Where there’s smoke …
Oct 4 2007 by Paul James, The Journal
POP singer Shaun Ryder has landed one of Newcastle’s top music venues in hot water after smoking on stage.
The Happy Mondays singer lit the cigarette near the end of the band’s concert at the Carling Academy on Tuesday night – the second time he has smoked this year during a gig.
And yesterday council bosses said they would be visiting the venue, on Westgate Road, to make sure staff were implementing the smoke-free laws, which came into force in July.
While some theatre productions are allowed to feature smoking – to protect the “artistic integrity” of shows – that gap in the law does not apply to Ryder, famous for his debauched rock and roll past.
Earlier this year Ryder, 45, lit up at the Ritz in Manchester which was later visited by environmental health bosses to make sure it was complying with the new laws.
Academy management yesterday said they immediately approached Ryder and asked him to put out his cigarette, but Newcastle Council said its officials would be seeking talks with them.
A spokesman said: “Newcastle City Council has a legal duty to enforce smoke-free legislation to improve the health of everyone in the city.
“We will soon be seeking informal discussions with the owners of this venue asking them if they have adequate procedures in place to stop both artists and audience members breaking the law by smoking. We want to make sure the management are aware of their responsibilities to provide a smoke-free environment and we believe a firm but non-confrontational approach is the best way forward at this stage.”
Recent figures showed there was 98% compliance in the North-East with the no-smoking laws, the highest rate in the country. Ailsa Rutter, director of Fresh – Smoke Free North-East, said: “This law is about protecting the vast majority of the public, who are non-smokers, from the lethal effects of second-hand smoke.
“It applies to everybody, whether they’re a performer or not, and the Carling Academy is a workplace like anywhere else.
“The management of the Academy should ensure that all steps are in place to ensure that there is compliance with the law, which applies to everybody, including the Happy Mondays.
“The exemption is there for the West End and for theatrical performances where they can argue it would diminish their artistic integrity. However the Happy Mondays smoking on stage has nothing to do with their artistic integrity.”
Louise Kovacs, of the Carling Academy, said: “We proactively enforce the smoking ban at Carling Academy Newcastle and the policy is clearly displayed throughout the venue and communicated to all customers, staff and artists.
“We are aware of our obligation to enforce this ban and neither during or post performance by the Happy Mondays on Tuesday, October 2, did we receive any complaints or comment from anyone who attended this show.
“We are grateful for the co-operation of Shaun Ryder and the Happy Mondays following his oversight and our immediate approach to stage meant the cigarette was extinguished immediately.”
The band’s management declined to comment on the matter yesterday.
