"I'm pro-choice on smoking not just because I want to smoke but because I'm concerned about certain worrying political and cultural trends." 

Musician Joe Jackson,
a member of FOREST's Supporters Council

**********

"Why should the anti-smoking lobby dictate our lifestyle at the expense of our well-known culture of tolerance?"

Antony Worrall Thompson,
restaurateur, TV chef and patron of FOREST

**********

"I am totally against a ban on smoking in all public places. Pubs are not health clubs. People want to go into a pub and have a drink and a smoke. Saying they can't means they can't have a social life."

Artist David Hockney,
a member of FOREST's Supporters Council

**********

"FOREST is fighting for the rights not only for smokers, but of non-smokers, too, when it challenges petty-minded bureaucrats, arrogant ministers and hoardes of unelected 'specialists'."

Felix Dennis, poet and publisher, Maxim, The Week and many more

********************

"As a smoker I believe that smokers should have some rights, including the ability to smoke in some privately-run clubs, bars and restaurants."

Ranald Macdonald, owner of Boisdale Restaurants and member of FOREST's Supporters Council

**********

"Tobacco is not an illegal substance yet the government is persecuting a minority. I think that's a disgrace in a social democracy."

Ronald Harwood, screenwriter, playwright and member of FOREST's Supporters Council

**********

"I wholeheartedly support the campaign against a ban on smoking in public places. Just because I gave up at 59, other people may choose not to. There must be freedom of choice, something that is fast disappearing in this so-called free country."

Artist Maggie Hambling, who supports FOREST's campaign against the smoking ban

**********

"Whatever happened to freedom of choice? If smoking is legal, licensees should be allowed to choose whether or not they want to allow smoking on their premises."

Richard Shepherd, famous London restaurateur and supporter of FOREST's campaign

**********

"I don't smoke, and nor do I intend to, but I'm uneasy about a blanket ban because it sets a dangerous precedent about the reach of the state."

Lembit Opik, Liberal Democrat MP, speaking at FOREST press conference at the House of Commons, February 2006

**********

"This is not an issue about smoking. It's about freedom. I do not smoke and I do not like going into smoky places, and so I don't. That is my choice. There is no need for more nanny-state government interference."

Philip Davies, Conservative MP and FOREST supporter speaking at same FOREST press conference

**********

"I accept the fact that 75 percent of the public do not smoke and do not want smoke around them, but I am also concerned about the 25 percent who do smoke. I do not want to see those people marginalised."

Labour MP Bill Etherington, speaking at FOREST press conference