Second licensee hit with summons over smoking ban

When, like myself, you have grown up in East Germany, during the time of the STASI, you really value and love freedom. You don't want more and more laws, rules and regulations to be brought in, you value that people are able to choose. You also realise that more laws and rules does not equal a happier, safer and healthier society. It seems that many younger and middle aged people in the UK have never seriously had their freedom threatened (until now!) so many don't really appreciate it, like for instance I do. I know what it is like to live in a police state, be suspicious of your neighbour etc. If you don't use freedom, you will lose it and I have a feeling that it the direction in which life is going in Britain. I am a non smoker, but what I feel really confused about is, if the idea of exclusively no smoking pubs is so popular then surely there is no need for legislation. The economics would speak for themselves. Non smoking pubs would thrive and be in abundance and smoking pubs would be few or would go bust. Yet this has not been the case, surely that says something about majority opinion?

Please keep fighting Nick along with others, at least you can see the bigger picture. They antis are fighting in Canada now for smokefree patios. http://www.news1130.com/news/topstory/article.jsp?content=20070912_140950_5824 Smoking ban on restaurant patios could be coming Vancouver restaurant patio News1130 Photo Wednesday, September 12 - 11:09:50 AM Dean Recksiedler VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - Smokers in Vancouver could be running out of room to puff. A staff report to City Council is asking politicians to ban smoking on restaurant patios. Errol Povah with the anti-smoking group AirSpace says it's about time. "Depending on wind, or breezes, the odds of having a meal or drink ruined on a patio are extremely high if smoking is permitted on that patio. It does a great deal of harm, and there's no 'safe' level of exposure to second-hand smoke. It's gotta go." If we let the antis breeze through with this, we know, drink and food will be next. A blanket ban was NOT, wanted by the majority If you think this ban is wrong and you would like a voice, Please go to www.freedom2choose.info/ WE NEED TO FIGHT THIS TOGETHER http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/PublicSmokeRoom/ We need to get this ban amended to include ventilation, Please help us, with your support and donations are very welcome, large or small

To all you non smokers who have condemned Nick and Hamish for standing up for our freedom, OUR FREEDOM NOT JUST FOR SMOKERS YOU FOOLS!!! It is just typical of the non smoking brainwashed puritans who are so selfish they can not see past their own smugness to get a view of the bigger picture. NOBODY WANTS TO TAKE AWAY YOUR CHOICES OR YOUR FREEDOM. So stick your dummies back in and let the rest of the sane population get on with protecting our rights.EVERYBODYS.

to all you that are posting against nick, read the new story about just about everything in a pub that gives you cancer - will you now be serving people with only one pint a week? only serving organic salads with no dressing or meat? no more peanuts? no more spirits? The antis are raving again and people like Nick, Hamish & Tony are here to try and prevent this ludicrus Labour govt imposing a total ban on anything Pub related.

Best wishes to Nick and the others. This is a matter of the right to choose whether to indulge and allow his customers to indulge in a legal pastime on private property. Those who ask if he thinks he has the right to choose which laws to obey should ask themselves if they would have said the same to Rosa Parks. As for 'Luaz', why can't non smokers be less selfish and form non smoking pubs? If they are so happy with the new law why are so many pubs losing money hand over fist? Seems anti smokers want to be able to go into smoke free pubs, just that they don't bother to actually excercise the right.

Sorry Lauz. You are the selfish one. Because you don't smoke you don't like to see others enjoying themselves. You could have always gone to Michael Wilson's pub or some other pub which was smoke free.

Its interesting to note that of the previous sixty comments, fifty were in support of Nick Hogans defiance of what is clearly an unjust removal of our livil liberty. I can also happily add myself to his supporters. This is a fine example of how the government presented fictitious figures (80%) supporting the ban. No referendem was carried out so where and how did the government establish this percentage? The simple fact is they didn't, prefering instead to simply make up a number to give credence to a blatent violation of our rights. And this is what they call democracy.

