Gordon Williams, 58, who had finished work for the day and was on his way to the shops, was fined £30. He said: "I was told that because my van is my place of work I had broken the smoking laws. The van is only insured for private use and to get me to and from work. It's not my place of work - I decorate houses not vans."

The grandad, of Llanafan, near Aberystwyth, Mid Wales, believes his ticket is the first of its kind issued by Ceredigion Council - the penalty notice was number 0001. Gordon, who smokes ten a day, is planning to appeal even though wife Sue, 56, has already paid the fine.

Ceredigion Council refused to comment specifically on the case but said: "The ban affects public premises including workplaces and work vehicles."

As long as I can still have my usual lunch of 8 pints of lager I can do without the fags...

Gordon's claim of 10 a day was suspect...

The original was here.