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Ex-pub landlord jailed for flouting smoking ban
Mon 01 Mar 2010
The wife of a former pub landlord who has been jailed for flouting the smoking ban has spoken out against the verdict.
Nick Hogan, who used to own The Swan Hotel and Barristers' Bar in Bolton, Lancashire, allowed his customers to continue smoking on his premises after the smoking ban came into effect on July 1st 2007.
He had been fined £3,000 for breaching the law and ordered to pay over £7,000 in costs, but he refused to pay the charge.
As a result, Mr Hogan has been given a six-month custodial sentence by magistrates.
Mr Hogan's wife Denise has criticised the prison sentence, as she believes her husband is a "law-abiding" businessman who is trying to earn an honest living.
She insisted that most people who visit pubs want to smoke and that even non-smokers believe there should be a choice.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Mrs Hogan added that the laws on smoking in public places are "ridiculous".
Robert Botkai, a partner at Winckworth Sherwood Solicitors, commented: "Not liking a law is not a good defence.
"The vast majority of publicans have been prepared to enforce the smoking ban and the vast majority of customers have accepted it."