I think this ban is brilliant and I have been looking forward to its implementation. It is so nice now to be able to go into a pub, bar or club and a) be able to breathe properly, b) be able to see across the room c) not have your eyes stinging from the smoke and d) not to go home stinking of an ash tray. It is the most horrible, unattractive habit that harms both you and the people around you. I think this law is a good thing to help England become a healthier place. Smokers should stop being so selfish and try and think about the people around them. You choose to smoke so go outside!!

I have no sympathy for landlords/managers who choose to ignore the smoking ban. It's the law, it's there for a reason so deal with it! We have all known about the ban coming in for months now. I took the bull by the horns nearly two years ago and made my pub completely smoke free. The first few months beer sales did drop, but profits have increased year on year since. I am a smoker myself and do not object to standing outside for five minutes when I want a cigarette. Staff turnover has greatly reduced since I am able to provide them with a clean safe environment.

well done nick & hamish for being lambs to the slaughter. you will lose your cases and probably vast amounts of money by the time you've tried every level of justice and the good people who back so vocally the cause will melt in to the background with their wallets tucked firmly in their pockets. i salute your foolhardy pursuit!

Thank you and good luck Nick for defending peoples right to a choice. Forcing the UKs twelve million smokers outside of pubs and clubs is taking things too far and is practically discrimination. There were plenty of non smoking pubs to go to before the ban. I dont think the ban should be overturned but amendments should be made to allow smoking in certain areas or rooms inside.

You have my 100% backing on this one. Well done for sticking your head above the parapet. I believe as licensees we should be able to choose whether to have smoking or non smoking premises. Our seaside south eastern pub has been brought to its knees in a matter of weeks, partly due to weather but undoubtedly by this ridiculous law. We have probably 85% smokers in our pub and they are choosing to go to each others houses rather than brave the elements. We will fall first then let the government watch the domino effect they will cause. See you all in Spain!!!!!

To Jack Row,you really do typify why this country has gone to the dogs,I imagine you voted for Blair and his cronies and I doubt you would fight for anything!

Why do people keep bantering on about the smoking law?? Hey hers an idea.... just break all laws, and have anachy... the people of this country do not get to choose which laws should come into place, that is left to the publicly ellected Parliment... so at the end of the day.. who is to blame?? after all who voted the government in?? The Public Did! This is a law for future generations... Who wants to see their children and grandchildren grow up with Harmful Smoking Desises?? Not me... this is a good thing really... we just can't see the benifits yet... but it is good for the future...

Good luck Nick. This appears to be a stealth tax on the less well off and landlords, who are easy targets. The Rolling Stones were allowed to smoke on stage. The organisers allowed them to do so. MPs have been seen smoking in the toilets in the House of Commons. A policeman was caught smoking in a police van. This is the most unfair tax since the Poll Tax.

good luck keep it up dave west

Goodluck Nick when you have your day in court iam behind any body who take a stand against this strupid law All the non smokers who is for this law should stand outside in the middle of winter then they may change thier minds and understand why we as smokers are up in arms about this ban

All the best Nick! If only there were many more like you.

Nick, bldy well done, the sooner the lies behind this law are exposed, and the general public become aware that their "beneficial" government have lied to them yet again the better. As Nick knows quite well there is no reason why a publican should be required to be an unpaid policeman in his own house. the government have spent millions of pounds setting up a private police force with covert powers to spy to enforce this ban, let them police it.

Good luck in court Nick and Hamish too! This country is supposed to be a democracy not a Nazi state! With modern air conditioning technology, a separate smoking area INSIDE shouldn't be an issue! I wonder if the anti smokers will be so smug when the way the nanny state is going, next time they pay their bi-annual visit to their local, they are sipping their half out of a plastic glass!

