GLADYS, 93, IS TOLD: IF YOU WANT A CIGGIE, GET OUT THE HOUSE

this is bristol.com ^ | 24 February 2006 | Tom Hobson

[SheLion]

A WOMAN in a wheelchair must go outside into the cold weather for a cigarette even though she is 93 - because smoking is banned in her nursing home.

Gladys Gornall, known as Chris, of the Norwood Lodge Nursing Home in Nore Road, Portishead, took up smoking 10 years ago after her husband died.

Daughter Joan Mock, 68, says it is the only thing she has left that keeps her happy.

And she says she fears her mother is more likely to die from exposure to cold winter weather than from smoking.

Mrs Mock said: "She's 93, she's in a wheelchair and she has to smoke outside. Last week I had to stand outside with her with an umbrella over her while it rained. We know it's not politically correct any more, but she is old and she will die of hypothermia rather than smoking at this rate."

Mrs Gornall said: "I'm sick and tired of going out there in the cold. I'm fed up with the whole situation. What else have I got to look forward to? I've got no other pleasures."

Mrs Mock said the home used to have a small room where smokers could light up. But she said the smoking ban in the building has now been enforced for health and safety reasons.

She said: "For God's sake, what can she do? There aren't any other smokers in the home now. This is all she has left as her bit of independence. It's so pathetic."

She said relatives of other residents at the home have sympathised with Mrs Gornall's plight.

The only real health problem the pensioner has is osteoarthritis in her knees.

Mrs Mock said: "She says they aren't going to stop her having a fag."

Mrs Gornall moved into the home with her husband, Albert, in 1996 but he died within weeks of their arrival. She took up smoking soon after his death.

Gill Lee, group operations manager for Belmont Care, which owns the home, said the non-smoking policy had been in place since before Mrs Gornall went into the nursing home. She said: "We've had a policy for years in Norwood Lodge of no smoking, mainly on health and safety grounds.

"Mrs Gornall, her daughter and her social worker had a meeting with the matron in May 2005 to explain to her the no-smoking policy in the home, and this was confirmed to her in writing."

She said none of the staff smoke inside the building. But she would not comment on whether the company's policy on enforcing the smoking ban had been tightened.

And she said allowing Mrs Gornall just to smoke in her own room would be "even worse".

She said: "To allow smoking in their room would cause even more health and safety issues."           

[elkfersupper]

Some genius should invent the "smoking tent". I mean if we can do an oxygen tent why not a smoking tent ?

Better yet, a "non-smoking tent", so those who want to live in a bubble can do so.

[Gabz]

That is so sad.

It's nice to know you are doing what you can to both accomodate and protect.

[inneroutlaw]

Better yet, a "non-smoking tent", so those who want to live in a bubble can do so.

LOL! Good one, doll!

[elkfersupper]

I wasn't aware of any business or private property that has banned the consumption of fast food.

It's coming. Wait and see.

[xrp]

Ok.

[elkfersupper]

LOL! yeah there's nothing like smoke to enhance one's "quality of life"...

You should try it one time.

[elkfersupper]

:)

[tiki]

There is no intervening with my MIL. If its any consolation, I went outside and smoked with her and had a great conversation. That's one thing about smokers we get in a lot of good times together when we're ostracized from the rest of the folks. I will also admit that when my MIL comes to my house or rides in my vehicle, I chain smoke.

[elkfersupper]

I certainly sympaythize with that, and thanks for doing the right thing.

[Mears]

"

---

but I don't think it's unreasonable to wish for a place that doesn't smell like your neighborhood bar 24 hours a day."

---

I think the poster was complaining aboujt the smell of smoke,not alcohol. Why associate smoking with bars? It makes no sense(unless you spend a lot of time in them).

[RandallFlagg]

There is no reason today that the non/anti's have a reason to bitch about "THE SMELL!"

To some, the smell doesn't matter.

You know how many morons have started coughing and waving their hands frantically at the sight of an unlit cigarette in my mouth at the malls?

Quite hilarious, actually.

[RandallFlagg]

I'll second the ionic breeze. I got one from Ebay for $150.00 and it works great.

But then, I roll my own and smoke additive-free tobacco. That has made a hugh difference in cleaning -the tar on everything disappeared.

[RandallFlagg]

I'm a big proponent of smoker's rights, but not where smoker's rights override business owner/private property owner rights.

LOL! Please cite me one case where smokers FORCED a business to accomodate them in this day and age. Just ONE.

[RandallFlagg]

Playing with it? Soon-to-be Darwin nominee?

Perhaps he's been already awarded and is sprayed all over a neighborhood somewhere....

[RandallFlagg]

I was referring to the odor; many newer cars have activated charcoal cabin air filters that are part of the scheduled maintenance program outlined in the owner's manual, although I know everyone isn't prepared to just run out and buy a new car for that benefit.

Heh! Good luck finding an ASHTRAY in these dang newer cars!!

[lewislynn]

You should try it one time.

I smoked for over 30 yrs before I quit ("You should try it one time")_...

I was never so selfish or wrapped up in my cigarettes to expect anyone else to go live in a tent or build a wing for me to escape my disgusting habit.

[RandallFlagg]

The beauty shop where I get my hair done allows smoking. The owner said she hired a new hairdresser and the next day she, the owner, came in to work and there were no smoking signs posted in HER shop. She said she took them down and fired her newly hired hairdresser.

This might sound a bit cruel, but....

BWAAAHAHAHAHAAA!!!!

[RandallFlagg]

Okay, that post just had me sitting here cracking up for about five minutes.

[Madame Dufarge]

Clearly buying and giving smokes to a ninety-three old, wheelchair bound woman is not the zenith of compassion.

She's 93, not 3.

What is the exact age you've determined that people will be more deserving of condescension than respect?

Are you unable to see this woman as a human being, or does being a smoker strip her of her membership in the human race?

Your smugness is appalling.

[Madame Dufarge]

What? She didn't know the rules when she moved in??

She's been smoking for 10 years, she moved in 10 years ago. They had a smoking room. The Nazis saw to it that the smoking room was closed.