Soap stars from Weatherfield through to Walford can no longer smoke in The Rovers or puff on a fag in The Queen Vic.
Smoking in public places was banned in England in July 2007. At the time Government Ministers argued the ban would save the lives of thousands of people.
Since then, the soaps, watched by millions of viewers a week have had to follow suit.
However, have TV bosses done enough? Here is a list of five characters who could join the trend to use electronic cigarettes, meaning they'd be free once again to enjoy a smoke after their hotpot in The Rovers!
1. Dot Branning or Dot Cotton as many people know the EastEnders stalwart is rarely seen without her cigarette in hand. The Queen of Gossip can no longer catch up with the latest comings and goings over a fag in the launderette. She has to don her fake fur coat and smoke in the cold outside. However, she could become a smart smoker and get her bosses to invest in an electronic cigarette. She could then go back to having a smoke and a cuppa in the back without breaking any laws.
2. Peter Barlow is a chain smoking ex-sailor. The bookie liked nothing better than a fag whilst checking out the horses in The Weatherfield Gazette during a break at The Rovers Return. Now though, he takes shelter on the cobbled streets where he's been spotted throwing his butts onto the famous road. With an e-cig there's no rubbish so he'd no longer be a litter lout!
3. Pat Butcher is the second longest serving character in EastEnders. She's known for her love of men, fur coats and big earrings - the larger the better! Pat loves a cigarette and switching her 20-a-day habit for an e-cig would save her money in the long run. More cash in her pocket would mean she could buy more jewellery and bright clothes!
4. Deirdre Barlow is married to University educated Ken. He hates smoking and sends Deirdre into the backyard of their terraced home. He complains about the smell. If Coronation Street bosses switched her habit to vaping, the odourless vapour would not be a problem.
5. The McDonald Family, consisting of Liz, Steve and Becky smoke in the backroom of The Rovers Return. However, with the regular visits made by Steve's young daughter Amy there are concerns about passive smoking. Medical professionals believe breathing in smoke exhaled by people around you could increase your chances of developing a smoking related disease. Electronic cigarettes don't burn tobacco so no secondary smoke is produced.
It remains to be seen whether TV executives will make the changes to the UK's favourite soaps.
Smoking in public places was banned in England in July 2007. At the time Government Ministers argued the ban would save the lives of thousands of people.
Since then, the soaps, watched by millions of viewers a week have had to follow suit.
However, have TV bosses done enough? Here is a list of five characters who could join the trend to use electronic cigarettes, meaning they'd be free once again to enjoy a smoke after their hotpot in The Rovers!
1. Dot Branning or Dot Cotton as many people know the EastEnders stalwart is rarely seen without her cigarette in hand. The Queen of Gossip can no longer catch up with the latest comings and goings over a fag in the launderette. She has to don her fake fur coat and smoke in the cold outside. However, she could become a smart smoker and get her bosses to invest in an electronic cigarette. She could then go back to having a smoke and a cuppa in the back without breaking any laws.
2. Peter Barlow is a chain smoking ex-sailor. The bookie liked nothing better than a fag whilst checking out the horses in The Weatherfield Gazette during a break at The Rovers Return. Now though, he takes shelter on the cobbled streets where he's been spotted throwing his butts onto the famous road. With an e-cig there's no rubbish so he'd no longer be a litter lout!
3. Pat Butcher is the second longest serving character in EastEnders. She's known for her love of men, fur coats and big earrings - the larger the better! Pat loves a cigarette and switching her 20-a-day habit for an e-cig would save her money in the long run. More cash in her pocket would mean she could buy more jewellery and bright clothes!
4. Deirdre Barlow is married to University educated Ken. He hates smoking and sends Deirdre into the backyard of their terraced home. He complains about the smell. If Coronation Street bosses switched her habit to vaping, the odourless vapour would not be a problem.
5. The McDonald Family, consisting of Liz, Steve and Becky smoke in the backroom of The Rovers Return. However, with the regular visits made by Steve's young daughter Amy there are concerns about passive smoking. Medical professionals believe breathing in smoke exhaled by people around you could increase your chances of developing a smoking related disease. Electronic cigarettes don't burn tobacco so no secondary smoke is produced.
It remains to be seen whether TV executives will make the changes to the UK's favourite soaps.
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