To Jack Row i say! The majority of the Public DID NOT SAY SO! in fact they had NO SAY!... It was figures made up, from i don't know what twaddle; then presented to the government, who were sucked in by their lies! NO ONE HAS EVER DIED FROM PASSIVE SMOKING/SHS! Ask WHO/ASH to proove it to you! They will avoid you're question like the plague...BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO PROOF...NO SCIENTIFIC PROOF....no concrete fact/figures....JUST MADE UP RUBBISH! One and only one thing i agree with is alot of people wanted a Partial Ban, to make it comfortable for all concerned; But THE MINORITY 37% ONLY WANTED A BLANKET BAN! POLLS SHOW CLEARLY THAT 57% OF POPULATION WANTED ONLY A PARTIAL BAN WITH PEOPLE BEING GIVEN THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE! I SAY AGAIN OPEN YOU'RE EYES, RESEARCH YOUR SUPPOSED FACTS! YOU WILL DISCOVER THE POWERS THAT BE; AINT ALL THERE CRACKED UP TO BE! TO NICK , AS I SAID BEFORE WE'RE ALL 100% BEHIND YOU! ..www.freedom2choose.info LASTLY, I HOPE ALL YOU ANTIS LOSE YOUR LIVELIHOODS; IN AN UNDEMOCRATIC WAY; AND THERES NO CHANCE OF AN APPEAL! OH BUT I FORGOT IN YOUR LITTLE WORLD, EVERYTHINGS ROSEY..... remember the old saying.....LET HE WITHOUT SIN CAST THE FIRST STONE!

"The sky is falling, the sky is falling" said Chicken Little! No, the sky is not falling and the British pub trade will continue on without smoking. In my many trips to New York City, which adopted a ban on smoking several years ago, it has been proven that the pub / tavern trade has profited from the change. The 2003 ban on smoking inside public places in New York City was met with intense opposition. Business owners claimed that they would lose all of their patrons. The Citizens Lobbying Against Smoker Harassment (CLASH) filed a lawsuit arguing that the ban was unconstitutionally vague. Yet, it is four years later and bars remain busy and the rancor has settled down. New York pubs did not collapse after the ban. In fact, they flourished It's the law now, get on with it..

For Jack Row....The council will spend far more than it will receive in bringing this issue to court. Ultimately, the losers will be the taxpayers. This law is petty and unjustified, and should be repealed. Best of luck, Nick.

My husband and i are Scottish and have lived and worked in the License trade in England for 20 years. We gave up our tenancy in Northampton in April due to the implementation of the smoking ban We went to Scotland to see family 3 weeks later and discovered being iminent. that many pubs had closed due to the ban 26/03/06 and my old dad who had a choice of 5 locals was reduced to only 1 and that was mainly a restaurant. Whilst i agree that workplaces and public buildings should be smoke free i dont think public houses should be included in the ban as they are and always have been social meeting places, nor do i believe that all those santimonious non smokers will frequent these struggling businesses any more than usual. Cheers to the nanny state !!!

I hope Nick and Hamish both demonstrate the cod science used to bring in this ban. It is only the pharmaceutical companies who are benefitting with this in their sales of patches and other NRT products(including Zyban which is proven to cause heart attacks). And I sincerely hope this challanbge of the law will bring about a change in how science is used in relation to law making as at the moment it seems whatever quango research is used for future legislation that is clearly connected to powerful interests. So once again my hat goes to Nick, Hamish and the 50 or so others flouting this obscene draconian legislation. Why are the fines so high? Perhaps because otherwise the law wouldnt have a foot to stand on- given the hordes of nonsmokers are proven to be fantasy!

Good luck to Mr Hogan at least he has got the guts to stand up for his rights. Pubs are not publicaly owned they are privately owned. Whether smoking takes place on the premises should be the owners choice, not the smoker, not the non smoker and definitely not governments. No one is forced over the door of a pub, no one is forced to work there. Smoking bans are a gross infringement of private property rights. I carnt believe how many publicans have just rolled over and put their business on the line. So good luck Mr hogan you deserve it. Take them all the way.

