Saturday 26 July 2008

Smokin' Mad Van Man

Gordon Williams, a painter and decorator from from Llanafan, near Aberystwyth, is the latest smoker to fall victim to the UK's increasingly draconian anti-smoking legislation.

He was stunned to find himself pulled over and fined £30 for smoking a cigarette - in his own van. According to the BBC, Mr Williams was told by zealous council officials that his van was his place of work, and, as such, he couldn't smoke there.

While it may well be true that smoking in shared company vehicles is - stupidly - contrary to the Health Fascists' fave laws, Mr Williams' unmarked blue van is his private transport. It is, he claims, insured only for social and domestic purposes, and for taking him to and from work. "I decorate houses, not vans," he added in disgusted answer to the suggestion that it was his place of work.

He has, apparently, paid the fine at the insistence of his good lady wife (I sympathise - Mrs S is just the same, always looking for the quiet life!) but still plans to challenge the fixed penalty. And so he should. If these power-crazed Nicotine Nazis think they can get away with it, they'll be bothering every smoker they clap eyes on. Good luck, Mr Williams!

Billy Seggars.

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