Top Gear presenters in 'smoking gaff'

The BBC is being urged to apologise after Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson and James May appeared to ignore the smoking ban on the show.

The presenters lit up pipes on the programme during a discussion about car merchandise. But Richard Hammond, who was also on the show, decided not to light up his pipe.

A BBC spokeswoman said it had received just a couple of complaints from viewers, but she would not comment on whether or not what took place was illegal.

She said: "During an item in Top Gear, making fun of car merchandise, the presenters lit up branded pipes, which contained herbal tobacco.

"We are very upfront about the style and tone of the show, so viewers know what to expect. There were no complaints from members of the audience present during the filming."

But Amanda Sandford, spokeswoman for Action on Smoking on Health (Ash), suggested the Corporation should apologise, saying: "Smoking in a studio is illegal. Anything that causes smoke is prohibited."

The ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces in England was introduced in July, following similar laws in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland.

Flouting the law can lead to fines of up to £50 for individuals and £2,500 for businesses who allow people to smoke on their premises.

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