To Jack Row - Quoting "the goverment say so & the EU says so......" 1) Who gives a flying what the EU say, Most people dont want to be part of the EU. As for the goverment, well will you be singing their praises when there are no more pubs? when they have all been coverted to mosques or kurdistan,turkish,iranian (the list goes on) resteraunts?? as the floodgates have been opened to just about anybody in the world to enter the UK and take jobs (or The Dole which is the majority) when there are no jobs left, no benefits left, no pubs, no booze, no fags and nothing really english left of england, i say again will you be singing their praises then?

Good luck Nick,you won't believe how many people are behind you. I am getting emails daily from Landlords who are going bust,who have no gardens,whose smokers have been thrown on the streets. \anger is growing,especially when you here of exemptions such as Spain and Denmark-these exemptions would save 1000 English pubs going bust in the next 12 months.

Go on send Nick Hogan down! And the rest that are flouting this new law, designed to protect everyone from the dangers of second hand smoke. Good luck to the councils fining those flouting the law - i hope it makes them abide by it, and i hope the councils get as much money as possible in court, as it can be used to support this ban. Noting personal about those who flout this law - but why cant EVERYONE just abide by it, as its EVERYONE that is benefiting, smokers and non-smokers alike, and even licensees! Total non-smoking is the way forward. The majority of the public say so, the Government say so, the Eu say so, and WHO say so.

good luck to the landlord this law has been rammed down our throats as a ex licencee i know all the trial and tribulations involved in running a pub now seeing the other side of the bar and travelling quite alot ive seen and heard the up heaval this law is causing and knocking one of the few pleasures of the working man hard day cig and a pint or two put the world to rights have a laugh etc british culture wheresall the new drinkers non smokers that was going to invade the pubs a phalasy lets get a fighting fund for the daring hero licencee

Good luck Nick - I honestly don't see how they can fine you without any accompanying individual fines. It's curious that in the matter of witnessing someone breaking the law the standing police advice is; don't get involved, just call the police. Yet publicans are being forced BY LAW to intervene and being fined if they don't - surely they should be merely oblidged to follow police advice and call the police if they witness someone smoking. And for the person who said the law is to prevent smoker from "contaminating us healthy people". We're talking about a pub here, it's not a health spa!!

I note from the tone anti smokers that your turning to sarcasm and name calling; so i say again if you really looked deeper into this whole farce... NOBODY is trying to take your rights away! You can have your smoke free restaurants/pubs etc etc... We're just asking that this Law be ammended slighty, so that Publicans/Self Employed people have the right to do as they wish; WITH THEIR PRIVATE BUILDING!/LIVES... AFTER ALL THE LAW STATES WORD FOR WORD...IT IS AGAINST THE LAW TO SMOKE IN AN ENCLOSED PUBLIC BUILDING!... WHERE DOES IT SAY PRIVATE BUILDING CAR PARKS / GARDENS ETC.....NOWHERE!!!!!!!!!!!! BUT I MUST SAY; THAT I KNOW 100%, WHERE BOTH SMOKERS AND TOLERANT NON SMOKERS [57% AT LEAST] WOULD GO.... TO THEIR LOCAL LANDLORD; WHERE THEY WOULD HAVE SMOKING FACILITIES INSIDE AND WHERE THE LANDLORD HAD THE FREEDOM TO CHOOSE! AFTER ALL FRANCE, SPAIN, DENMARK HAVE A CHOICE; WHY SHOULDN'T US BRITS! VISIT wwwFreedom2choose.info

