Should Deirdre Barlow give up the fags?

The idea of Deidre sneaking around and trying to hide the fact that she has a smoke from time to time seems fitting for her character and it also demonstrates how difficult it is to quit smoking. So let Deidre keep sneaking her smokes ... the message is still there that the single best thing a person who smokes can do for their health is to stop smoking.

tvor liz smokes alot

No, if it's something she enjoys why should she. If I remember correctly Deirdre tried to give up the cigs once before but failed.

Absolutely, Deirdre should stop smoking! Considering the actress in real life is a survivor of lymphoma, I don't think the writers should subject her to a health risk. In her position, she is at increase risk of recurrence or a secondary cancer. It also doesn't look good for the character. She is setting a poor example to other survivors of cancer.

Keith is right - the actress hasn't been able to quit smoking, despite surviving cancer of the throat. I agree, too, that Deirdre standing out puffing away in her backyard adds something to the character. She looks rebellious and guilty at the same time.

I like, too, when they just have actors smoke who actually smoke in real life - see the entry on the producers wanting Ken to have a smoke!

Amen, Sunny Jim. Amen.

Long may she continue to smoke and stick 2 fingers up at the holier-than-thous of the world and the nanny state.

I have to say I love it when Deirdre has a sly smoke in the back yard. It really is rebellion.

I think it adds another dimension to her character. You know when she is in the back yard having a fag there is stress in her life.

I think the producers should care more about these actors and NOT have them smoke while on camera and get them to quit in real life. The actress who plays Deidre had a close call with her throat problem I hear. She got her raspy voice from smoking on the set and in real life.

I don't care about realism if it comes at the expense of the actors who smoke and the non-smoking actors (second hand smoke is dangerous!)

I think it makes her more realistic. If I had a daughter like Tracy I'd be smoking like a fiend!

well her voice might clear up, and the wrinkles may slow, but then she wouldn't be Deirdre would she?

Does she not smoke in real life, despite an operation on her throat?

I hope she doesn't give up the fags. They make her look so glamourous!!

There aren't that many left that do smoke are there? Deirdre and Jack both only smoke now and then, Les and Janice both do, Steve does sometimes, Hmm think i've seen Lloyd as well on rare occasions. That's about it, isn't it? Deirdre isn't a regular, heavy smoker anyway, i didn't think.