(695)  ENGLISH  PUB-SMOKING CASE INVOLVES NON-SMOKING SCOTTISH LANDLORD

On 5 November 2007 Hamish Howitt (55), the non-smoking Scottish landlord of the Happy Scots Bar in Blackpool, became the first publican to be convicted of breaching the legislative ban on indoor smoking in England, which came into force on 1 July.  He pleaded guilty and was fined £500 and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £2,000.  The offences took place from 1 July on; police not only found Happy Scots customers lighting up and puffing away but also observed cigarette butts in ashtrays and a strong smell of smoke.  The bar was adorned with posters and banners opposing the new law.  Mr Howitt has also set up a new political party called Fight Against Government Suppression (FAGS), saying that someone has got to stop this law