This law really has to be challenged comprehensively so congratulations to Nick, Hamish and ALL for making the stand that most others (having been worne into the ground by increased rents & overheads) are unable to "defy" with the same confidence. Several people (smokers) have lost their lives as the direct result of being forced to comply with this legislation or "corporate interpretations of it". Why was the DoH tasked with this legislation and not the HSE? In their own words, they (HSE) could find no evidence that SHS contributed significantly to the raft of alledged illnesses quoted by "the pro ban lobby" as killers. Furthermore the history & evolution of the pub, Inn and even hotel is based upon the expansion of the Private House; even to the point that the supporting law which allows a licensee to eject an individual (subject to the discrimination aspects) is EXACTLY the same as private householders who wish to eject or refuse entry; and has not changed over the years. (Tell me i'm wrong ?) So the licenced premises is fundamentally a PRIVATE HOME which has additional facilities (draft beers, pool table etc) to which the public are invited in to enjoy AT THE LICENSEES ABSOLUTE AUTHORITY. We all accept that sensible workable legislation is needed (HSE, Food standards etc) to set standards in these premises. BUT what right has this (or any other) government to introduce a law which adversely affects the business viability, removes any choice on how it is operated particularly when the implementation / consultation was specifically and publically slammed by the House of Lords "impact assessment" panel. And all this when we live privately on the premises. Watch out, Alcohol quotas will be next - if it doesn't get banned.

Well done Nick and best of luck for your court appearance. You are an inspiration to all of us. This is not just about smoking....it's about freedom to choose. Where is the democracy in that?

Good luck Nick,,being a licencee myself i am backing you 100%

What do these lawbreakers think they are doing potentially risking their livelihoods? How can they choose which laws to abide by, and which ones to break? Do they sell alcohol to under 18's? Do they encourage drink-driving? I will have no sympathy if they lose their personal licence as a result of breaking the law!

KEEP FIGHTING NICK, this smoking ban will be defeated. Where is the fighting spirit of the British public, there are upwards of 15 million smokers in the UK and it is time for ALL OF THEM TO IGNORE THE BAN. If that happened the Courts would be clogged up and what would the Anti-Smoking Brigade do then. LIGHT UP FOR FREEDOM, IT GETS RIGHT UP THE ANTI's NOSES.

Good Luck Nick, so many people are backing you to do what you've wanted all along, you're day in court. I hope you can show the unjust way that this ban has been brought in. I will most definatley be popping in for a pint when i get a day off before the hearing and if your around, whatever you would like to drink is on me. KEEP FIGHTING FOR CHOICE BEFORE WE LOSE EVERY RIGHT WE HAVE.

Anti Smokers! Listen to what is being said to you....you all think its just about smoking...well its not; its about freedom of choice! Ash/WHO lied to the government about shs/passive smoking and changed figures to suit their own ends! Nobody ever died from second hand smoke; ask them to supply you with names and statistics....THEY CAN'T.....Because there aren't any..they just avoid the question like the plague! Wake up...join freedom2choose.info it will open your eyes to the truth! Publicans are losing their livelyhoods over this ban: For most it is their private building/home...They allow you the public to use it! I say to all that don't smoke...be careful whom you critisise; as one day you will have managed to shut your own local down..!!!! Then where will you be....i'll tell you shall i... Out in the fresh air that you all love so much! Oh, and when winter comes, i'll tell you like you tell us; when its freezing outside...DEAL WITH IT...go put a jumper on!.... Good Luck Nick,we're all 100% behind you!

The ban is in place to stop all of you smokers contaminating us healthy people. Everybody seems to have forgotten that and would rather jump on the band wagon and moan at the gov. I don't see all of you lot doing much about it. I really hope that the 2 landlords get the licenses revoked and people realise its the law and its there for a reason.

I wish Nick all the luck in the world for Sept 14th. He is risking his liveihood standing up for what is right and good, namely, Freedom to Choose. Wish there were more like him! Thanks a million Nick.

