It is a funny old world when one thinks about it.

I can remember during the Second World War, my mother and aunts talking between themselves during the Blitz: "I must get something for my nerves" one would say to the other.

So off went one of them to the doctors and on her return, being asked what he had recommended, answered: "Woodbines".

These were one of the cheaper cigarettes of the day.

The evils of smoking had been known since 1907 but never mind this was to get us through a world war.

It had got us through the First World War it would surely get us through a second.

So when we gathered ourselves to go to the shelter with blankets under our arms, the call of the evening would be: "Don't forget the Woodbines, Nell".

Which brings me to the main point: thousands of people have been indoctrinated not to smoke by hygiene and health experts, which makes me wonder would their work have all been in vain and go up in smoke if we had another war?

This is not to say go out and buy another packet of cigarettes but I was just thinking it's a funny old world.

G Woodget
Orpington