Actors escape UK's smoking ban

2006-04-26 22:50

London - Actors could escape the smoking ban due to come into force in England next year if lighting up is crucial to their performance, the British department of health said on Wednesday.

Theatres, film and television crews could be exempted from the ban on smoking in enclosed public places because of worries about actors' ability to portray smokers.

A department of health spokesperson said: "The government is considering providing a specific exemption from smoke-free legislation to ensure that smoking can take place on stage during live theatrical performances, or during film and television recording, where smoking is integral to the plot or storyline.

"We will be consulting with the theatre industry on what they consider integral to the plot."

Theatre companies have voiced fears that historical well-known smokers, such as Britain's cigar-loving World War 2 leader Winston Churchill, would be tough to portray if actors were not allowed to light up on stage.

The country's public health minister, Caroline Flint, is writing to industry leaders about the ban with a view to exempting actors.

- AFP