The ban on smoking in public places was guaranteed to introduce silly stories into the media. So it was no surprise to hear about a vicar who deliberately lit his pipe in a police station, in a protest against his disappearing civil liberties.
Political protest like this don't always succeed and, indeed, this protest made no waves. Citing the incident as an environmental health issue, the police were not interested in arresting Reverend Anthony Carr, so there has been little impact. However, with even a small media interest in the story, it is possible that copycat incidents could take place elsewhere in the country.
Readers of The Times appear to be having a bit more fun with the smoking ban and have written in their thoughts:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/debate/letters/article2028319.ece
