Smokey drinkey...

I don't usually get involved in the arguments about smoking and drinking other than to say it's up to the individual how he treats his own body, but I thought this piece might just cheer up my old friends the Filthy Engineer and Leg Iron.

This is Arthur Langran. Last month, Arthur celebrated his 100th birthday. Congratulations, Arthur.

Arthur was asked to what he attributed the secret of his long and active life. He told us that he had smoked al least 10 ciggies every day since the age of 20 and religiously drinks a glass of Macallum single malt scotch every night before going to bed.

So that's over 300,000 cigarettes and few hundred crates of scotch. Oh, and he also smokes a pipe. So how has this effected him?

His son, who fortuitously for Arthur's scotch habit owns a pub, says "His doctor has said it's not worth telling him to give up the cigarettes. He's still in good health and gets up stairs whenever he wants."

So take heart - there are lies, damn lies and statistics...