Certain shows exempt from smoking ban
Theatrical performances will be free from the impending tobacco ban in cases where smoking is “integral to the plot or storyline,” under plans being considered by the government.
The Department of Health confirmed this week that it is considering providing a specific exemption from a ban to ensure smoking can take place during live theatrical performances and film and television recording.
Public health minister Caroline Flint is now writing to the industry, setting out the government’s intention and inviting them to contribute their views.
Smoking currently takes place on-stage in West End shows such as Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? and Billy Elliot.
A DoH spokeswoman said: “Details of the exemption will be set out in the regulations, which will be consulted on over the summer. We will be consulting with the theatre industry on what they consider integral to the plot.”
Also from The Stage
- Reviews: Billy Elliot
- Reviews: Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?
- Chit chat - You've got to be smoking
- Letters: Onstage smoking ban
- Letters: Lighten up, Marc
- Letters: All fired up
- Letters: No variety in Equity smoking policy
- Letters: No smoke without fire
- TMA attacks theatre inclusion in Scottish smoking ban
- SOLT against proposed smoking ban
- Death rates escalate anti-smoking battle
- Scottish smoking ban sparks Callow quip
- Clubland braced for job losses after smoking ban
External links
The Stage Online is not responsible for the content of external sites.
To contact the Stage news team email newsdesk@thestage.co.uk or call 020 7403 1818, selecting option 2 (editorial) followed by option 1 (newsdesk).
If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".
Follow The Stage on Twitter and Facebook to get the latest entertainment industry news to your desktop or mobile.
Latest news
- Doctor Who star Matt Smith made patron of Royal Court Young Writers Festival
- Matt Smith has been appointed as patron of the Royal Court’s Young Writers Festival.
- Christopher Eccleston joins NT Antigone
- Christopher Eccleston has been cast in the National Theatre’s forthcoming production of Antigone.
- King’s Cross Award for New Writing winner announced
- Rob Johnston has won the King’s Cross Award for New Writing 2011.
- ITV to expand characters’ storylines online
- ITV is to expand on the storylines of characters in Emmerdale, by creating content that can only be accessed online.
- Josie Rourke and Bartlett Sher to discuss directing on BBC Radio 3’s The Essay
- Directors Emma Rice, Josie Rourke and Bartlett Sher will reflect on their careers and discuss the way they work as…
- Southampton Mayflower chief executive to retire
- Dennis Hall, chief executive of the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton, is to retire after 26 years in the post.
Content is copyright © 2012 The Stage Media Company Limited unless otherwise stated.
All RSS feeds are published for personal, non-commercial use. (What’s RSS?)