English Smoking Ban

The English government announced a ban on smoking in most public places beginning July 1.

The new law caused Clay Aiken to cancel a planned concert in London when an English promoter told him that fags would be prohibited.

The law is not expected to be enforceable, since police won't be able to detect smoke in the fog.

Cigarette advertising will still be allowed in England, where it's common to see billboards for such icons as "Marlboro Gentleman."

(OR: An ad campaign to promote quitting smoking goes: "Come Rest Ye Marlboro Gentleman")

In explaining the clamp down on smoking, a British official said: "crooked teeth, acceptable; stained, unacceptable."