Smoke rebel Howitt has licence revoked

Smoke ban rebel Hamish Howitt has had his premises licence revoked.

Howitt, the first licensee to be fined for flouting the smoking ban, said he would lodge an appeal immediately.

The application for review at Delboys Sports Bar was sought on the grounds of prevention of crime and disorder, protection of public safety and protection of children from harm.

The council claims that trading standards and health and safety officers had uncovered problems including insecure carbon dioxide cylinders, unmaintained electrical installations, a basement staircase in a state of disrepair and damaged toilets.

The original hearing was delayed for a month to give Howitt chance to rectify the problems.

Howitt had also been caught out in a underage sting operations.

However, Howitt claims the council has revoked the wrong premises licence. He has a separate premises licence for his karaoke bar, Happy Scot, which is downstairs from Delboys.

"I think the council have messed it up,"​ he said. "The health and safety issues were in Happy Scot and not Delboys where I allow smoking.​

"My pub is safe. I am proud of what I do and feel I am being victimised.

Howitt was fined £500 and ordered to pay £2,000 costs for flouting the ban by magistrates last week and is due back in court this Wednesday on further charges of allegedly flouting the ban.

Howitt has 21 days to lodge an appeal and if accepted, can continue to trade in the meantime.

He has already put his pub on the market but has vowed to continue to allow smoking.