Peace, love - and a fine handrolled cigar

THE unsavoury scenes from London and beyond this week got me thinking.

Red Indians used to smoke the pipe of peace at their pow-wows; I reckon there's a lot to be said for people settling their differences with a sit-down and a cigar.

The calming ritual of choosing and lighting up gives time for tempers to cool and hard lines to soften; the social side of cigar smoking means that we're perhaps more open to other points of view.

There's no coincidence that the world's leaders have come to some of the biggest decisions in our times over a good cigar. Perhaps we should start up a 'Cigars for Society' non-prejudicial, open think tank where, as long as they are calm, civilised and respectful, people can come and air their views over a good cigar and build bridges where none currently exist?

Best,

M.