There is little doubt that the atmosphere in pubs is fresher and cleaner since the introduction of the smoking ban. However there is a problem in that many smokers are being alienated out to sit under gazebos in beer gardens which is hardly conducive to their well being with our predominate climatic conditions. Some smokers will vote with their feet and as a result inevitably pubs will suffer a down turn in trade from their regulars. There is a real danger that these regulars will adopt a different life style when they realise how much extra residual income they have in their pockets as a result of staying at home and drinking products from supermarkets. Traditional pubs are therefore at a cross roads in their existance not helped by the overheads heaped upon them by grasping pub companies. The smoking ban will probably exacerbate the situation. It is unlikely that there will be any change in the law in the immediate future which can reverse the inevitable downward spiral in revenue for traditional pubs, and those who complain about supermarket pricing are also doing little to tackle the real issues. Pub companies, associations and landlords of such pubs must get together and tackle head on the likelihood that they are at a dangerous cross roads and if not tackled with a united front such as making their offering more attractive to the general public, then burying their head in the sands and leaving individual landlords to face summonses for breaking/questioning the law will probably push the traditional pub trade down the road to virtual extinction.

A smokeless environment There has never been a single study showing that exposure to the low levels of smoke found in bars and restaurants with decent modern ventilation and filtration systems kills or harms anyone. http://smokersclubinc.com As to the annoyance of smoking, a compromise between smokers and non-smokers can be reached, through setting a quality standard and the use of modern ventilation technology. Air ventilation can easily create a comfortable environment that removes not just passive smoke, but also and especially the potentially serious contaminants that are independent from smoking. Thomas Laprade Thunder Bay, Ont. Ph. 807 3457258

Nick will be pleased about this and so will many freedom lovers around the country. The authorities are on very thin ice here. They may wish to look into a case in Italy where a judge has thrown out a similar prosecution ruling that it is illegal for the state to make a publican into an unpaid policeman.

The man is a hero. Why because it’s a scam, as not one person has ever died or been harmed by passive smoking, all the EEC with the WHO (World Health Organisation)wants is to “try” and eradicate smoking from the World, and they thought sopping people smoking would reduce the people smoking, but what has happed as it’s gone up in every Country that’s had a ban, can not the publicans be more like Nick, and ignore the ban, as they very well know over a 1000 pubs have closed in Ireland, and 100,00 now in the UK too are staying home to drink, and what does the EEC and the who want next, it’s want to reduce the sales of alcohol, PLEASE PUBLICANS STAND UP FOR YOUR LIVELIHOODS. Ireland Has Almost 20 000 More Smokers after the ban, http://www.otc.ie/chart.asp?image=fig_1.1.jpg http://freedom2choose.co.uk/news1.php?id=39 New Zealand smoke more after the ban, http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0612/S00091.htm Italians smoking more despite national ban, http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/20070130-0636-italy-smoking-.html Spain: Spaniards knuckle under to new smoking curbs and there are 1/2 million less smoking; THERE 1/2 MILLION LESS SMOKING IN SPAIN ??? WHEN ALL OTHER PLACES THE PEOPLE ARE SMOKING FAR MORE, BECAUSE SPAIN LETS YOU SMOKE IN THE BARS AND CLUBS. http://www.tobacco.org/news/239087.html New York has a bar smoking ban, so Smoker Numbers Rise, http://www.nysun.com/article/39753 Smoking rates up in Scotland, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2006/11/01/cnsmoking01.xml Wayne

Good luck Nick and show them the cod science the law is based on for what it is.

fight 4 it mr hogan. its an apsolute farce. i own a pub and its a disgrace that my customers 4 over 6 years have 2 go outside in a shelter that cost me over 3,500 and planning pomission 2 smoke. wheres the human rights in that. mick bell. the parks inn. buxton, derbyshire

Is anyone organising a fund to help these brave characters in their fight against an unreasonable legal intrusion into their houses? Pubs are not public places, no one has to go into them and no one has to work in them.

Hold your head up high Nick, this law is based on LIES , was introduced by idiots and is policed by Stormtroopers. One day these Council maggots will be used as bait.

What an idiot. Serves him right the stupid fool. Hope he gets life!

What a disgrace that it has come to this in this country. It is difficult enough being self-employed and trying to make a decent living for yourself without the government of the day coming along and banning half of your customers. Glad I,m now retired but best of luck to him when he gets his day in court.

