I have a new found appreciation for women's hockey

The International Olympic Committee will investigate the actions of Canadian women's hockey players who celebrated their gold medal victory Thursday night by swigging beer and smoking cigars on the ice in Vancouver.

A number of players, including 18-year-old superstar Marie-Philip Poulin, were drinking alcohol on the ice following the team's 2-0 defeat of the United States. (The legal drinking age in BC is 19.)

Players lingered for more than 70 minutes after the awards ceremony reveling in the arena, which was empty except for media and arena staff.

European TV Sucks

But you have to like the commercials!

Belgium cigarette sales plummet

Sales of cigarettes in Belgium fell by 6.7% during 2007. The big fall in sales of cigarettes and other tobacco product has meant that the Belgian treasury raised 150 million less in tobacco excise duty than expected last year. The tobacco companies claim that the fall in sales has come about as a result of the smoking ban in restaurants and at places of work.
The ban came into force at the beginning of last year and means that smoking is only allowed in designated smoking rooms.The ban doesn't affect pubs and bars. Another reason cited for the fall in sales is the increased excise duty on tobacco products that has served to sharply increase the price of a packet of cigarettes.