FOLLOWING the success of our first Zoom meeting last month (33 participants) we are pleased to invite you to join us for a second online chat next week.

Chaired by Rob Lyons, author of 'Nicotine Wars: Fight for Choice', our special guest on Tuesday 19th May is Chris Snowdon, head of the Lifestyle Economics Unit at the Institute of Economic Affairs.

As well as appearing regularly on TV and radio, Chris also writes for The Spectator, the Telegraph and numerous other publications.

Chris and Forest director Simon Clark will answer questions but the aim of these events is to generate an informal pub style chat so we will do our best to include everyone who has something to say. (If you just want to watch or listen that's fine too.)

Suggested topics

On 20th May the sale of menthol cigarettes will be banned in the UK and throughout the EU. If you smoke menthol cigarettes tell us what you'll miss and how you'll adapt to the ban. We'll discuss some of the alternatives including infusion cards, menthol cigarillos, e-cigarettes and heated tobacco.

We'll also talk about the letter Mark Pritchard MP has written to Health Secretary Matt Hancock, urging the government to introduce new restrictions on smoking outside pubs and cafes with outdoor seating if and when lockdown restrictions are lifted. 

If you're not aware of the story you can read about it here.



Date and time

Date: Tuesday 19th May 2020
Time: 6.00 - 7.00pm

Register

If you wish to join us please register in advance. It will allow us to send you the relevant Zoom link plus a reminder ahead of the meeting. Email [email protected].

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Getting ready – a message from Rob Lyons
 
If you are new to this you will need a computer or other device that has a screen, and we recommend using headphones rather than speakers (although speakers are fine if you don't have headphones).
 
To join in, your device will also need a microphone, so we can hear you, and ideally a camera, so we can see you. Most laptops, tablets and smartphones will be fine.
 
To ensure that we can get the meeting started on time please click on the link we will send out in advance of the meeting, using the device that you’ll be using on the evening. This will prompt you to register with Zoom and download the relevant software.

You only need to have the free version installed to take part in the meeting – you do not need to pay. (You may decide Zoom is great and buy a version later, but you won’t need it for this meeting.)
 
When you’ve done all this, you may be told the meeting hasn’t started yet, but that’s fine. Just close the window or app, and come back when the meeting is due to start.
 
I will start the meeting on Zoom at 5.45pm – that will give us 15 minutes to get everyone online and ready to go. I will start the meeting formally at 6pm and I expect it to end at 7.00pm.
 
Using Zoom
 
There will be a quick tutorial on how to use the system before we start – just the essentials!