool. OK, she can bore for England, but the old girl deserves some respect. Her predecessor Clive Bates was a hard act to follow but ice cold Debs has surpassed even Clive's achievements as director of ASH.
Dinner rating: 5/10
__________
- Martin Dockrell, campaigns manager, ASH
ASH's most recent recruit has 20 years' experience of health campaigning including five years with Asthma UK. "ASH," he trills, "is a fearless and feisty campaigning organisation and represents the best traditions of voluntary sector health action." Yeah, right.
Dinner rating: 1/10 (and that's generous)
__________
- Amanda Sandford, research manager, ASH
Professional do-gooder Amanda Sandford has outlasted at least four directors and may outlive Deborah Arnott as well. Amanda's goal is a society where people can smoke but only at home (and not while she's there). If you do light up in her presence, expect a coughing fit and frantic hand gestures as she tries to disperse all those allegedly dangerous particles. Invite Amanda to dinner and you'll be smoking in the garden - if you're very, very lucky.
Dinner rating: 3/10
__________
- Paul Hooper, South Warwickshire Primary Care Trust
Still one of our favourite anti-smoking activists, Hooperman has represented ASH, Smoke Free Birmingham and Smoke Free Warwickshire and is currently regional tobacco policy manager, South Warwickshire Primary Care Trust. Referring to the fact that he was about to have dinner with a smoker, he famously told the Kenilworth Weekly News, "He'll probably light up at the table. And it won't bother me in the slightest." Good man!
Dinner rating: 8/10
__________
Crazy name, crazy guy. Co-founder of Americans for Non-Smokers Rights and founder of Smoke Free Movies, Stanton Glantz's intolerance of smoking is legendary. A frequent visitor to these shores, in 2001 he turned up in London to recommend a ban on smoking in pubs and restaurants. The same year he welcomed a Los Angeles council plan to ban smoking in public parks as the "next logical step". Still going strong.
Dinner rating: 3/10
__________
- Chris Ogden, director, TMA
Chris Ogden joined the Tobacco Manufacturers Association as executive director of trade and industry affairs in 1997 following six years as deputy director general of the Advertising Standards Authority and chairman of the European Advertising Standards Alliance. As befits as ex-army officer (1971-1988) he is calm under fire and rarely ruffled, hence his current role as the TMA's chief media spokesman. A smoker who enjoys a drink, Ogden's debonair manner and dulcet tones offer a striking contrast to the strident voices of the anti-smoking brigade.
Dinner rating: 7/10