The force is with you Nick Hogan in your battle against the dark side freedom2choose.inf

I wish Nick the best of luck, It is a spiteful, vindictive law based on lies and scare-mongering. The truth needs to be told. Our rights are being taken away left right and centre. The antis are in a minority and will not fill all the venues anyway. The last person to enforce the smoking ban got shot, I cannot believe with all the over the top Health and Safety laws, that you and your staff and all others in the same situation in this Country have been put in this position Bolton town looks like it's dying now without anymore closures. www.ipetitions.com/tell-a-friend.html?id=8a290f71 A blanket ban was NOT, wanted by the majority If you think this ban is wrong and you would like a voice, Please go to www.freedom2choose.info/ The new sister site to www.thebigdebate.org/ Online petition, download petitions, Debates, links so you can make your own judgment, WE NEED TO FIGHT THIS TOGETHER We need to get this ban amended to include ventilation, Please help us, with your support and donations are very welcome, large or small http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/repeal-the-ban/

Good luck to Nick, Hamish and Tony - this law is a joke based on lies - take it to the highest courts - there are millions of people supporting you all the way

As the law stands Hogan will get heavily fined, his attempt at notoriety for his business will fall like a lead balloon. Non-smokers were never given a fair crack of the whip with non-smoking pubs so why should the evil purveyors of this unhealthy habit be allowed to get away with it. The trade is doing very well without all the fumes so there should be no support for him unless the Publican sees this as a chance to challenge the law through its pages for the sake of a few renegade licensees who think they are above the law !!!

I am sure a lot of people wish Nick Hogan well and he could have a high chance of success in challenging the ban. However, it is vital that he argues his case well, since it is sure to set a legal precedent. I would suggest that those publicans who support him demonstrate this support by letters, petitions, etc.

What a pratt! Grow up and look around at the clean smoke free pubs we now have. No more going home and smelling of an ash tray, no more painting to cover the nicotine stains and no more breathing in of cancerous smoke. This is what the pub industry needed, a fresh start and a chance to welcome in NEW customers into a smoke free environment. Civil liberties, PAH, what about mine?

Another warrior, to whom I wish the best of luck. It will be interesting to learn how he intends to challenge the legislation.

i for one find the smoking ban the best thing to happen to my pub in years and i do hope that the whole weight of the system is brought down to bear and an example is made of those who think that because they don't like it they can just do what they want. ITS THE LAW JUST GET ON WITH IT

There should be more landlords doing this as they have took the smoking ban way too far now Fair play to Nick i wish him well others should also make a stand on the smoking ban It should of been left to landlords to chose if they do or dont want a smoking pub after all said and done its there profits at risk they no best for there own pub Most none smokers join the smokers outside so what is the point in the ban?

Bravo! Best of luck, it's not the government's business to tell owners how to run their businesses!

Gald he's so happy. Hope he will still be so when he loses his licence.

when is the gov uk going to see sense.the british isles are the only countries in the world to go for a total ban why do we have to be unique.

I think its a disgrace to condone a publican to flaunt the law, today its smoking, tomorrow who knows what? If he is openly breaking the law he should have his licence revoked - then maybe the law of the land would be tken more seriously especially by people who are in such a position. He should be an example to our young people & uphold the law in every respect.

I take my hat off to Nick Hogan and just wish I was as brave as him. The smoking ban is just another instance of this Nanny State government gone mad whilst the really serious issues like violent crime are being neglected. What sort of government can introduce round the clock drinking with one hand then introduce a smoking ban with the other.Double standards or what ?

It's time the whole nation stood up to take back our "PRIVATE PROPERTY" RIGHTS. This whole thing is not about "health". It's about how much more the pharmaceutical companies can reap in on their patches, inhalers, and all the other smoking cessation products they have out there and the politicians are right in there with them.

welldone to the pair for risking everything they have to challenge this ban , the rest of us are hoping that they win so that we can take advantage at their expense , shame really as if we'd all stuck together the goverment wouldnt have a cat in hells chance of enforcing this rule.