Anti-smoking head's awkward cigar

Portugal has confirmed that casinos are subject to the ban

When Antonio Nunes had a smoke at a New Year party in Portugal, he appears to have been unaware he was defying a new ban his agency has to enforce.

The President of the Portuguese Food Standards Agency was pictured having a cigar at a casino on the outskirts of Lisbon, after the law came into effect.

Mr Nunes said he was unaware that the ban on smoking in bars, cafes and restaurants also applied to casinos.

"We will have to look into what is in the law," he told a newspaper.

Smoking bans

The restrictions, which came into Portugal on New Year's Day, are not as tough as elsewhere in Europe, but the country's ministry of health has confirmed they do cover casinos.

Portuguese bars and restaurants smaller than 100sq m (1,076sq ft) can still opt to allow smoking, provided they have adequate ventilation.

A stricter ban applies to public buildings such as offices, shopping centres and schools, but smoking rooms are allowed as long as they are clearly marked and ventilated.