Tobacco News and Interesting Information

July 1 will be one big celebration for at least one licensee – despite the fact that she is an enthusiastic smoker herself!

Pat Hard from the Crown Inn at Giddea Hall, near Chippenham, is laying on a band, fireworks and a piper to pipe smokers and cigarettes out of the pub on the night of June 30 as her regulars get ready for the ban.

Live music will set the scene from 10pm, before the fun starts at the stroke of midnight. A bagpiper will enter – probably playing The Last Post – and all the smokers in the bar, including Pat, will be rounded up and form a line behind the piper.

"The piper is going to play everybody outside before we put on a firework display outside," said Pat.

"I'm a smoker myself, and at first I thought the smoking ban was going to be an absolute nightmare. Now I think we're going to be fine – we're a food house and we're lucky enough to have some good areas to play with outside."

Locals at the pub have helped Pat improve the outside area, with one providing a flowerpot man with a pipe to keep smokers company.

"I hope everyone will give up on July 1," said Pat. "I'm going to see a hypnotist myself on June 7!"