Don't take the law with a pinch of snuff, tenant told

A Bedford host has abandoned plans to offer a free pinch of snuff with every pint after being told the promotion would be illegal.

The "Pinch 'n' Pint" promotion at the Devonshire Arms would see customers offered a free sample of snuff when they bought a pint.

It aimed to offer an alternative way of taking tobacco when the smoking ban starts in England on 1 July.

But after reading about the promotion in the MA, anti-smoking group Action on Smoking & Health (ASH) wrote to the pub's licensee Valerie Walter saying: "I thought you ought to know that free distribution of any tobacco product is illegal under the terms of the Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act.

"You are, of course, at liberty to sell snuff. However, all forms of advertising and promotion of any tobacco product are banned by law."

MA legal expert Peter Coulson said: "I think this promotion is caught by the Act if 'pinch and pint' means it is promoting snuff."

The Charles Wells tenant now plans to sell snuff for £1.50 a tin. "The promotion was just for fun," she said.