Hamish Howitt racked up huge fines and costs but his campaign was described as 'silly, misguided and pointless'
In July 2007, it became illegal to smoke inside pubs and bars across England - the decision was made on public health grounds but caused some controversy.
For Hamish Howitt, landlord of Delboy's Sports Bar and the Happy Scots Bar, the battle would lead him all the way to the High Court and end up costing him thousands of pounds, his licence and his bars. Hamish, also known as Hugh, was the first landlord to be summoned for flouting the smoking ban when he was hauled before Blackpool Magistrates Court in October 2007.
Speaking after the ruling on December 3, 2008 went against him, Hamish said: "I will abide by the decision reluctantly, but I am going to pursue this through the House of Lords and via a judicial review on human rights. I'm gutted that I lost and I think it's absurd that smoking is considered part of crime and disorder. Immediately that I got the result I had to phone the bar and tell them to shut it down.
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