Hamish Howitt, who runs the Happy Scots in Rigby Road, today invited every smoker in the town to head to his bar on July 1 – the day lighting up in public places is outlawed.

The landlord, who set up his own political party – UK FAGS – to oppose the smoking ban, insists he will not pay any fine levied against him and says he will take his case to the European Court of Human Rights.
He claims stopping smoking inside pubs adds up to a "hate crime".

Mr Howitt says he will flaunt the ban when it comes into force.
He said: "As far as I'm concerned this ban isn't legal. Smokers are going to be humiliated, made to stand outside.

"To me it's a hate crime and I'm not going to take it lying down.
"I won't be stopping my customers smoking.

"They can try and fine me, they can take me to court, but I won't pay.
"I've been in touch with my lawyers and we are already preparing to take this to the Court of Human Rights.
"What is more, I think we can win."

Mr Howitt already has plans for a stand of defiance the day the ban comes into force by having an open "Smoke In".

He said: "I'm inviting people from all over the country to come and join us. The plan is for everyone to come together and light up at the same time on July 1 to show what we think of the ban." Mr Howitt, who is chairman of Blackpool Pubwatch Scheme, believes many Blackpool landlords back his stance, but will be forced to toe the line or lose their jobs.

Dave Daly, who runs The Castle in Central Drive, said he didn't agree with the ban, but would have to go along with it.

He has called on Blackpool Council to help out pub owners by allowing more social spaces, with tables and chairs, outside premises.
He said: "People gathered in doorways smoking is just going to make the town look untidy.

"In places like Bank Hey Street it won't be good for other businesses.
"I hope the council will do that and allow us to set up these areas, which it would be our responsibility to keep tidy."

Blackpool Council said it would try to avoid confrontation with licensees over the ban.
Coun Tony Williams, cabinet member for culture and communities, said: "As a council we are expected to approach smoke-free enforcement in a non-confrontational way, focusing on raising awareness and improving understanding.

"Our enforcement officers, along with the police, will work closely with local businesses to ensure that they are complying with the new laws.

"If a business is found to be in breach of the new legislation, we will issue a warning and give advice on what they need to do to comply.
"If our attempts to encourage compliance fail, then enforcement will go ahead, resulting in prosecution and, in respect of pubs, this could lead to the loss of a license to operate."

Coun Williams said concerns over anti-social behaviour were the reason pubs were not being given permission for outdoor social areas.

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