U.K.: Riot police storm pub after a smoker lights up in protest to the ban

The Daily Mail (U.K.) ^ | October 15, 2007

[Stoat]

Riot police storm pub after a smoker lights up in protest to the ban

Last updated at 08:37am on 15th October 2007

 

The ban on smoking in public places came into force in July this year

 

It wasn't exactly the dramatic finale one cricket fan was expecting.

Having installed himself in his local pub to watch England play India, John Vaughan was enraged when the channel was switched over to football just as the cricket was reaching its thrilling conclusion.

So Mr Vaughan lit up a cigarette in protest. When he refused to extinguish it, staff pressed a panic button behind the bar.

And a few minutes later six riot police officers wearing protective gear stormed the pub.

Mr Vaughan had been watching the one-day international at the Copper Pot pub in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, last month.

The game was about to finish when the channel was switched to the England versus Israel Euro 2008 football qualifier.

Mr Vaughan said yesterday: "The cricket only had ten minutes left, but the football wasn't even going to start for another 45 minutes.

"We complained but nothing happened. So I decided to light up out of protest.

"Staff told me I couldn't smoke, but I said I'd had enough of being pushed around by the Government.

"They pressed a panic button and the next thing I knew, there were six policemen in the pub and two outside."

No action was taken against demolition boss Mr Vaughan after he agreed to leave.

There was a big cheer round the pub from about 60 people, added Mr Vaughan, "and even the police found it quite amusing."

Warwickshire Police confirmed officers had been sent to the pub on September 8 following reports of a man "smoking and being aggressive".

A spokesman said: "They explained why he should not be smoking, asked him to leave and he did so happily."

[Clinging Bitterly]

They summoned a riot squad because a disgruntled cricket fan was smoking? Do the Brits not have bouncers?

The one TV thing might be explained by the TV tax they have to pay (which I assume would be applied to pubs as much as anywhere else).

[UnbelievingScumOnTheOtherSide]

If you are a smoker and you obey the law, then you are part of the problem and complicit in the tyranny.

[jonrick46]

"The entire effort to eliminate smoking is so that SOME people who don't like the smell of tobacco smoke will never have to smell it no matter WHERE they go." This may be the underLYING reason. However the health B.S., complete with dire warnings on the cigarette package will do nothing to prevent the ultimate fate of everyone.

[Scotsman will be Free]

Point taken.