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Keith Richards Dodges Smoking Fine in Scotland

Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards has managed to avoid adding another line to his rap sheet, thanks to the Glasgow City Council deciding that a new law prohibiting smoking in enclosed public places does not apply to performance stages. Richards had reportedly lit up during a Stones show at Hampden Park last week.

"The stage for the concert was not of the dimensions to be covered by the smoking ban legislation in Scotland," explained a spokesman for the Glasgow City Council. "There are no plans to launch any investigation."

Immediately after the concert, the council had been singing a different tune, threatening to fine both Richards and the venue. The tough talk also mobilized the pro-smoking lobby. "This is yet another way in which the smoking ban makes Scotland look ridiculous," said Neil Rafferty, a spokesman for the Freedom Organization for the Right to Enjoy Smoking Tobacco (FOREST).

Previous victims of the new ban included actor Mel Smith, who was prevented from smoking a cigar on stage while portraying Winston Churchill in a theatrical production.

If Richards had been hit with the fine, he wouldn't have had to dig too deep in his pockets; the penalty would have been "up to" the equivalent of 95 dollars.

The Stones will be finishing up the European leg of their tour this week, then taking a few weeks off before hopping the pond and kicking off their North American tour in Boston on September 20th.

--The ARTISTdirect Staff
08.29.06