Smoke rebel faces £17k pay-out after failed appeal

A smoke ban rebel has been forced to put his pub up for sale after losing an appeal against previous convictions.

A High Court judge failed to overturn Tony Blows' two convictions for allowing smoking in his pub the Dog Inn, in Ewyas Harold, Herefordshire and a further charge of Blows smoking himself.

The ruling has left Blows with a £17,000 bill in fines and court costs.

He said:" I am devastated at the orders for costs which have been made without taking notice of the business's ability to pay. If I was caught smoking cannabis or snorting coke this would result in, a smack on the wrist or a warning, but smoking a legal product has resulted in costs and fines of £17,000.

"I am grateful for the support given to me from my own local community and will carry on trading, but the massive pressure from court trials and Hereford Council with their covert visits and demands etc has made me ill with worry.

"Hence why the pub is up for sale. If I can't smoke in my own home then I will go to where I can."

He added: "I maintain that since the government implemented the "smoke free" legislation without consideration for the implications to those such as me who provide a service to the community, that there have been premises closing on a daily basis all over the country."

Fellow smoke ban rebel Hamish Howitt is due back in court tomorrow in a further bid to appeal against convictions for allowing smoking in his Blackpool pub.