Posted By halesowen Baggie While watching the BBC show ashes to ashes set in 1981 all the actors are smoking cigarettes in enclosed places (obviously to portray the way it was in the 80s). How do the BBC get away with this bearing mind the legislation that is now in force. Are they smoking fake fakes?

Posted By Ian_P The Smoke-free (Exemptions and Vehicles) Regulations 2007 were made under the Health Bill and give the following exemption in Part 2, Regulation 6: "Where the artistic integrity of a performance makes it appropriate for a person who is taking part in that performance to smoke, the part of the premises in which that person performs is not smoke-free in relation to that person during his performance." So when you're enjoying your cigarette in the pub tonight and you get confronted by a bouncer that's built like a brick outhouse, simply claim that you are a modern cenceptual artist performing a piece of art representing post-modernist Britain. It might work........or not.

Posted By Jeff Lloyd It is my understanding that performers must use fake cigarettes during rehearsals etc. but during the actual 'take' can use real cigarettes if it is deemed necessary for "artistic integrity". In such circumstances, only that specific part of the premises can be exempt from the new law, and only temporarily (during the actual performance). JL