SMOKING – I hate smoking. The combination of a bizarre e-mail cropping up in my inbox and a tight-chested, claustrophobic evening spent in a beer garden recently reminded me of this fact.

For me, the beer garden can, and should, be something of a British paradise when enjoyed in the height of summer with a group of friends, daft conversation and a few cold drinks for company.

But that haven appears to now be the domain of the chainsmoker, endlessly puffing away on a string of foul smelling fags and clogging up the air all around.

Increasing numbers of smokers seem to be dominating all available outside spaces at our favourite watering holes, leaving little in the way of fresh air.

This is an obvious byproduct of the smoking ban that has forbidden them from sparking up indoors since July 1, 2007, though plenty of smoking areas and shelters have cropped up to give them their own special home when they light up.

A bit of common courtesy wouldn’t go amiss and taking a few steps over to said shelter or shack would be quite easy and allow the non-smokers to carry on as normal.

By all means enjoy your vice while I enjoy my cider, just don’t leave me in an uncomfortable cloud while I try to cram in a bit more time outside after a long day or week cooped up in the office.

It is a long way from the days where you could walk into a bar or club and be able to cut the air that was thick with smoke, yet it is still enough to make an otherwise pleasant evening a little uncomfortable at times.

Another strange result of the smoking ban is the advent of the electronic cigarette, which moves me neatly onto the odd e-mail.

E-cig brand E-Lites has stepped forward to become main sponsor of the O2 in London, in turn allowing gig goers to wander the concourse areas taking a drag on the odd little contraptions.

Although they don’t contain the tar, tobacco, carbon monoxide, or the thousands of additional chemicals found in traditional cigarettes, the little devices have already been banned from certain premises.

It would be a strange sight but one that would be a lot more acceptable and lung friendly than the old alternative.